because of something

USAGE SUMMARY

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

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Because of something Carmichael said?

The Guardian - Film

And that is because of something called "seasonal adjustment".

The New York Times

Because of something that you did?" (Watch it here).

The New Yorker

Have you ever been misjudged because of something you've worn?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"It happened to them because of something they did.

The Guardian

I raise this dream because of something dreamlike that happened in real life.

The New Yorker

Except they aren't, and we're fooled into thinking otherwise because of something called the gambler's fallacy.

The New York Times

"You know that they got a little advantage over you because of something they took.

The New York Times - Sports

Both men have been brought aboard because of something less quantifiable than any particular skill set.

The New York Times

And the future that the data suggest is particularly disquieting — because of something called dark energy.

The New York Times

Other times she would be the one to stop, because of something the man had written.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "because of something" when the specific cause is unknown or less important than the effect. It helps maintain a general explanation without diving into unnecessary specifics.

Common error

While "because of something" is acceptable, avoid overuse in formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise language or specific causes to enhance clarity and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "because of something" functions as a causal connector, linking an outcome or result to a general, unspecified cause. As shown in Ludwig, it introduces an explanation without detailing the exact reason.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "because of something" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that functions as a causal connector. Ludwig confirms its validity, indicating that it's appropriate for general explanations when the exact cause is unknown or unimportant. Although predominantly found in news and media, it's essential to consider context, opting for more precise language in formal settings. For alternatives, consider phrases like "due to a factor" or "as a result of something" to add nuance. Keep in mind that specifying cause when possible enhances clarity in more formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

caused by a factor

Directly points out a factor that produces an effect.

due to a certain factor

Emphasizes a specific, undefined factor as the cause.

owing to a specific reason

Indicates a particular reason as the cause, often in a more formal context.

resulting from a thing

Focuses on a thing as the origin of a particular consequence.

as a consequence of an event

Highlights an event that leads to a particular outcome.

on account of some reason

Offers a reason or explanation for an action or condition, with a slightly more formal tone.

attributable to a cause

Suggests that the outcome is a direct result of a defined cause.

stemming from an origin

Highlights the origin as the primary cause of the outcome.

in view of some detail

Suggests that a particular detail or circumstance is the reason for a certain action.

by reason of some aspect

Implies that a specific aspect is responsible for the result.

FAQs

How can I use "because of something" in a sentence?

Use "because of something" to indicate a general cause or reason when the specific cause is unknown or unimportant. For example, "The project was delayed "because of something" unforeseen."

What can I say instead of "because of something"?

Alternatives include "due to a factor", "as a result of something", or "owing to a reason", depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "because of something" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, using "because of something" in formal writing might sound vague. Consider specifying the cause for greater clarity.

What's the difference between "because of something" and "because of a specific reason"?

"Because of something" is more general and doesn't specify the cause, while "because of a specific reason" implies a known and particular cause.