Korean Job Discussion Forums

[JongnoGuru]

Is it "special thanks GO to so-and-so" or "special thanks GOES to so-and-so"?

Google shows:

-- roughly 720,000 results for "thanks goes to"
-- roughly 1,090,000 results for "thanks go to"

When I'm writing in English, I prefer to follow the established grammar rules, even where they sound formal and stuffy alongside a more popular modern-usage alternative. But this is for a speaking engagement for a smallish gathering, so I am inclined to follow Google here and use the more popular "thanks go to" whether it's technically correct or not.

People often say "A big/special thanks", in which case you'd obviously have to use "GOES", but I want to say "Special thanks go/goes to", without the indefinite article.

It's no major deal at all. But I still want to know what the grammarian pea farmers have to say about this. Any thoughts?

[Moldy Rutabaga]

To me, the use of 'thanks' as a noun suggests a shortened form of 'thank-yous', and as a plural I would say 'thanks go to whoever'. I think people might erroneously think that it depends on whether the agent being thanked is singular or plural.

If you teach conversation class, I would teach my students that because both are commonly used, not to worry about it (descriptive). But in composition class, I would try to teach the right way (prescriptive). Just my 2c.

Notice I said used as a noun. Saying "Thanks, buddy!" as an interjection is a different case, and when you very informally say "a big thanks", I think you mean this kind of usage.

Ken:>

[flotsam]

Well, one says "many thanks to" not "a thanks to" so I believe we have to assume that thanks is plural and "special thanks" does not form a singular noun phrase.

And here come the contrarians...

P.S.

[gang ah jee]

Omit the verb.

[flotsam]

[gang ah jee]

[flotsam]

[JongnoGuru]

I would like to thank the Mouldy Root for sharing his thoughts on this topic with us, and also extend a special thanks to Jetsam's Brother and the Pooch for their important contributions to the success of this thread.

Yes, "thanks" can be a shortened form, another way of saying "thank you". But not, I think, in the sense I'm using the word, which is as a synonym for "gratitude". ("gratitude you"? )

"A big/special thanks" is very common usage: 1.17 million Google results.

I can omit "go/goes" or find some other way to say the same thing. But I probably won't.

[gang ah jee]

[flotsam]

[JongnoGuru]

[Moldy Rutabaga]

[RACETRAITOR]

For nagging questions like this, go here:

www.painintheenglish.com