Because or because of: explain reasons with the right structure

The idea

Use because + subject + verb or because of + noun phrase in these patterns. A reason can follow the result or come first. Put a comma after an opening because-clause.

Examples

• We moved the picnic indoors because the wind was strong.
• The ferry stopped because of thick fog.
• Because the lift was broken, we used the stairs.
• Nora smiled because she found her lost ring.
• The path was muddy because of the rain.
• Why did you bring a torch? Because the cellar light doesn't work.

Watch out

Do not put because of directly before the wind was strong. In standard sentence building, do not join the same reason and result with both because and so. A because-clause alone is natural as a spoken answer to why.

Try it yourself

1. Choose the correct option. We moved the picnic indoors ___ the wind was strong. (because / because of)

   Show answer or example answer

   because

   The wind was strong is a clause with a subject and verb, so use because.

2. Choose the correct option. The ferry stopped ___ thick fog. (because / because of)

   Show answer or example answer

   because of

   Thick fog is a noun phrase, so use because of before it.

3. Choose the correct option. Because ___, we used the stairs. (the lift was broken / the broken lift)

   Show answer or example answer

   the lift was broken

   After because, choose the full clause the lift was broken. The noun phrase would need because of.

Use it today

Explain one change of plan and one happy event. Give a reason as a full clause, then rewrite one reason as a noun phrase with because of.