Because of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Because of" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate the reason or cause for something. Example: "The event was canceled because of the heavy rain."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Because of the greed.

The New Yorker

"Because of their age.

Independent

"Because of the rain".

The New Yorker

Because of Ryan's influence.

The New York Times - Sports

Because of stench.

The New Yorker

"Because of the history".

The New York Times

Because of competition.

The Economist

"Because of a bribe.

The New York Times

Because of three considerations.

The New York Times

Because of security?

Independent

Because of me.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "Because of", ensure that the phrase is followed by a noun or a noun phrase. Avoid following it directly with a clause; use "because" instead.

Common error

Avoid using "Because of" before a full clause (subject + verb). Instead, use "because". For example, instead of "Because of the rain is falling", say "Because it is raining".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "because of" is to act as a causal prepositional phrase. It introduces the reason or cause for a particular outcome or situation, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

8%

Science

7%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Because of" is a widely used and grammatically sound causal connector, as confirmed by Ludwig. It functions to introduce the reason behind a specific result, event or action. The phrase is appropriate for diverse writing styles, carrying a neutral tone useful in News & Media and other forms of communication. While "because of" is versatile, it must be followed by a noun phrase, not a full clause. For cases where a clause follows, use "because" instead. Alternatives like "due to" and "owing to" offer similar meanings with slight variations in formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Due to

Uses a different preposition to convey the same meaning of causation.

Caused by

Directly states that something is the reason for something else.

Owing to

A more formal synonym indicating cause or reason.

On account of

A slightly more elaborate way to express causation.

As a result of

Focuses on the consequence stemming from a cause.

By virtue of

Indicates that something is a consequence of a specific quality or action.

For the reason that

A more verbose way to introduce a cause or explanation.

In light of

Suggests that new information is the cause.

Attributable to

Implies that something can be assigned or credited to a specific cause.

Thanks to

Can indicate a positive cause, suggesting gratitude.

FAQs

How to use "Because of" in a sentence?

"Because of" should be followed by a noun or noun phrase that explains the reason for something. For example, "The game was canceled because of the rain".

What can I say instead of "Because of"?

You can use alternatives like "due to", "owing to", or "on account of" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "Because of the rain" or "Because the rain"?

"Because of the rain" is correct when "the rain" is the noun phrase causing an effect. "Because the rain" requires a verb, like in "Because the rain started, we went inside."

What's the difference between "Because of" and "Due to"?

Both "Because of" and "due to" indicate causation. "Due to" is sometimes considered more formal, but they are largely interchangeable in modern usage.