to some extent because

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to some extent because" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a statement or situation is true to a certain degree, often providing a reason or explanation. Example: "The project was successful to some extent because the team worked collaboratively and communicated effectively."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

'Faust' has fallen from grace to some extent because of its very popularity.

The New York Times - Arts

He controlled people's lives to some extent because he controlled the apartments in the building.

The New York Times

As the business matures, it and the owner increasingly move apart, to some extent because of the owner's activities elsewhere and to some extent because of the presence of other managers.

Harvard Business Review

Dance, on the other hand, is always representational to some extent, because it shows us people, in action.

The New Yorker

"This is emotional and -- to some extent, because of the spitting and throwing -- physical child abuse," Father Troy said.

The New York Times

Lockhart: Well, that was already happening to some extent, because of the impact of television on Washington and politics.

The New York Times - Magazine

He hasn't, he says, to some extent because Cave's writing work on The Proposition earned him a lot of respect.

The Guardian - Film

And that's I think, to some extent because the corporation begins an effort to kind of rootinize the creative process.

Harvard Business Review

"China is playing along to some extent because Pakistan is in sort of a tight spot at the moment".

The New York Times

In the East as well, to some extent because of the shift in NATO doctrine, conventional warfare grew in importance.

Encyclopedia Britannica

I blame my parents to some extent because they were very protective of me, having lost their firstborn in a freak accident.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to some extent because", ensure the sentence clearly indicates what is being partially affected and why. This phrase is most effective when you want to acknowledge multiple contributing factors, not just one.

Common error

Avoid using "to some extent because" when the reason provided is the primary or sole cause. Using the phrase in such cases weakens your statement. If something is mainly caused by one factor, a more direct causal phrase is more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to some extent because" functions as a causal connector, indicating a partial or contributing cause. It suggests that the reason provided is one of several factors influencing a particular outcome. This is supported by Ludwig's examples, which demonstrate its use in various contexts to qualify causal relationships.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

40%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to some extent because" is a grammatically correct and commonly used causal connector that indicates a partial or contributing cause. According to Ludwig, its primary function is to provide nuanced explanations acknowledging that a reason contributes to an outcome without being the sole cause. It is appropriate for neutral to formal contexts, especially in news, scientific, and academic writing. When using this phrase, ensure that the sentence clearly defines what is being partially affected and why, and avoid overstating the connection when other factors are significant.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

partly due to

Focuses on a partial cause, similar to "to some extent because", but more concise.

partially as a result of

Emphasizes the consequence stemming from a partial cause.

in part owing to

More formal and highlights the contribution of a specific factor.

somewhat attributable to

Suggests a degree of influence, where the outcome is not solely caused by the factor mentioned.

influenced by

Indicates a more general impact, rather than a direct causal relationship.

affected in some measure by

Formal and highlights that impact has occurred but the measure isn't precisely know.

to a degree that

Highlights the degree of causation or influence, more generic than "to some extent because".

contingent partially upon

Suggests dependence on something, and is similar to 'in part owing to'.

qualified by the fact that

Implies the initial statement must be altered given another fact, meaning that the initial statement is only true "to some extent".

tempered by the reality that

Similar to 'qualified by the fact that', indicates that an initial statement is true to a certain extent only because there is another relevant reality.

FAQs

How can I use "to some extent because" in a sentence?

Use "to some extent because" to indicate a partial reason for something. For example: "The project succeeded "to some extent because" of the team's dedication."

What are some alternatives to "to some extent because"?

Alternatives include "partly due to", "partially as a result of", or "in part owing to". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it correct to use "to some extent" at the beginning of a sentence?

While possible, starting a sentence with "to some extent" can sometimes sound awkward. It's generally better to integrate it within the sentence, often followed by "because" to explain the reason. For instance, "The problem was solved "to some extent because" of new technology."

What's the difference between "to some extent because" and "primarily because"?

"To some extent because" indicates a partial cause, while "primarily because" indicates the main or most important reason. Use "to some extent because" when multiple factors are involved, and "primarily because" when one factor is dominant.