1. The team's success was due to her efforts.
2. The team's success was because of her efforts.
3. The team's success was thanks to her efforts.
[Can we use all the expressions? Are they the same?]
4. I have to drop by the bank to make a savings deposit.
5. I have to drop in the bank to make a savings deposit.
6. I have to drop into the bank to make a savings deposit.
[Can we use 'by,' 'in', and 'into' interchangeably without changing the meaning?]
2 is far better than 1 -- "because" is clearly setting up a cause-and-result idea in sentence 2. The word "due" has a different meaning (http://www.dictionary.com/browse/due?s=t ) although you'll hear and read this phrasing quite a bit. It just doesn't have the same cause-and-result meaning that "because" does.
3 is OK, yes.
I'd use 4 and 6; I wouldn't use 5 unless "in" were followed by "at."
1. Yes, all three expressions in the first set of sentences convey a similar meaning. They indicate that the team's success can be attributed to her efforts. However, there are slight differences in connotation:
- "Due to her efforts" suggests a direct and specific cause-and-effect relationship.
- "Because of her efforts" emphasizes the cause-and-effect relationship and implies a strong connection.
- "Thanks to her efforts" carries a sense of gratitude and appreciation for her contributions.
2. No, in the second set of sentences, "by," "in," and "into" have different meanings and usages:
- "Drop by the bank" implies a quick visit or stopping at the bank while going somewhere else. It doesn't necessarily mean entering the bank.
- "Drop in the bank" suggests entering the bank briefly, possibly for a specific purpose like carrying out a transaction.
- "Drop into the bank" implies a more deliberate and intentional visit, indicating that you plan to spend some time inside the bank for your savings deposit.
So, the meaning and level of engagement vary depending on the preposition used.