On account of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "On account 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 on account of the severe weather conditions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The car had jammed on account of me...

The New Yorker

"The page is turning on account of globalization," Carter said.

Huffington Post

On account of the hail?

The New Yorker

"On account of my rash".

The New Yorker

"On account of my back," Harris said.

The New Yorker

"On account of my asthma".

The New Yorker

On account of the people with pencils.

The New Yorker

On account of being fictional ninja turtles.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

On account of she was holding money for you.

The New Yorker

On account of fever and bloodsuckers, mean conditions all around.

The New Yorker

On account of my approaching middle age, Lynn?' Er, yes.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "on account of", ensure clarity by placing it before the cause or reason you're explaining. For example, "The game was postponed on account of the rain" is clearer than "On account of the rain, the game was postponed."

Common error

Avoid using "on account of" in very informal contexts. While grammatically correct, it can sound stilted or pretentious in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "because" or "due to".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on account of" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces the reason or cause for a particular situation or event. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is usable in written English. Examples from Ludwig demonstrate its use in various contexts, from explaining event cancellations to personal reasons for actions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "on account of" is a prepositional phrase functioning as a causal connector, used to specify the reason or cause for something. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and fairly common, as the numerous examples in Ludwig show, demonstrating its versatility across various contexts including news, science, and general writing. While acceptable in most situations, be mindful of the slightly formal tone; simpler alternatives might be more appropriate for very casual settings. By understanding these nuances, writers can effectively use "on account of" to add clarity and precision to their explanations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

because of

More direct and commonly used in everyday language.

due to

Slightly more formal and often used in official contexts.

owing to

A more formal and somewhat old-fashioned alternative.

as a result of

Emphasizes the consequence or outcome.

in light of

Suggests consideration of specific information or circumstances.

by virtue of

Indicates something is a consequence of a particular quality or fact.

for the reason that

A more verbose and formal way of expressing cause.

considering that

Focuses on the act of taking something into account.

in view of the fact that

A formal and emphatic way of stating a reason.

attributable to

Suggests assigning cause to a specific factor.

FAQs

How can I use "on account of" in a sentence?

Use "on account of" to indicate the reason or cause for something. For example, "The meeting was canceled "on account of" the speaker's illness".

What phrases are similar to "on account of"?

Alternatives to "on account of" include "because of", "due to", and "owing to". The choice depends on the desired level of formality.

Is "on account of" formal or informal?

"On account of" leans towards the formal side. In very casual settings, consider using simpler phrases like "because" or "since".

Is it better to use "on account of" or "because of"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "because of" is generally more common and versatile. "On account of" can sound more formal or old-fashioned.