idioms - Difference between "due to" and "thanks to"


When should "due to" be preferred over "thanks to", and vice versa? When can they be used interchangeably?



Answer



Thanks to has a positive connotation (unless used sarcastically). Due to is more neutral - it can have both a negative and a positive connotation.



We postponed our vacation plans due to the oil spill.


It was due to Dwight's efforts that this question was asked.


It was thanks to Dwight's efforts that this question was asked.



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