but because of

USAGE SUMMARY

"but because of" is correct and usable in written English.
It is most often used to introduce a clause that states a reason or justification for something that has been said or done previously. Example: We had to cancel our vacation, but because of the coronavirus outbreak it was the safest choice.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But because of Trump, I quit.

The Washington Post

But because of the context, it's a little strange.

Cornell University

But because of the rivalry, people can't handle that".

The New York Times - Sports

That's not despite its muteness, but because of it.

The New York Times - Magazine

But because of statistical errors and omissions they never do.

The Economist

"But because of what it's doing to the sport".

The New York Times - Sports

"But because of circumstances we wound up doing more.

The New York Times

But because of a job offer, he never graduated.

The New York Times - Arts

But, because of either fear or opportunism, there isn't.

The Economist

But because of the prohibition context we simply couldn't".

Independent

"But because of my kids, I can't go back".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but because of" to clearly present a contrast followed by a specific reason. For example: "The event was cancelled, but because of the overwhelming support, we rescheduled it."

Common error

Avoid using "but because of" in overly simple sentences where a direct "because" would suffice. Instead of saying "He was late, but because of traffic", simply state "He was late because of traffic."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but because of" functions as a causal connector, linking two clauses where the second clause explains the reason for something, while 'but' introduces a contrast to the initial clause. Ludwig AI validates that this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "but because of" is a frequently used and grammatically correct phrase that functions as a causal connector, linking contrasting ideas with explanations. As Ludwig AI confirms, its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts, from news articles to academic papers. While it's a useful phrase, be mindful of potential redundancy in simple sentences and consider using direct alternatives like "because of" when the contrast is already evident. Top authoritative sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian frequently employ this construction.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

but as a consequence of

Maintains the "but" for contrast but replaces "because of" with "as a consequence of", resulting in slightly more formal phrasing.

however, as a direct result of

Similar to the previous phrase, but emphasizes the direct impact or effect of the cause.

however, due to

Replaces "but because of" with a slightly more formal tone using "however" as a contrast and "due to" as the cause.

though, as a result of

Replaces "but" with "though" for a slightly softer contrast, and "because of" with "as a result of" to indicate consequence.

yet, on account of

Uses "yet" to introduce a contrast and "on account of" to specify the reason, providing a more literary feel than "but because of".

despite that, considering

Indicates a contrast with "despite that" and provides the reason with "considering", offering a more detached perspective.

even so, owing to

Employs "even so" to highlight a concession before stating the cause with "owing to", providing a nuanced approach.

still, in light of

Offers a contrast using "still" and explains the reason with "in light of", providing a formal and reflective alternative.

regardless, given that

Expresses that something happens irrespective of something else using "regardless", and then explains the reason with "given that".

nonetheless, thanks to

Uses "nonetheless" to signal a contrast despite something, and "thanks to" to suggest a positive outcome resulting from something unexpected.

FAQs

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

The phrase "but because of" is used to introduce a reason that contrasts with a previous statement. For example: "The project faced delays, but because of the team's dedication, it was eventually completed."

What are some alternatives to using "but because of"?

You can use alternatives such as "however, due to", "yet, on account of", or "though, as a result of" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. See also: "however, due to", "yet, on account of".

Is it redundant to use "but because of" in a sentence?

While not inherently redundant, it can sometimes be simplified to just "because of" if the contrasting element is already clear from the context. If contrast is important, using both words can emphasize your point.

What is the difference between "but because of" and "although"?

"Although" introduces a contrasting idea within the same clause, whereas "but because of" connects two separate clauses, with the 'but' introducing the contrast to the first clause and 'because of' explaining the reason in the second clause. For Example: "Although it rained, the event was a success" versus "The event was not expected to succeed, but because of diligent planning, it turned out great."