because they could

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "because they could" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to explain a reason or justification for an action that was possible or feasible. Example: "They decided to take the risk because they could, and it ultimately paid off."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Well, because they could.

The New York Times

"Because they could have been destroyed, too".

The New York Times

Because they could pitch".

The New York Times - Sports

Because they could do that, couldn't they?

The Guardian

Because they could not provide instant gratification.

The New York Times

They came because they could come.

The New York Times

The brutally truthful answer is: because they could.

The Guardian

There is anxiety because they could be made responsible.

The Economist

It was because they could not make out the words.

The New York Times

"And they were popular because they could weather the cold".

The New York Times

They've done it because they could, simple as that.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "because they could" to clearly and concisely explain actions taken based on the availability of means or ability. For example, "They expanded the business because they could access additional funding."

Common error

Avoid using "because they could" when explaining actions driven by necessity or obligation rather than capability. For instance, avoid writing "They paid the bill because they could" if the real reason was that they were legally obligated to do so.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "because they could" functions as an adverbial clause of reason, providing a causal explanation for an action or situation. Ludwig provides many examples in news, scientific and general writing to show its usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

45%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Social Media

0%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "because they could" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that explains an action based on capability or available resources. As Ludwig highlights, it's commonly found in news and scientific contexts, maintaining a neutral register. While versatile, it's important to differentiate its use from scenarios requiring explanations of obligation or necessity. Remember to use it to explain that something was an option and was taken due to being possible.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

since they were able to

Replaces "because" with "since" and "could" with "were able", emphasizing the availability of resources or skills.

as they had the opportunity to

Highlights the presence of a favorable moment or circumstance, changing "could" to "had the opportunity to".

given their capacity to

Emphasizes the inherent ability or potential, using "capacity" instead of "could".

owing to their capabilities

Replaces "because" with "owing to" and "could" with "capabilities", focusing on inherent skills.

due to their power to

Highlights influence or strength, replacing "could" with "power to".

by virtue of their skill

Emphasizes the talent or expertise involved, changing "because" to "by virtue of" and "could" to "skill".

in light of their potential

Focuses on future possibilities, using "potential" instead of "could".

considering their resources

Highlights the availability of assets, changing "could" to "resources".

on account of their means

Emphasizes the methods or resources at their disposal, changing "because" to "on account of" and "could" to "means".

thanks to their aptitude

Highlights natural talent or ability, changing "because" to "thanks to" and "could" to "aptitude".

FAQs

How can I use "because they could" in a sentence?

Use "because they could" to explain a reason or justification for an action that was possible or feasible. For example: "They decided to take the risk "because they could", and it ultimately paid off."

What are some alternatives to "because they could"?

You can use alternatives like "since they were able to", "as they had the opportunity to", or "given their capacity to" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with "because they could"?

While it's grammatically correct, starting a sentence with "because they could" might sound informal or incomplete. It's usually better to use it within a larger sentence for clarity and flow. For example: "They invested in new technology "because they could" increase efficiency."

When should I avoid using "because they could"?

Avoid using "because they could" when you want to emphasize obligation or necessity rather than simple ability. In those cases, consider phrases like "because they had to" or "because it was necessary".