Use the word because of in a sentence for each word

due to vs because pf

The phrases due to and because of both show a cause-and-effect relationship. However, they are not grammatically equivalent in the English language.

So what exactly is the difference between these two phrases, and why can’t you use them interchangeably?

The short answer is that the phrases because of and due to are different parts of speech, even though they’re both prepositional phrases.

Because of functions as an adverb, which we use to modify verbs, so it should only come after a verb. Due to functions as an adjective, which we use to modify nouns, so it should only come after a noun.

This article will explain the full difference between due to vs because of and help you remember when to use each phrase.

What’s the Difference Between Due to vs Because of?

Both due to and because of present reasons for something to be true. The real difference is that due to should be used to present a reason for a noun, while the phrase because of should be used to present a reason for a verb or an adjective.

due to vs because of definition

You must decide whether you are modifying a noun, verb, or adjective to determine which phrase to use. In the following example, it is the noun growth that’s being modified:

  • The tree’s growth is due to nutrient-rich soil.

We can restructure the sentence to use a verb phrase. In the following example, it is the verb grows that’s being modified:

  • The tree grows because of the nutrients in the soil.

Because growth is a noun and grows is a verb, the first sentence needs to use due to while the other needs to use because of.

To understand why this difference exists, we need to take a closer look at the grammatical role each of these phrases plays in a sentence.

Is Because of a Preposition?

The phrase because of is an adverbial prepositional phrase. In other words, because of functions as an adverb in a sentence, and it should be used to modify verbs or adjectives.

Think of some common adverbs you know, like quickly or really. These words are used to provide extra information about a verb or adjective.

For example, you might say “She left quickly” or “He was really handsome.” In these examples, left and handsome are the words being modified.

You can use because of after a verb or verb phrase, just like quickly and really. For example, you might say “She left because of her early curfew” or “He was handsome because of his great skincare routine.”

Is Due to a Preposition?

Due to is a prepositional phrase, just like because of. However, it’s an adjectival prepositional phrase, not an adverbial prepositional phrase. In other words, due to functions like an adjective in a sentence.

Think of some common adjectives you know, like annoying or long. These words are used to provide extra information about a person, place, or thing—in other words, to provide information about a noun entity. For example, you might say “The traffic jam is annoying” or “The delay was long.”

You can use due to after a noun or noun phrase, just like annoying or long. For example, you might say “The traffic jam is due to construction work” or “The delay was due to a miscommunication between the two teams.”

How to Use Due to (with Examples)

Whenever you want to explain the reason for something, and you’ve phrased that thing as a noun, you can use due to between the noun and the reason behind it.

For example, consider the sentence: “My success is due to hard work and perseverance.” In this case, “success” is the noun, and “hard work and perseverance” are the reasons that explain that success.

When an adjective comes after the noun it modifies, you usually need a linking verb, like was or is, between the noun and the adjective. That’s why you’ll often see due to used immediately after a to be verb.

Here are some other examples of how to use due to in a sentence:

  • The restaurant’s failure was due to poor money management.
  • The smoke in the air was due to a wildfire in the nearby forest.
  • The bright yellow color of my homemade soup is due to the turmeric that I add to the recipe.

How to Use Because of (with Examples)

Because of functions the same way as due to, except it should come after a verb or an adjective, instead of a noun.

For example, consider the sentence: “I succeeded because of hard work and perseverance.” In this case, “succeeded” is the verb, and “hard work and perseverance” are the reasons that explain that verb.

Alternatively, you can also use this sentence: “I am successful because of hard work and perseverance.” In this example, “successful” is an adjective being modified.

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Here are some other examples of how to use because of in a sentence:

  • The restaurant failed because of poor money management.
  • The air was smoky because of a wildfire in the nearby forest.
  • My homemade soup looks bright yellow because of the turmeric that I add to the recipe.

Can You Start a Sentence with Because of or Due to?

You may have heard the myth that you shouldn’t begin a sentence with a preposition. However, there’s no rule against starting a sentence with a preposition.

As a result, it’s perfectly okay to start a sentence with because of. Just invert the structure of a sentence that has because of in the middle. For example, we can easily invert the examples above:

  • Because of poor money management, the restaurant failed.
  • Because of a wildfire in the nearby forest, smoke filled the air.
  • Because of the turmeric that I add to the recipe, my homemade soup looks bright yellow.

how to start a sentence with because of

Starting a sentence with due to is much less common, since it needs a noun or pronoun to modify. These sentences sound much more awkward in an inverted form, and require you to phrase them in an unnecessarily wordy way.

