on account

USAGE SUMMARY

"on account" is a phrase that is commonly used in written English.
It is used when something is the cause or reason for something else. For example, "I decided to stay home on account of the bad weather."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The car had jammed on account of me...

The New Yorker

"The page is turning on account of globalization," Carter said.

Huffington Post

Go "on account".

WikiHow

On account of the hail?

The New Yorker

"On account of my rash".

The New Yorker

And all on account of the constitution".

Independent

"On account of my back," Harris said.

The New Yorker

Then another, on account of my sorrow.

The New York Times - Food

"On account of my asthma".

The New Yorker

On account of the people with pencils.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Click on 'Account' underneath your account name.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "on account" to provide a reason or explanation, especially when a slightly formal or old-fashioned tone is appropriate. For a more contemporary tone, consider alternatives like "because of".

Common error

While grammatically correct, using "on account" in very informal conversations or writing may sound stilted. Opt for more casual alternatives like "because" or "since" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on account" functions as a causal connector, linking a situation to its cause or reason. As shown by Ludwig, it introduces an explanation for an event or state. It essentially answers the question 'why?' or 'how come?'

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Academia

10%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "on account" serves as a causal connector, providing a reason or explanation for a particular situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is commonly used in written English to indicate cause and effect. While grammatically sound, its slightly formal or old-fashioned tone may make it less suitable for very informal contexts. Frequent in news, media, and academic writing, "on account" is best used when a touch of formality is desired, but alternatives like "because of" are often preferred in modern, casual communication. Remember to choose your words wisely to match the tone and audience of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

because of

Indicates a direct cause or reason, similar to "on account", but is more commonly used in contemporary English.

due to

Similar to "because of", emphasizing the direct influence of a cause.

owing to

A more formal alternative that suggests a reason or cause.

as a result of

Highlights the consequence stemming from a particular cause.

by reason of

A highly formal phrase indicating the basis or justification for something.

for the reason that

A more elaborate way of expressing "because", often used for emphasis.

in view of

Suggests that something is done considering a particular fact or circumstance.

considering that

Indicates that something is being taken into account when making a decision or statement.

in light of

Similar to "in view of", suggesting awareness and consideration of certain information.

since

Implies a cause-and-effect relationship, often used when the cause is already known or understood.

FAQs

How to use "on account" in a sentence?

You can use "on account" to explain the reason for something. For example, "The game was canceled "because of" / "on account of" the rain".

What can I say instead of "on account"?

You can use alternatives like ""because of"", "due to", or "owing to" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "on account of"?

Yes, "on account of" is a grammatically correct phrase. It's often used to indicate the reason or cause for something. For example: "He was late "because of" / "on account of" traffic."

What's the difference between "on account of" and "because of"?

"On account of" and "because of" are similar in meaning, both indicating a cause or reason. However, "on account of" can sound slightly more formal or old-fashioned than ""because of"".