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In the acknowledgements section of my thesis, I just wrote:

I would like to thank my supervisor X [...]. To a large extent, it is to his credit that I found my way into the field of Y and I am very grateful for it.

It is to his credit does not sound right to me, but I cannot seem to find a better expression. What I am trying to say is that he is responsible for me getting into the field, or that it is his fault - but it should sound much more positive of course.

Is there a better phrase for what I am trying to say?

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    "It is because of him that I found...." ??
    – CinCout
    Jan 4, 2017 at 11:52
  • @CinCout Thanks! Yes, that would be an option, but it sounds a bit too pedestrian in my ears. I'd like to emphasize that he deserves credit for this. If it's the only suitable phrase I'll take it though. Jan 4, 2017 at 12:01
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    because of him, because of his guidance, encouragement, etc. But "to a large extent it is to his credit that" is verbose.
    – TimR
    Jan 4, 2017 at 12:08
  • @TRomano Is it only verbose or is it wrong, in your opinion? Jan 4, 2017 at 12:08
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    "because of him" or "thanks to him" are colloquial but not "pedestrian", whereas "to a large extent it is to his credit that" has trouble crossing the street.
    – TimR
    Jan 4, 2017 at 12:14

3 Answers 3

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There are many ways to express this, but to focus on the ways that use the words and expressions in your example:

"To a large extent" is fine. It's a standard idiom that means "mostly" and works in this context.

However, "to his credit" seems a bit off. I credit someone with something positive, for example:

I credit him with helping me invent the rotary engine.

But "to his credit" describes a positive attribute or action of that person, and not necessarily what he has accomplished for someone else. It's also often used as an excuse for some other, less positive attribute:

He's not a good speaker, but to his credit, he always speaks the truth.

So in this context I would say something like:

I would like to thank my supervisor, Mr. Rogers. To a large extent I credit him with helping me find my way into the field of theoretical physics.

"I am very grateful for it" is fine but awkward. You can say instead, "for which I am very grateful". The reason I say awkward is because it's not clear what the pronoun "it" refers to. If you like you can state it explicitly:

I am very grateful for his help.

Other ways to express the same sentiment:

I would like to thank Bob Marley. For the most part, it was due to his encouragement that I got into the music industry and I owe him a debt of gratitude.

I would like to thank Arnold Schwarzenegger. It was largely because of his example that I chose to become a professional bodybuilder, and for that I am very grateful.

I would like to thank the Queen of England, without whose inspiration and advocacy I would never have been able to become monarch of my own country. For this I owe her eternal thanks.

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  • Why do you say "whose" not "her" please ? Jan 4, 2017 at 16:10
  • I'm not sure of the exact grammar term for it, but it's the pronoun in the subordinate phrase that refers back to "the Queen". If I was starting a new sentence I would use "Her" instead.
    – Andrew
    Jan 4, 2017 at 16:15
  • "It's also often used as an excuse for some other, less positive attribute" - I have suspected as much - thanks for clearing this up, and for the useful examples. Jan 4, 2017 at 17:07
  • @MathiasMüller You are welcome. I added a bit more to my answer to clarify a few points.
    – Andrew
    Jan 4, 2017 at 17:14
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Original:

I would like to thank my supervisor X [...]. To a large extent, it is to his credit that I found my way into the field of Y and I am very grateful for it.

Revision:

I would like to thank my supervisor X [...]. To a large extent, it is due to his mentoring that I found my way into the field of Y and I am very grateful for his encouragement.

Not sure this is better, but it is what I would say.

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  • Thanks for your answer! I have accepted Andrew's answer because it is more comprehensive. Jan 4, 2017 at 17:22
  • This is not a contest and I am happy you found what works for you!
    – WRX
    Jan 4, 2017 at 17:45
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Desiring to express how thankful you are for someone who helped you get into your field. Here are some examples:

I would like to thank my supervisor X [...]. To a large extent for helping me find my way into the field of Y and I am very grateful for it.

I would like to thank my supervisor X [...]. To a large extent, who helped me find my way into the field of Y and I am very grateful for it.

Or, simply:

I would like to thank my supervisor X [...]. To a large extent to him for having helped me find my way into the field of Y and I am very grateful for it.

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  • Thanks for your answer! I'm not sure your suggestions go well together with "to a large extent", e.g. I don't think being "thankful to a large extent" is a valid phrase, is it? I am not sure whether "all merits go to someone" is a phrase either, where did you find it? Jan 4, 2017 at 12:06
  • Oh, I thought there was an end point after "extent". Haha, sorry, I will edit it in order to adapt it to the: To a large extent. Oh, yes, it's a phrase, it is most likely used in army contexts, the word 'merit' is hardly used in daily speeches.
    – Davyd
    Jan 4, 2017 at 12:10
  • I am sorry but your examples still seem odd, I know for a fact that they are not fluent English sentences. Using the phrase "help/helping" is a good suggestion though. Jan 4, 2017 at 17:25

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