that was because

USAGE SUMMARY

"that was because" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to explain why something happened or happened in a certain way. For example: "I didn't take the job, that was because I didn't think it was a good fit for me."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That was because it satisfied all parties.

The New Yorker

But that was because there was consensus.

The Economist

That was because he had.

The New York Times - Sports

That was because of Google Maps.

The New York Times - Tech

That was because of the overpowering Meche.

The New York Times - Sports

That was because of demands on management.

The Guardian

That was because expectations were quite low.

The Guardian - Sport

That was because the formula worked.

The New Yorker

"That was because I dropped a line," Williams said.

The New Yorker

That was because of a larger number of shares outstanding.

The New York Times

That was because nobody bothered to mark him.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that was because" to clearly and directly explain the reason behind a situation or event. This helps ensure clarity and avoids ambiguity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "that was because" in conjunction with other redundant phrases, such as "the reason why that was because". Choose one causal connector for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "that was because" is to serve as a causal connector. It links a previous statement or situation with its explanation or reason. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is perfectly acceptable for use in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that was because" is a common and grammatically sound causal connector used to explain the reason behind a statement or situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is acceptable in written English, particularly in news and media contexts. While highly frequent, it's essential to avoid redundancy with other causal phrases. Consider alternatives such as "due to" or "as a result of" for variety. The phrase's neutral register makes it suitable for various writing styles, though slightly less formal than some academic alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the reason for that was

Directly states the intention to provide an explanation.

that's a result of

A shortened version conveying the same cause/effect relationship.

that happened as a result of

Rephrases the cause to emphasize the outcome.

that is explained by the fact that

Similar to previous, adds "the fact that" emphasizing a specific reason.

that occurred due to

Uses a more formal tone to indicate causation.

this can be explained by

Suggests a logical explanation for the event.

that stemmed from

Implies the cause originated or developed from something.

it was a consequence of

Highlights the result as a direct outcome.

that arose from the fact that

Emphasizes the factual basis of the cause.

this was attributable to

Attributes the cause to a specific factor.

FAQs

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

You can use "that was because" to introduce the explanation or reason for a previous statement. For example, "I didn't go to the party; "that was because" I was feeling unwell".

What phrases are similar to "that was because"?

Similar phrases include "due to", "as a result of", "the reason was", or "owing to". Each can be used to introduce the cause or explanation for something.

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

While it's more common to use "that was because" after the initial clause, starting a sentence with it isn't strictly incorrect, especially in informal writing. However, for formal writing, consider rephrasing for better flow.

What's the difference between "that was because" and "because"?

"That was because" is used to explain something previously mentioned, while "because" directly introduces a reason within the same clause. For instance, "I was late. "That was because" of the traffic" versus "I was late because of the traffic".