Grammar-Quizzes › Connectors › Connective Prepositions › Because / By
Because of / By
Indicating cause versus method or means
Cause vs. Method
| BECAUSE / BECAUSE OF | |
|---|---|
Because (since, as, though) and because of (due to, on account of) are connective double-prepositions that relate additional, nonessential information to the main clause. Because is complemented by a clause (Cls) and because of is complemented by a noun phrase (NP) that states a reason (cause) for the effect stated in the main clause. |
|
| EFFECT | CAUSE |
| MAIN CLAUSE | CONNECTOR + NOUN PHRASE |
Demonstrators protested |
because of their dissatisfaction. |
Demonstrations arose/ occurred/ happened |
because of dissatisfaction. |
The government responded |
because of the work stoppage in the city. |
Protesters created banners in English |
because of the international news cameras. |
World leaders are speaking out |
because they see potential problems. |
Students coordinated plans quickly |
because of text messaging. |
Change resulted² |
because of the "grass roots" movement. |
| BY / WITH | |
|---|---|
By and with are prepositions that can express a means or method for a particular action that someone or something does. With is followed by a noun phrase (NP) that denotes an instrument or tool. By is followed by a gerund clause that expresses a method for doing something. |
|
| ACTION | MEANS OR METHOD |
| MAIN CLAUSE | PREPOSITIONAL PHRASE |
Demonstrators protested
|
with a march in Tahrir Square. by marching in Tahrir Square. |
Demonstrations arose¹. (occurred, happened, took place) |
Intransitive Verbs: are never passive (no by-clause is possible) |
The government responded
|
with an announcement of elections by announcing new elections. |
Protesters created banners signs |
with large sheets. by painting large sheets. |
World leaders are speaking out |
with appearances on television. by appearing in news conferences. |
Students coordinated plans quickly |
with text messaging. by using text messaging. |
Change resulted |
with the formation of a council. by forming a temporary council. |
"grass roots" movement – action taken from the bottom up rather than from the top (leadership) down
¹These verbs are intransitive and are not used with objects ("recipients" or "beneficiaries") , cannot form passive, do not take a by-clause (agent) . See Intransitive Verb – Never Passive
Related pages By + Gerund (means) Because / of
Because of / By
Cause vs. Agent
Cause vs. Agent
| BECAUSE / BECAUSE OF | |
|---|---|
Because (since, as, though) and because of (due to, on account of) are connective prepositions that relate additional, nonessential information to the main clause. Because is complemented by a clause (Cls) and because of is complemented by a noun phrase (NP) that states a reason (cause) for the effect stated in the main clause. |
|
| EFFECT | CAUSE |
| MAIN CLAUSE (PASSIVE) | CONNECTOR + NOUN PHRASE or CLS |
People were hurt |
because of the violence. (NP) |
Protesters were stopped |
because of the tanks. (NP) |
The protesters were stopped |
because the tanks blocked them. (Cls) |
Some protesters were injured |
because of conflicts on the street. (NP) because of protester clashes. (NP) |
Neighboring countries were worried |
because there were rumors of unrest. (Cls) |
| BY + AGENT | |
|---|---|
A by phrase may be added in a passive clause to include the agent (doer/source) of the action. The agent is often a person or persons, but the agent may also be inanimate. Also see By-Phrases. |
|
| SITUATION | AGENT |
| MAIN CLAUSE (PASSIVE) | PREPOSITIONAL PHRASE |
People were hurt |
by violent protesters |
Protesters were stopped |
by military tanks. |
The protesters were stopped |
by the military. |
Some protesters were injured |
by other protesters by opposing demonstrators. |
Neighboring countries were worried
|
by rumors about the unrest. by news reports about the unrest. |
connective prepositional phrase — People were hurt connective prep phrase [prep because content clause[ they could not get away.]]
adjunct — elements not required by an expression to complete its meaning
clash – fights, conflicts, disagreements
unrest – restlessness, political trouble, disturbance (riots, demonstrations)
Also see Because/Though (Grammar Notes) and By Phrases.
Common Mistakes
Errors and Solutions
Error and Solution
| ERROR |
|---|
*The floods resulted by the rising sea water. |
*The president resigned from office by the citizens' protest.
|
| SOLUTION |
|---|
The floods resulted from the rising sea water. phrasal verb |
The president resigned from office by announcing… means & method |
Pop-q – "by-because"
Practice 1
Cause vs. Means and Method
Complete the logic of the sentence.
- Select the response from the list that best completes the sentence.
- Compare your response to the feedback by clicking the "check" or "check 1-10" button.
Practice 2
Cause vs. Agent of the Action
Cyclone Yasi, about the size of Italy and carrying winds of up to around 300 km
per hour, threatened Australia with its second major natural disaster in two months.
Complete the sentence with a logical expression.
- Select the response from the list that best completes the sentence.
- Compare your response to the feedback by clicking the "check" or "check 11-17" button.