is that because

USAGE SUMMARY

This phrase is a perfectly correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it when posing a question as a follow-up statement, if you are making an assumption about the answer. Example sentence: "He seems to be struggling, is that because he's feeling overwhelmed?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Is that because there is less sex?

The New York Times - Arts

Is that because greed is good and these people wrong?

BBC

Is that because Google is worse on mobile?

TechCrunch

Is that because Nash is, uh, Canadian?

Los Angeles Times

Is that because she's a control freak?

The Guardian

Is that because you're so alternative?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Is that because we're worn right out?

The New York Times - Sports

Is that because there are fewer kids in trouble?

University of California, Berkeley

Is that because they are a modern phenomenon?

The Economist

Is that because they're worried that they'll look weak?

The Economist

"Is that because I am the Son of God?

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is that because" to introduce a question that suggests a possible reason or explanation for a previous statement. This can make your inquiry sound less confrontational and more conversational.

Common error

Avoid assuming that because two events are related, one necessarily causes the other. "Is that because" should prompt further investigation, not confirm a premature conclusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is that because" functions as an interrogative causal connector. It introduces a question that seeks to identify the reason or cause behind a preceding statement or situation. As Ludwig explains, it poses a follow-up question when an assumption about the answer is already being made.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is that because" functions as a common and grammatically correct interrogative causal connector, used primarily to seek clarification and confirm a suspected cause. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is suitable for posing follow-up questions, especially when an assumption about the answer is present. Its prevalence in news, media, and academic contexts indicates broad applicability. While it's considered generally neutral in register, writers should avoid using it to jump to conclusions without proper investigation. Remember to use alternative phrases like "is it due to" or "could it be attributed to" to diversify your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is it due to

Replaces "because" with "due to", focusing on the cause of something.

is it a result of

Emphasizes the outcome or consequence of a particular action or event.

could it be attributed to

Suggests a more formal and tentative attribution of cause.

is the reason being

Directly asks for the reason behind a situation or occurrence.

is this owing to

A more formal way of saying "is this because", indicating causation.

does it stem from

Implies that something originates or arises from a particular source.

is it on account of

Indicates that something happens because of a specific reason or factor.

is the explanation

Seeks a clear explanation for why something is happening.

might it be related to

Suggests a possible connection or association between two things.

is that the effect of

Asks if something is the result or consequence of a specific cause.

FAQs

How can I use "is that because" in a sentence?

Use "is that because" to ask for the reason behind a statement or observation. For example, "The store is closed; is that because it's a holiday?"

What are some alternatives to "is that because"?

You can use phrases like "is it due to", "is it a result of", or "could it be attributed to" to express similar ideas.

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

Yes, it's grammatically correct. Starting a sentence with "is that because" is a common way to inquire about a potential cause or reason, especially as a follow-up question.

What's the difference between "is that because" and "why is that"?

"Is that because" is typically used when you already suspect a possible reason, while "why is that" is a more open-ended question asking for any possible explanation. The first one express some surprise or try to confirm a suspect.