Cause and Reason

A2 · ElementaryConjunctions & Linking Words

I stayed home because it was raining. I stayed home because of the rain. Two grammatical patterns for the same idea.

What you'll learn

  • Because, since, and as are followed by a full clause (a subject + verb)
  • Because of, due to, and owing to are followed by a noun phrase, not a clause
  • Since and as can also mean 'given that' — a slightly softer, more assumed reason than because
  • Because is the most neutral and common choice in everyday speech

Two patterns for giving a reason

English has two grammatical patterns for expressing a reason: because/since/as + a full clause, or because of/due to/owing to + a noun phrase. Mixing them up is one of the most common conjunction mistakes.

"I was late because the bus was delayed."
"I was late because of the delayed bus."

because / since / as + clause

These three words all introduce a reason clause. Because is the most direct and common. Since and as are slightly softer, often used when the reason is already known or obvious to the listener.

"We left early because the traffic was bad."
"Since you're here, you might as well stay for dinner."
"As it was getting late, we said goodbye."

because of / due to / owing to + noun phrase

These phrases must be followed by a noun or noun phrase, never a full clause with its own subject and verb.

"The flight was delayed because of the storm."
"The event was cancelled due to low attendance."
"The delay was owing to a technical problem."

Real English

"She got the job because she had the most experience."
"The road was closed because of an accident."
"Since it's your birthday, dinner's on me."
"The project was delayed due to a shortage of materials."

Watch out

✗I was late because of the bus was delayed.
✓I was late because the bus was delayed.

'Because of' can't be followed by a full clause — use 'because' instead, or turn the clause into a noun phrase.

✗The match was cancelled because the storm.
✓The match was cancelled because of the storm.

'Because' needs a full clause after it — use 'because of' before a bare noun phrase.

✗Since of she was tired, she left early.
✓Since she was tired, she left early.

'Since' (meaning 'because') is followed directly by a clause — no 'of' is needed.

Real life — Explaining a cancellation

"Why was the concert cancelled?"

"It was cancelled because of the storm warning."

"That makes sense — since the roads were flooding, it wouldn't have been safe."

"Exactly. They're rescheduling it for next month."

Practice

Exercise 1 · Choose the correct word

Choose the correct word: '___ it was raining, we stayed inside.'

Exercise 2 · Choose the correct word

Choose the correct word: 'The match was cancelled ___ the storm.'

Exercise 3 · Choose the correct word

Choose the correct word: '___ she was tired, she went to bed early.'

Exercise 4 · Choose the correct word

Choose the correct word: 'We canceled the picnic ___ the rain.'

Exercise 5 · Choose the correct word

Choose the correct word: '___ he was late, the meeting started without him.'

Exercise 6 · Choose the correct sentence

Choose the correct sentence.

Exercise 7 · Choose the correct sentence

Choose the correct sentence.

Exercise 8 · Choose the correct word

Which word introduces a reason and can also mean 'from that time'?

Exercise 9 · Combine the sentences

Combine using 'because': 'We left early. The traffic was bad.'

Exercise 10 · Combine the sentences

Combine using 'because of': 'The flight was delayed. Bad weather.'

Exercise 11 · Sort into groups

because it was cold
because of the cold
since she was busy
due to the delay
as it was late
owing to the noise

0 / 6 sorted

Quick challenge

Five quick questions to check what stuck.

Question 1 / 5

Score: 0/0

Choose the correct word: 'We were exhausted ___ the long journey.'

You learned

  • Because, since, and as are followed by a full clause.
  • Because of, due to, and owing to are followed by a noun phrase.
  • Since and as can also express a softer, more assumed reason.
  • Because is the most neutral, everyday choice.

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