Because / Because of: indicating cause

Because / Because of

Indicating Cause

Because vs. Because of

CONJUNCTION + CLAUSE		PREPOSITION + NOUN PHRASE
Each of the following conjunctions introduces a clause stating cause (a reason). A clause by definition has a (subject + verb). The cause-clause may occur before or after the effect-clause		Each of these preposition-like expressions introduces a clause stating cause (a reason). The preposition is followed by a noun or pronoun. The cause-clause may occur before or after the effect-clause
CAUSE Because a natrual gas pipeline exploded,	EXPECTED EFFECT (OUTCOME) several homes burned down.	CAUSE Because of the gas explosion,	EXPECTED EFFECT (OUTCOME) several homes burned down. (noun)
		Because of an exploding gas line,	several homes burned down (gerund phrase)
Since gas flowed freely from the gas pipe,	water could not put out the fire.	Due to the free flow of gas,	water could not put out the fire. (noun phrase)
		Due to free-flowing gas,	water could not put out the fire. (gerund phrase)
Because the gas pipeline was so old,	it broke.	On account of the age of the pipeline,	it broke.
		On account of being so old,	the pipeline broke.
Because they delayed replacing the pipe,	the accident was likely to occur.	Owing to the delay in replacing the pipeline,	the accident was likely to occur. (noun phrase)
		Owing to delaying replacing the pipeline,	the accident was likely to occur. (gerund phrase)
CAUSE Though the firemen arrived quickly,	UNEXPECTED EFFECT (OUTCOME) they could do nothing to stop the inferno.	CAUSE Despite a quick arrival,	UNEXPECTED EFFECT (OUTCOME) the firemen could do nothing to stop the inferno. (noun phrase)
		Despite arriving quickly,	the firemen could do nothing to stop the inferno.(gerund phrase)
Even though residents smelled gas,	the pipeline was not replaced.	In spite of the resident's smelling gas,	the gas company did not replace the gas line. (noun phrase)

Also see Because/ Though Grammar Notes.
Related page: Pop-Q "Though"
Because of the fact, by virtue of the fact, in light of the fact, in view of the fact, on account of, owing to the fact, due to the fact

Due to

BECAUSE OF	DUE TO
The preposition because of is followed by a noun or a pronoun.	In some usage, due to differs from because of in that it follows a BE verb and is more similar to an adjective complement. (but not – owing to) In other usage, due to does not differ from because of.
He survived the event because of luck. (noun)	His survival was due to luck.
She loves her children because of her motherly instincts. (noun phrase)	Her motherly love is due to her instincts.

instinct (n.) – a natural tendency to behave in a particular way or a natural ability to know something, which is not learned

Noun Phrases

Reducing Clauses

Shortening a clause to a phrase

CONJUNCTION + CLAUSE			PREPOSITION + NOUN
Because introduces a clause with a verb that can be changed to a noun expression.			1) change the pronoun to a possessive form; 2) change the clause to a noun phrase (or gerund).
ADVERB because	SUBJECT/ PRONOUN they	CLAUSE are coming at five	ADVERBIAL PREP because of	POSSESSIVE NOUN their	NOUN PHRASE arrival / coming at five
because	he	was driving without his ID card.	because of	his	driving without his ID card.
because	she	spent her money on shoes	because of	*[her]	spending all her money on shoes
because	he	reached his goal	because of	*[his]	reaching his goal
because	the bank	closed	because of	the bank's	closing /closure

* If the possessive pronoun is redundant, it can be omitted.

"BE" Verbs

CLAUSE			SHORTENED TO A PHRASE
Because can also introduce a clause with a BE verb that can be changed to a noun expression.			1) change the pronoun to a possessive form; 2) change the clause to a noun phrase (or gerund).
ADVERB because	SUBJECT/ PRONOUN the wine	CLAUSE was very dark red	ADVERBIAL PREP because of	POSSESSIVE NOUN the wine's	NOUN PHRASE dark, red color (noun phrase) being dark red (gerund phrase)
because	she	was very tired	because of	her	tiredness (noun phrase) / being tired (gerund phrase)
because	he	is very old	because of	his	advanced age (noun phrase) being old (gerund phrase)
because	he	had been frightened	because of	his	fright (noun) having been frightened

Related pages While walking (before, after, while, when, since) | Because Clauses (because – same time & earlier)

Common Mistakes

ERROR	FIX
"Because of it is coming soon news coverage of the election is increasing."	Because of the upcoming election, news coverage of it is increasing. Use a noun phrase after because of: the upcoming election (See Noun Phrases above.) Use the noun election in the first clause and the referring pronoun in the second clause. Always mention the noun first before using a referring pronoun such as it.
Due to it's raining here, we can't go. Due to it being rain here, we can't go. Use a noun.	Due to the rain here, we can't go. There is no noun phrase that can replace it, so rephrase the sentence.

ERROR

FIX

"Because of it is coming soon news coverage of the election is increasing."

Because of the upcoming election, news coverage of it is increasing.

Use a noun phrase after because of: the upcoming election (See Noun Phrases above.)
Use the noun election in the first clause and the referring pronoun in the second clause. Always mention the noun first before using a referring pronoun such as it.

*Due to it's raining here, we can't go.
*Due to it being rain here, we can't go.
Use a noun.

Due to the rain here, we can't go.

There is no noun phrase that can replace it, so rephrase the sentence.

*Yellow highlighting indicates example of incorrect usage.
Pop-Q – "because of"

Practice 1

Complete the sentence

Use a clause or a noun phrase?

Select the connector from the menu that best completes the sentence.
Compare your response to the answer on the right.

#	YOUR RESPONSE	FEEDBACK
1.	Because of , people had to run from the area.
2.	Because , they didn't know that there was a big fire.
3.	The destruction was due to .
4.	Some family pets were left behind because .
5.	Several people escaped on account of .
6.	The gas pipeline had not been replaced since 1956 owing to .
7.	Even though , the pipeline was not replaced.
8.	Now, people everywhere want to know where underground pipelines are located because of .
9.	People will eventually move back into this neighborhood and rebuild their homes in spite of .
10	The neighborhood has come together because of

Practice 2

Complete the sentence

Use an adverb or a phrasal preposition?

Select the word form from the menu that best completes the sentence.
Compare your response to the answer on the right.

#	YOUR RESPONSE	ANSWER
11.	Neighbors were helping other neighbors the accident.
12.	Firemen tried to put out the fire they had no way to shut off the gas flow.
13.	Some people will not return to this neighborhood their homes were not burned.
14.	new laws, cities will be forced to replace worn out utilities such as gas pipelines.
15.	A number of cities will need to find ways to repair utilities (infrastructure) having little money.

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