because

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "because" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are providing an explanation for something. Example: I stayed up late last night because I had to finish an assignment.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Ahmedabad is the only city with an early warning system for heat in South Asia because they saw infants and babies die, and then put the dots together during a crisis," says Jaiswal. "Temperatures in Mumbai are already high, so we think an early warning system would benefit many, and save lives.

The Guardian

And that's because, in the world of the media, women are tragic and desperate and sad, and men are caddish and free.

The Guardian - Opinion

Sandi Toksvig, who launched WEP last month, said her decision to leave the News Quiz for politics was because: "It's very interesting that most of the mainstream parties seem to treat women's issues as if we were a minority group rather than in fact what we are, which is the majority of the country … you get childcare talked about as if it was only a woman's issue".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Just because.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The EU may be getting the booby prize for peace because it sure hasn't created prosperity.

The Guardian

ReprintsThe first "arm" of the trial, in which PRO 2000 formed 2% of the gel, was abandoned early because results elsewhere suggested this was an ineffective mix.

The Economist

I personally don't believe in any organised Gods because I don't see any organisation in the way the world has progressed.

The Guardian - Film

And I know she wants it because we've been together for 20 years".

The Guardian - Music

Because that's the maximum capacity of the Olympic stadium.

The Guardian - Opinion

The official, who asked not to be identified because of the sensitivity of the issue, said photographs from North Korea showing a rocket launched from the sea appeared to be authentic.

The Guardian

FIFA did not incur any costs as a result of South Africa's request because the funds belonged to the LOC.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "because", ensure the cause-and-effect relationship is clear and logical to avoid ambiguity. Misunderstandings can occur when the connection between cause and effect is weak.

Common error

Avoid phrases like "because of the fact that" when "because" alone is sufficient. Redundancy weakens the sentence and makes the writing less concise.

Linguistic Context

"Because" functions primarily as a subordinating conjunction. It connects a dependent clause (the reason) to an independent clause (the result). Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, highlighting its role in providing explanations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "because" is a very common subordinating conjunction used to introduce a reason or explanation. As Ludwig AI points out, it is grammatically correct and widely used in both formal and informal contexts. Its primary function is to establish a cause-and-effect relationship. While alternatives like "since" or "as" exist, "because" remains a versatile and frequently employed choice across various registers, particularly in news and media sources. To ensure clarity, remember to avoid redundancy, such as "because of the fact that", and make sure the cause-and-effect relationship is clear to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

since

Offers a slightly more formal alternative to "because", often implying a known or understood reason.

as

Similar to "since", "as" can introduce a reason or cause, sometimes implying simultaneity.

due to the fact that

A more formal and emphatic way to introduce a cause or reason.

on account of

Indicates that something is happening because of a specific factor.

for the reason that

A more verbose way to express "because", often used in formal writing.

inasmuch as

A formal synonym for "because", often used in legal or academic contexts.

seeing that

Suggests that a reason is evident or obvious.

considering that

Highlights that a reason should be taken into account.

given that

Implies that a reason is a known or assumed fact.

for

Can introduce a reason, though less common in modern usage than "because".

FAQs

How can I use "because" in a sentence?

Use "because" to introduce a reason or explanation for something. For example, "I am happy "because the sun is shining"".

What are some alternatives to using "because"?

Alternatives include "since", "as", and "due to the fact that", depending on the context and level of formality.

Is it correct to start a sentence with "because"?

While traditionally discouraged, starting a sentence with "because" is now generally accepted, especially in informal writing, for emphasis or stylistic effect. However, it should be used sparingly.

What's the difference between "because" and "since"?

"Because" directly introduces a reason, while "since" can also imply a sense of time or a pre-existing understanding of the reason. Choose based on the nuance you want to convey.