If we try to invert our first example from the previous section, we get: “Due to poor money management, the restaurant’s failure was.” This sentence is not technically incorrect, but unless you want to sound like Yoda from Star Wars, it’s safer to avoid using due to at the beginning of a sentence.

Conclusion on the Difference Between Due to vs Because of

Now you know the difference between due to and because of!

These two expressions are often used interchangeably in conversational English, so don’t worry too much about incorrect usage when you’re speaking. And as long as you know whether you’re writing about a noun or a verb, you’ll be able to choose the right words in your writing.

If you’re not sure which one to use, you can always run your writing through ProWritingAid’s Grammar Check, which will ensure that all your sentences are using the correct parts of speech.

Have you tried  ProWritingAid  yet? What are you waiting for? It’s the best tool for making sure your copy is strong, clear, and error-free!

Start A Sentence With Because

Can you start a sentence with because? Yes, of course, you can.

You probably won’t use it very often. But when you do, you need to be careful and make sure you use it correctly.

There is a simple way to check that your grammar is correct when you use the word because.

Just ask yourself if what you wrote is a complete sentence or a sentence fragment.

What is because?

In grammar, because is categorized as a conjunction.

It means a word that connects clauses or sentences or coordinate words in the same clause.

Common conjunctions you use all the time are for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and so.

You often see these types of words called linking words.

I think that is easier to understand.

They are the glue that links two ideas together in one sentence.

A conjunction or linking word expresses a connection.

It can mean addition, contrast, comparison, emphasis, time sequence, or reason.

When you use the word because you are expressing a reason.

Let’s look at how you can use it.

Indicating reason with because

We use the word all the time to connect actions with reasons.

You could write each part in a separate sentence. But it usually reads quite badly.

It rained. I forgot my umbrella. I got wet.

We can quickly improve it by using linking words.

For a reason, because, so, and therefore are the three most common words we use.

It rained, and because I forgot my umbrella, I got wet.

I forgot my umbrella, and it rained, so I got wet.

I forgot my umbrella, and it rained; therefore, I got wet.

When you use a linking word in a sentence, it’s easy to join your ideas together.

But what about at the beginning of a sentence?

How to start a sentence with because

The number one problem you will encounter when you start a sentence with because is that you will often create a sentence fragment.

It means that a sentence is incomplete because it is missing one of the two main elements: a subject and a verb.

Here’s a simple example.

“Why didn’t you go?”

“Because of the rain.”

The answer to the question is a sentence fragment. There is no subject or verb.

It’s so easy to fix this type of error. All you need to do is add a subject and verb.

“Why didn’t you go?”

“Because it rained.”

Once you know that you need a subject and verb, you can structure your sentences correctly.

This makes it possible to start a sentence with because any time you like.

Because it was raining, I didn’t go.

It is worth noting that in some cases, answering a why question with because, as in the first example, is not always incorrect.

However, it is more acceptable in speaking than in writing.

More ways to use because to start a sentence

The most common use in writing is using because as a subordinate conjunction.

It means that you connect a subordinate clause and the main clause.

Now you can avoid a sentence fragment by using because in a subordinate clause.

All you have to remember is to include a comma between the subordinate and main clause.

Because of the rain, I didn’t go to the picnic.

There are many ways you can use this structure, with or without a verb and subject.

Because of the salary, I decided to leave the job after only a few months.

Because I was on such a poor salary, I decided to leave the job after only a few months.

Because of the traffic, I prefer to take the train to work each day.

Because he is only five-foot-six, Jimmy didn’t qualify for the police force.

You can see how easy it is to start a sentence with because and be correct every time.

One small word of warning

I’m sure you know that when you use a subordinate and main clause, you can reverse the order of the sentence.

It’s an easy way to rewrite a sentence to add variety.

So I’ll change the order of the earlier example sentences.

I decided to leave the job after only a few months because of the salary.

I decided to leave the job after only a few months because I was on such a poor salary.

I prefer to take the train to work each day because of the traffic.

Jimmy didn’t qualify for the police force because he is only five-foot-six.

Can you see a minor difference?

Yes, the comma has disappeared.

When you start a sentence with the main clause, there is no comma before because in the subordinate clause.

Summary

There is no reason at all to avoid using a conjunction to start a sentence.

You can use any of them.

But you do need to be aware of the small traps that they can create.

As long as you check and make sure your sentences are complete and that they make sense, you’ll be fine.

But with because, make sure you follow it with a subject and verb.

If not, use a comma to join it to the following main clause.

Because you want to write well, I’m sure you will check carefully now.

