In a previous lesson, we learned to use из-за for negative outcomes. When an external factor leads to a success, achievement, or positive result, Russian uses благодаря ("thanks to").
Благодаря + Dative Case
The preposition благодаря always takes the Dative case. Notice how feminine nouns like поддержка (support) end in -е in the Dative, while masculine nouns like совет (advice) take -у.
| Thanks to the support of colleagues, we solved the problem. | Благодаря поддержке коллег мы решили проблему. |
| Thanks to your advice, I have a good job. | Благодаря твоему совету у меня есть хорошая работа. |
To credit groups of people, like developers (разработчики), use the Dative plural (which typically ends in -ам or -ям).
| Thanks to the developers, the program works quickly and without mistakes. | Благодаря разработчикам программа работает быстро и без ошибок. |
Hard Work and Technology
We frequently use благодаря to talk about abstract drivers of success, like a team's effort (усилие).
| Thanks to the efforts of the team, this is a successful project. | Благодаря усилиям команды это успешный проект. |
It is also perfect for discussing the benefits of modern technology (технология), devices like the smartphone (смартфон), and the free access (доступ) to knowledge (знание) they provide.
| Thanks to modern technologies, development is going quickly. | Благодаря современным технологиям развитие идёт быстро. |
| Thanks to the smartphone, we have access to information. | Благодаря смартфону у нас есть доступ к информации. |
| Thanks to knowledge and efforts, we have free time. | Благодаря знаниям и усилиям у нас есть свободное время. |
