Merci pour?

Question

What is wrong with merci pour votre attention meaning thanks for listening? I thought this was widely used. Thanks.

Cécile Janty-Davies · Accepted Answer

Hi Liz, 
The Académie française makes the following distinctions -
Use   Merci de 
1. When it is followed by a verb in the infinitive ( present or past)

Merci de m'avoir invité/e ! = Thanks for inviting me! 
Merci de venir à 16 heures pile. = Please come at 4 pm on the dot.

2. With  abstract nouns

Merci de votre attention ! = Thank you for listening!
Merci de votre aide ! = Thank you for your help!
Merci de votre obligeance ! = Thank you for obliging me!

3. Use Merci pour with concrete nouns

Merci pour les chocolats ! = Thanks for the chocolate!
Merci pour le cadeau ! = Thanks for the gift!
Merci pour les fleurs ! = Thanks for the flowers!

However, you will sometimes hear 'pour' used instead of 'de' with abstract nouns, and I think this is the case here.
Hope this helps!

Pamela Lynch · Answer

HI,I wondered about that too.I thought one could say ' merci de / pour votre attention.  Am I wrong?

Cécile Janty-Davies · Answer

Hi Pamela, 
As I said in my answer to Liz -
"However, you will sometimes hear 'pour' used instead of 'de' with abstract nouns, and I think this is the case here."
Bonne Continuation !