Related reading: A Comma Before Because After A Negative Clause

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Use of the word because as a subordinating conjunction — to link a main clause to a subordinating clause — should be simple, but a sentence’s meaning often hinges on whether it’s preceded by a comma.

A straightforward sentence such as “We’re off to see the wizard because of the wonderful things he does” requires no comma; the meaning of this sentence — “This is what we’re doing, and that is why we’re doing it” — is unambiguous. But when the sentence begins with a negative proposition, that’s not the case, as these examples show:

1. “Few adult Romanians speak English because it was forbidden during the Ceausescu era.”
This sentence, as (not) punctuated, absurdly implies a meaning of “This is not the primary reason adult Romanians speak English,” accompanied by the expectation of a follow-up sentence identifying one or more other causes for bilingual ability despite its prohibition.

But it doesn’t mean “There are more common reasons adult Romanians speak English”; it means “This is the reason few adult Romanians speak English.” Insert a comma, and the sentence tells you what, and then tells you why: “Few adult Romanians speak English, because it was forbidden during the Ceausescu era.”

2. “They don’t want to diagnose or treat Lyme disease because it is very costly to do so.”
Oh. Then why do they want to diagnose or treat Lyme disease? Again, a comma makes it clear that this sentence doesn’t serve to set up one or more alternate reasons; rather, the subordinating clause provides an explanation for the reluctance: “They don’t want to diagnose or treat Lyme disease, because it is very costly to do so.”

3. “Dementia can’t be ignored by the larger community because individuals with the disease cannot manage independently.”
Why, then, can dementia be ignored? That’s not what the sentence is trying to tell you. It’s explaining why the general populace should attend to the affliction: “Dementia can’t be ignored by the larger community, because individuals with the disease cannot manage independently.”

4. “I wouldn’t recommend chicken pox parties because of the risk.”
Tell me, then, why you would recommend them? (Aside: Said parties are often organized by groups of parents to deliberately expose their kids to chicken pox to get it over with.) The subordinate clause explains the statement in the main clause: “I wouldn’t recommend chicken pox parties, because of the risk.”

5. “The model couldn’t be applied to other sectors because it evolved to care for water, not civilization’s infrastructure.”
The implication is that the model could be applied to other sectors, but not for the reason stated. But the point is that it couldn’t be applied, and the reason follows: “The model couldn’t be applied to other sectors, because it evolved to care for water, not civilization’s infrastructure.”

See how a comma’s presence or absence can drastically change a sentence’s meaning? Sometimes, it’s important even when the sentence doesn’t begin with a negative proposition: “I know he got the biggest raise in the department because his wife told me” reads as if the writer is aware that the person got the raise because the person’s wife told the writer that the person got the raise — and the sentence turns into a Moebius strip. A comma nips this perpetual-motion machine in the bud: “I know he got the biggest raise in the department, because his wife told me.”

Because: meaning and use

Because introduces clauses of cause and reason. It is a subordinating conjunction. This means that the clause it introduces is a subordinate clause, which needs a main clause to make it complete. We use a comma when the subordinate clause comes before the main clause:

[main clause]Everyone left early because [subordinate clause]Mark and Helen had an argument.

[subordinate clause]Because they were so tired, [main clause]they went to bed at 9 pm.

Warning:

We don’t use for or why instead of because when we are giving reasons:

I’m going to go to the company’s head office on Monday because there is an emergency meeting there.

Not: … to the company’s head office on Monday for/why there is an emergency

Because of

Because of is a two-word preposition meaning ‘as a result of’:

Because of the rain, the tennis match was stopped.

There were so many people in the shop because of the sale.

Cos

Cos, a short form of because, is pronounced /kəz/ or /kɒz/ and can also be spelt ’cause. It can be used instead of because (and cos of instead of because of). We often use it in speaking, emails and text messages, especially in informal situations:

A:

Why are you and Adam not talking to each other?

B:

Cos he’s always saying nasty things about me.

I don’t eat meat cos I love animals.

They cancelled the trip cos of the snow.

Just because, simply because

We can emphasise because with just or simply:

Just because you’re the boss, it doesn’t mean you can be rude to everyone.

I don’t want to do it simply because I think it’s wrong.

One of the biggest issues, when you are writing an essay or an article, is using the word because too many times. This word connects two sentences and is called a conjunction. It helps present arguments, reasons and shows the relationship between two sentences. Of course, there are other words for because that have the same effect but can improve the stylistic outcome of your writing.

Why Choose Other Words for Because

Finding the right words to use instead of because can help you refine your language. It also prevents repetition in your vocabulary. When it comes to college papers and assignments, especially, good writing helps you earn better grades.

