Acknowledging someone had an impact on your choice of career

Question

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?

Answer 1

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.

Answer 2

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.

Answer 3

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.