Because (of): How and When to Use in English
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Because (of)
Because introduces the reason or explanation for something. It is followed by a clause (a series of words containing a verb).
Why did you make that up? Because I didn't know what else to say. I didn't know what to say. That is the reason for me making something up.
They went home early because they were bored. Their boredom was the reason for them going home early.
Just because you are older, you think you are always right. Your age is your only justification for thinking you are always right.
Because of also introduces the reason or explanation for something. It is followed by a noun.
-Why are you late? -Because of the snow. -Why are you late? -The snow caused me to be late.
Similar expressions to because of include "due to" and "as a result of".
Due to the budget cut, we have to lower our paper consumption. We have to lower our paper consumption because of the budget cut.
As a result of my broken leg, I can't play soccer anymore. I can't play soccer anymore because of my broken leg.
Exercise 1
Choose between so that and because. Note that both terms are used at least once.
Kevin eats a lot for lunch he has a large appetite.
Luna has been teaching him breathing techniques he might eat more slowly.
Jean also wants to learn them he can feel more relaxed at work.
Kevin eats a lot for lunch he has a large appetite.
Luna has been teaching him breathing techniques he might eat more slowly.
Jean also wants to learn them he can feel more relaxed at work.
Choose between so that and because. Note that both terms are used at least once.
Kevin eats a lot for lunch because 1 he has a large appetite.
Luna has been teaching him breathing techniques so that 2 he might eat more slowly.
Jean also wants to learn them so that 3 he can feel more relaxed at work.
Kevin eats a lot for lunch because 1 he has a large appetite.
Luna has been teaching him breathing techniques so that 2 he might eat more slowly.
Jean also wants to learn them so that 3 he can feel more relaxed at work.
1 because: The word "because" introduces the reason for something, or the cause of something. Here, Kevin's large appetite is the reason why he eats a lot for lunch. Another example: "I work in Human Resources because I like people".
1 so that: The word "so that" introduces the objective or aim of something. If we used it here, it would imply that Kevin eats a lot in order to have a large appetite, or with the objective of developing a large appetite. This is unlikely.
2 so that: "So that" introduces the objective or goal of an action. Here, Luna is teaching Kevin breathing techniques, and hopes that this will cause him to eat more slowly in the future. Another example: "I'm planting a vegetable garden so that I can grow my own tomatoes".
2 because: "Because" is not grammatically incorrect here, but it sounds unnatural. In the context of the sentence, the phrase "he might eat more slowly" represents the intended goal or consequence of Luna teaching Kevin breathing techniques. If we wanted to introduce the reason for the teaching, we would probably make the sentence longer: "Luna has been teaching him breathing techniques because he might eat more slowly if he regulates his breathing".
3 so that: In this sentence, Jean wants to learn breathing techniques in order to feel more relaxed at work, or with the aim of feeling more relaxed at work. Another example: "I drink coffee so that I can stay awake in the afternoon".
3 because: "Because" is not grammatically incorrect here, but it sounds unnatural. In the context of the sentence, the phrase "he can feel more relaxed" represents the intended goal or consequence of Jean learning breathing techniques. If we wanted to introduce the reason for this, we would probably change the sentence: "Jean also wants to learn them because he may feel more relaxed at work if he does".
Exercise 2
Choose between so that and because. Note that both terms are used at least once.
Brian went home early today there was nothing left for him to do at work.
He recently bought a bicycle he could get to work more quickly.
However, he has barely used it he only likes cycling when itâs sunny.
Brian went home early today there was nothing left for him to do at work.
He recently bought a bicycle he could get to work more quickly.
However, he has barely used it he only likes cycling when itâs sunny.
Choose between so that and because. Note that both terms are used at least once.
Brian went home early today because 1 there was nothing left for him to do at work.
He recently bought a bicycle so that 2 he could get to work more quickly.
However, he has barely used it because 3 he only likes cycling when itâs sunny.
Brian went home early today because 1 there was nothing left for him to do at work.
He recently bought a bicycle so that 2 he could get to work more quickly.
However, he has barely used it because 3 he only likes cycling when itâs sunny.
1 because: The word "because" introduces the reason for something, or the cause of something. Here, Brian's lack of work was the reason why he went home early. Another example: "We moved to this area because it was the only part of the city which we could afford to live in".
1 so that: The word "so that" introduces the objective or aim of something. If we used it here, it would imply that Jean left early in order to have nothing to do, or with the objective of having nothing to do at work, which doesn't make sense. You can leave work early if you want, Bruno, but you can't escape the fact that you have things to do!
2 so that: "So that" introduces the objective or goal of an action. Here, Brian bought a bicycle with the goal of getting to work more quickly. Another example: "I bought a standing desk so that I didn't have to sit all day".
2 because: "Because" is not grammatically incorrect here, but it sounds unnatural. In the context of the sentence, the phrase "he could get to work more quickly" represents the intended goal or consequence of Brian buying a bicycle. If we wanted to introduce the reason for the teaching, we would probably make the sentence longer: "He recently bought a bicycle because he could get to work more quickly by bicycle" or "He bought a bicycle because it would allow him to get to work more quickly".
3 because: Brian's preference for cycling in the sun is the reason for him not using his bicycle very much. Therefore, we use the word "because" here. Another example: "I drive everywhere because I want to accelerate global warming as much as possible".
3 so that: If we used "so that" here, it would imply that Brian cycles rarely in order to prefer cycling in the sunshine, or with the objective of only liking cycling in the sunshine. This is very unlikely!
Exercise 3
Fill in the blanks.
I became an accountant my love of numbers.
