She succeeded through her own efforts.
They managed to win the game, partly through luck and partly through skill.
Thousands of working days are lost each year through illness.
thanks to used when explaining that something good has happened because of someone's efforts, or because something exists:
Today, thanks to the Internet, people can do all their shopping from home.
Thanks to advances in modern medicine, the disease can now be cured.
Reinhardt survived the war, mainly thanks to the help of a German officer who loved his music.
since (also as British English) conjunction used when giving the reason why someone decides to do something or decides that something is true:
As it was a hot day, they decided to leave all the windows open.
Since it is difficult to predict how the climate will change, it is not possible to say which countries will suffer the most.
in view of a formal phrase used when introducing the reason for someone's decision, or when saying that something is an important thing to consider:
The court decided that in view of his age, he should be released.
In view of all the research on the subject, it seems strange that so many people still smoke cigarettes.
Most British people do not want to change from the pound to the Euro. This may seem surprising in view of the fact that they often use Euros on their holidays.
out of preposition because of a particular feeling or quality:
He started reading the book out of curiosity.
She asked the question out of politeness.
Out of desperation, he tried to borrow money from his neighbour.
3. Words meaning 'but' or 'although'
but conjunction used when linking two words or phrases that seem opposite or very different in meaning:
The plant's leaves are big, but its flowers are quite small.
Her books are fascinating but often rather disturbing.
Many French dishes are basically simple, but they can take a long time to prepare.
Most of us value human life, but some people think of animals as being equally important.
although conjunction used when contrasting one clause with another in the same sentence:
Although you are in the middle of the city, you feel as if you are in the countryside.
The windmill is still in good working order, although it has not been used since the 1950s.
Although lack of sleep causes some problems, it has a relatively small effect on performance at work.
however / nevertheless conjunction used when saying something that seems very different or surprising after your previous statement. However and nevertheless are usually used when referring back to the previous sentence:
Their economy was incredibly successful in the 1980s. Since then, however, there has been a big rise in unemployment.
The town is a long way from the nearest big city. However, there is a good bus service.
A series of studies 20 years ago suggested that there was a link between watching violent films and violent behaviour. Nevertheless, the results remain highly controversial.
It was very hard digging in the dry ground, but the work was satisfying nevertheless. STUDY NOTE: Grammar
However is usually used in the middle of a sentence, separated from the rest of the sentence by commas:: Jack and his family managed to escape before the soldiers arrived. Other families in the village, however, were less lucky.
Or it comes at the beginning of a sentence: He began his academic career as a mathematician. However, his main achievements were in the field of nuclear physics. Nevertheless is usually used at the beginning of a sentence, or at the end.
whereas / while conjunction used when making comparisons and saying that something is true of one person, thing, or situation, but it is different for another. Whereas and while are used when contrasting one clause with another in the same sentence:
Taxes make up 62% of the price of a litre of petrol in France, whereas in Britain, the tax is 75%.
Some people visit their doctor once every few weeks, while others may not visit a doctor for several years.
Whereas in most of the world they drive on the right, in the UK and Japan they drive on the left.
by contrast used when making comparisons and saying that a person, thing, or situation is very different from the one you have just mentioned. By contrast is used when referring back to the previous sentence:
The surface temperature on Venus is higher than the boiling point of water. Mars, by contrast, is very cold
A report by the FBI shows that 26% of female murder victims in 1995 were killed by their husbands or boyfriends. By contrast, only 3% of male victims were killed by their wives or girlfriends.
yet conjunction used when introducing a fact that seems surprising after what you have just said:
Last summer there was a drought, yet some people were still watering their gardens every day.
We all know that fibre is important for good health. And yet all the natural fibre is removed from many foods such as white bread and sugar.
even so used when saying that something is true, in spite of a fact that you have just mentioned:
Morris's furniture is distinctly English. Even so, the sale drew a lot of American interest.
The economy continues to do well, but even so, many analysts are predicting a slowdown in the near future.
in spite of / despite preposition even though something happens or is true:
This was a dinosaur that weighed only 10 tons, in spite of being some 28 metres long.
In spite of everything that has happened, life is still getting better for many Russians.
Despite his lack of formal education, he became one of the world's leading mathematicians.
Many people are worried that cellphones may be dangerous to health, despite the fact that most of the research suggests that there is little risk.
4. Words meaning 'if'
if conjunction used when talking about the possibility that something might happen or be true:
If the scientists' predictions are correct, average global temperatures could rise by 6 degrees.
He faced a long prison sentence if the court found him guilty.
The report said that the accident could have been avoided if the correct safety procedures had been followed.
Most countries are prepared to use force, if necessary, to protect their national interests.
The patient should be kept in the same position, if possible.