on account of

USAGE SUMMARY

"on account of" is a perfectly valid preposition that is often used in written English.
It is commonly used in sentences to explain why something happened or what the result was. For example: "He was late to the meeting on account of the traffic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 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

Despite his ruling, many hurdles were to come, all on account of one woman.

Huffington Post

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

On account of being fictional ninja turtles.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "on account of" to clearly indicate a causal relationship, especially when a more formal or explanatory tone is desired. For example, instead of saying "He was late because of the traffic", you could say "He was late on account of the traffic".

Common error

Avoid overuse of "on account of" in informal contexts, as it can sound stilted or unnatural. In casual conversation, simpler alternatives like "because of" or "due to" are often more appropriate.

How to use

Learn how to use "on account of" with practical examples and tips.

How to use

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on account of" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces the reason or cause for something. It acts as an adverbial modifier, explaining why an event occurred or a situation exists. Ludwig shows many examples of its usage in both news and scientific contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "on account of" functions as a causal connector, similar to phrases like "because of" or "due to". While grammatically correct and frequently used, it tends to carry a more formal tone. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples across diverse domains, with a strong presence in news and media. Consider the context to decide if a simpler alternative is more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

because of

More common and direct synonym.

due to

Similar to "because of", but can sometimes imply a more formal tone.

owing to

A more formal alternative, often used in legal or official contexts.

as a result of

Focuses on the consequence or outcome.

by virtue of

Suggests that something is a consequence of a particular quality or power.

by reason of

Implies logical deduction or justification.

for the sake of

Emphasizes the benefit or purpose.

in light of

Suggests that something is being considered in relation to new information.

considering that

Introduces a reason or explanation.

in view of

Indicates awareness or consideration of something.

FAQs

What does "on account of" mean?

"On account of" means because of or due to. It is used to explain the reason for something.

How can I use "on account of" in a sentence?

You can use "on account of" to show cause and effect. For example, "The game was canceled "because of" the rain" can be rephrased as "The game was canceled on account of the rain".

What are some alternatives to "on account of"?

Some alternatives to "on account of" include "because of", "due to", and "owing to".

Is "on account of" formal or informal?

"On account of" is generally considered more formal than simpler alternatives like "because of". Use it when a slightly more elevated tone is desired.