I stayed in the job I liked my colleagues.
Iâm not going to change job now, retirement is fast approaching.
I became an accountant my love of numbers.
I stayed in the job I liked my colleagues.
Iâm not going to change job now, retirement is fast approaching.
Fill in the blanks.
I became an accountant because of 1 my love of numbers.
I stayed in the job because 2 I liked my colleagues.
Iâm not going to change job now, because 3 retirement is fast approaching.
I became an accountant because of 1 my love of numbers.
I stayed in the job because 2 I liked my colleagues.
Iâm not going to change job now, because 3 retirement is fast approaching.
1 because of: "Because of" introduces a noun which is the cause of, or reason for, something. Here, the speaker's love of numbers was the reason for them becoming an accountant. Another example: "Jean chose not to climb Machu Picchu because of his fear of heights".
1 because: "Because" is always followed by a verb at some point later in the sentence. There is no verb in the second half of this sentence, so we can't use "because" here. Example: "I became a policeman because I love wearing a uniform".
2 because: "Because" introduces the reason for something. Another example: "Refugees often flee their home country because it is no longer safe".
2 because of: "Because of" introduces a reason which is just a noun. It is generally not followed by a verb (such as "liked"). For example: "Refugees often flee their home country because of persecution".
3 because: "Because" introduces the reason for something. Here, the speaker will soon retire, which is why they do not intend to leave their job. Another example: "I don't think we should go for a walk, because it will be dark soon".
3 because of: Although "because of" does introduce a noun (like "retirement"), it cannot introduce a noun which is immediately followed by a verb (like "is"). When the second half of a sentence contains a verb, we generally use "because", not "because of".
Exercise 4
Fill in the blanks.
Hannah doesnât like perfumes she finds them too synthetic.
She uses soaps instead their natural scent.
Her parents are still confused her job at a perfume company seems like a strange choice.
Hannah doesnât like perfumes she finds them too synthetic.
She uses soaps instead their natural scent.
Her parents are still confused her job at a perfume company seems like a strange choice.
Fill in the blanks.
Hannah doesnât like perfumes because 1 she finds them too synthetic.
She uses soaps instead because of 2 their natural scent.
Her parents are still confused because 3 her job at a perfume company seems like a strange choice.
Hannah doesnât like perfumes because 1 she finds them too synthetic.
She uses soaps instead because of 2 their natural scent.
Her parents are still confused because 3 her job at a perfume company seems like a strange choice.
1 because: "Because" introduces the reason for something. Another example: "I eat lots of vegetables because they are good for your health".
1 because of: "Because of" introduces a reason which is just a noun. It is generally not followed by a verb like "finds". For example: "I only eat kale because of its health benefits".
2 because of: "Because of" introduces a noun which is the cause of, or reason for, something. Here, the natural scent of soaps is the reason for Hannah choosing to use them. Another example: "I don't like marriage because of its patriarchal overtones".
2 because: "Because" is always followed by a verb at some point later in the sentence. There is no verb in the second half of this sentence, so we can't use "because" here. We might say "Hannah uses soaps because she prefers their natural scent".
3 because: "Because" introduces the reason for something. Here, Hannah's job is in contrast to her preferences, which is the reason for her parents' confusion. Another example: "I can't give you a lift to the train station because my car has broken down".
3 because of: Although "because of" does introduce a noun (like "her job"), it cannot introduce a noun which is immediately followed by a verb (like "seems"). When the second half of a sentence contains a verb, we generally use "because", not "because of".
Exercise 5
Fill in the blanks.
Xavier Delavigne quit school early his passion for perfume-making.
He found success as a young man the high demand for perfumes in early-20th-century Paris.
Xavierâs name is known today largely his grandson Brunoâs hard work.
Xavier Delavigne quit school early his passion for perfume-making.
He found success as a young man the high demand for perfumes in early-20th-century Paris.
Xavierâs name is known today largely his grandson Brunoâs hard work.
Fill in the blanks.
Xavier Delavigne quit school early because of 1 his passion for perfume-making.
He found success as a young man because of 2 the high demand for perfumes in early-20th-century Paris.
Xavierâs name is known today largely because of 3 his grandson Brunoâs hard work.
Xavier Delavigne quit school early because of 1 his passion for perfume-making.
He found success as a young man because of 2 the high demand for perfumes in early-20th-century Paris.
Xavierâs name is known today largely because of 3 his grandson Brunoâs hard work.
1 because of: "Because of" introduces a noun which is the cause of, or reason for, something. Here, Xavier's passion for perfume-making was the cause of him leaving school early. Another example: "Michael's parents divorced because of their differing views on philosophy".
1 because: "Because" is always followed by a verb at some point later in the sentence. There is no verb in the second half of this sentence, so we can't use "because" here. We might say "Xavier quit school early because he wanted to pursue a career as a perfumer".
2 because of: The high demand for perfume is the reason for Xavier's success. "Demand" is a noun, and there is no verb in the second half of this sentence, so we use "because of". Another example: "Heroin is dangerous because of its highly addictive nature".
2 because: There is no verb in the second half of this sentence, so we can't use "because" here. We could say: "Xavier found success because there was a high demand for perfumes in Paris".
3 because of: Bruno's hard work is a significant reason for Xavier's name being well known. "(Hard) work" is a noun that is not followed by a verb, so we introduce it using "because of". Another example: "I am talking loudly because of Janet's hearing difficulties".
3 because: There is no verb in the second half of this sentence, so we can't use "because" here. We could say: "Xavier's name is known today because Bruno has worked hard to make the business successful".
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