because of its age

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "because of its age" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to explain a reason or cause related to the age of an object, person, or concept. Example: "The building was deemed unsafe because of its age, prompting the city to issue a demolition order."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

In 1751 Wettstein produced the first list of the New Testament manuscripts, Codex Vaticanus received symbol B (because of its age) and took second position on this list (Alexandrinus received A, Ephraemi – C, Bezae – D, etc).

Wikipedia

Arthur D. Little, or A.D.L. as it is known, is something of an anomaly in the consulting business because of its age -- it was founded in 1886 -- and its focus on research and development, said Jack Sweeney, an editor with Kennedy Information, which follows the industry.

The New York Times

"Because of its age, and because it has some of its original furnishings, you can see the transformation of the manor to the present day".

The New York Times

The painting was fragile, Mr. Gordon said, because of its age and the fact that it was painted on an unusually large single plank of wood.

The New York Times - Arts

Mr. Lance repeated that the dog was not salable because of its age, but that he would give it a good home.

The New Yorker

This, because of its age, has already lost most of its radioactivity.The experiment last announced results almost a year ago.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

But the motor remained problematic because of its aging design and custom parts.

The New York Times

The perilous state of care homes is of particular concern for Britain because of its ageing population.

The Guardian - Business

Volkswagen said its net income tumbled 68percentt in the first quarter because of its aging products and its exposure to currency fluctuations.

The New York Times

But white flight took its toll from the late 60's through the 1970's, and the community -- particularly vulnerable because of its aging, low-rise housing stock -- became a target for racial steering and redlining.

The New York Times

The company's Chrysler division, which lost United States market share in 2000 to foreign competitors because of its aging products, is expected to post a loss of $1.25 billion in the fourth quarter after a third-quarter loss of $512 million.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "because of its age", ensure that the age is indeed the primary and logical reason for the statement you are making. Avoid using it as a vague explanation when other factors might be more relevant.

Common error

Avoid oversimplifying complex situations by attributing outcomes solely to age. Consider other contributing factors to provide a more nuanced and accurate explanation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "because of its age" functions as an adverbial phrase expressing causation. It modifies a clause by explaining the reason or cause for a particular situation, as shown in the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

30%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "because of its age" is a grammatically correct and commonly used adverbial phrase that explains causation based on age. According to Ludwig, it's applicable across various contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedic writing. While it’s crucial to accurately attribute causation to age, alternatives like "due to its age" and "on account of its age" can be employed for stylistic variation. Remember not to oversimplify the underlying causes by exclusively attributing it to the age and consider other more specific explanations to make sure the message is effective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

due to its age

Replaces "because" with "due", maintaining the causal relationship.

on account of its age

Substitutes "because" with "on account of", providing a more formal tone.

as a result of its age

Emphasizes the consequence stemming from the age factor.

owing to its age

Uses "owing to" in place of "because of", offering a slightly more sophisticated phrasing.

attributable to its age

Highlights the age as the cause to which something can be credited.

caused by its age

Directly states the age as the origin of a particular outcome.

stemming from its age

Indicates that the result originates or develops from its age.

arising from its age

Similar to "stemming from", but with a slightly different nuance.

by virtue of its age

Indicates that something is the way it is because of the qualities given to it by its age.

its age being the reason

Rephrases to explicitly state age as the rationale.

FAQs

How can I use "because of its age" in a sentence?

You can use "because of its age" to explain why something is in a particular condition or state. For example, "The car required extensive repairs "because of its age"." It directly links the age to the condition.

What are some alternatives to "because of its age"?

Some alternatives include "due to its age", "on account of its age", or "as a result of its age". The choice depends on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

Is it always appropriate to use "because of its age"?

While grammatically correct, ensure that age is genuinely the most relevant factor. Overuse can simplify complex scenarios. Sometimes, it's better to specify the consequence of the age, for example its deterioration or obsoletion.

What's the difference between "because of its age" and "because it is old"?

"Because of its age" is more concise and often preferred in formal writing. "Because it is old" is simpler and more direct, suitable for informal contexts. Both convey the same meaning, but the former emphasizes age as a characteristic.