Sometimes, replacing the word because or eliminating it entirely can even help you manage the word count of your writing. This is crucial when you have to write shorter essays and make an impact with the content. You can use fewer words, be more direct with your messaging and keep the readers engaged.

The simplest way to prevent reusing the word is to use a direct replacement word for because. Here is a list of other words to use instead of because:

  • As: She walked alone because as she had no friends.
  • Being that: Because Being that he was late, he missed the beginning of the movie.
  • Since: He became slimmer because since he started cycling regularly.
  • Given that: Life expectancy has increased because given that medical care is better today.
  • Now that: We started the show because now that the band had arrived.
  • On the grounds that: Your story was rejected because on the grounds that it wasn’t suited to our theme.
  • For: He did not perform well because for he did not study well.
  • Since that: These flowers are expensive because since that they are rare.
  • Considering that: Because Considering that he wakes up late, he will not make it at 6AM.

Words Like Because

There are some words instead of because that can be used when you are writing. However, these words cannot replace the word exactly. These words allow you to imply the same meaning of the sentence without using the word because. Although the following are more words for because, you may have to reframe the sentence for it to retain its meaning:

  • So:

With because: I passed the test because I studied.

With so: I studied. So I passed the test.

  • Hence:

With because: We left early because it was a long drive.

With so: It was a long drive. Hence, we left early.

  • Therefore:

With because: Because she is tall, she can reach the higher shelves.

With therefore: She is tall, therefore she can reach the higher shelves.

When to Use Because And its Synonyms

The word because is used to point out the reason for an action. It is also used to connect sentences, hence serving as a conjunction. However, the various appearances or synonyms of because can’t be used just anyhow. Due to its various uses, Some are acceptable in an informal way while others are acceptable only in formal settings. In view of the facts stated before, check the following example

For example,

Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow will die

The use of for in this statement cannot be easily substituted for other forms of because.

If words like hence and as a result of were used, it changes the meaning as well as the grammatical accuracy of the statement.

Let us eat and drink, hence we die tomorrow

Let us eat and drink, therefore we die tomorrow

Due to the number of examples stated before, it should be noted that the various use of because and its synonyms must be carefully used.

Other Words For Because Of

Because of also signifies a consequence like the word because. However, it is a two-word proposition. The difference between ‘because’ and ‘because of’ is that the former is followed by a subject and a verb while the latter is followed by a noun or noun phrase.

For example:

He had to run faster because he was being chased by the dog.

He had to run because of the dog chasing him.

Here are some of the most common phrases or other words than because of that can be used to replace it directly in a sentence:

  • Owing to
  • On account of
  • Out of
  • As a consequence of
  • As a result of
  • Considering
  • For
  • For the sake of
  • In view of

The Best Because Transition Words

Because and because of are known as transition words because they are able to connect two sentences. Transition words are used to make content more readable. Using because transition words help prevent overusing the word.

When choosing transition words that mean because, you need to remember that they must signify a consequence or a reason. You can connect two sentences effectively by using the following that mean because in other words:

  • Forasmuch as
  • Consequently
  • Thereupon
  • Under these circumstances
  • As a result
  • Thus
  • For that reason
  • For this reason

All the words to use besides because that are mentioned in the previous can also be considered transition replacement words for because. However, you need to make sure that the sentences are structured and used in the right format so that the replacement words are able to convey the same meaning.

Can You Start a Sentence With Because?

A formal sentence does not permit the use of because at the beginning of a sentence, owing to so many reasons. Inasmuch as it is in informal writings only, with the right use of prepositions, it is very acceptable.

However, owing to some reasons like the context of the word and the various synonyms of because. The word because and its synonyms can fit some forms of formal writing at the beginning.

In the use of because or it’s equivalent, Either a positive or negative outcome of using it at the beginning of formal writing lies in how the reader or the examiner views the writing.

Choosing Words To Replace Because

When you are choosing words that replace because you need to make sure that they are chosen correctly.  The goal should not be to merely pick words that mean because since you wish to avoid repetition. You need to take care of two more details:

  • Avoid redundancy: Sometimes, you cannot just find words that replace because. You may have to use phrases. They tend to cause redundancy and unwanted use of extra words that can make reading less pleasurable.
  • Increase readability: This is one of the primary goals of choosing other words instead of because. It helps you break down the sentences to make them easier to read. Because connects sentences but can also make them very complex.

Whenever you choose words for your writing, you need to think of making the text targeted effectively. Second, the content should be optimized for better reach and interest among readers.

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