In this English grammar lesson, learn how to use "thanks to" and "thanks for". "Thanks to" and "thanks for" don't have the same meaning. "Thanks to" is used to say that something or someone is responsible for something or someone. You can think of it as "because of X...Y". "Thanks to" is generally followed by a noun. "Thanks for" is used to show appreciate for something or someone. "Thanks for" can be followed by a noun or a gerund verb. It can't be followed by a base verb or infinitive. By the