What are Because and Because of? The difference between Because and Because of

Because’s collocation

Meaning

Example

(all) the more so because…

Used to emphasize a reason for a situation or condition, indicating that the statement made is even more valid or significant due to a particular cause.

Elly is really looking forward to the trip, all the more so because she hasn't been on vacation in years. 

just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to get me

Used to convey the idea that although someone might have excessive worries or fears about being harmed or persecuted, it doesn't negate the possibility that there is a legitimate threat or intention from others to cause harm.

Eric said : “Just because I’m paranoid doesn’t mean they’re not out to get me; sometimes, our fears have a basis in reality.”

Because’s synonyms

Pronunication

Meaning

Ví dụ

As

/æz/

Because; at the time of

As a result of my hard work in learning English, I have a chance to work overseas. 

Since

/sɪns/

Because; from the time when

Since we've been geographically apart, our friendship has gradually weakened. 

For

/fɔːr/

Because

For the sake of her poor family, she had to drop out of school and work abroad. 

As a result of

/æz ðə rɪˈzʌlt ɒv/

As a consequence of

As a result of their stubbornness, Anna and John broke up before their wedding.

Because of

/bɪˈkɒz ɒv/

Due to

Because of my excellent work performance, I received a big bonus this month. 

Due to

/djuː tuː/

Because of; thanks to

Due to her parents' upbringing, Ella became a good person. 

Owing to

/ˈəʊɪŋ tuː/

Because of; thanks to

Owing to her day and night efforts, Emily won a full scholarship to study in the US. 

On account of

/ɒn əˈkaʊnt tuː/

Because of; due to

On account of driving under the influence of alcohol, Mick had a serious accident 

Thanks to

/θæŋks tuː/

Due to; because of

Thanks to her parents' help, Bella was able to buy a house at the age of 22.

For the sake of

/fɔː ðə seɪk ɒv/

In the interest of; for the benefit of

For the sake of learning effectively, I was able to memorize 100 new words every day. 

In light of

/ɪn laɪt əv/

Considering; because of

In the light of family background, Misa is not as well-off as Anna. 

In view of

/ɪn vjuː əv/

Taking into account; because of

In view of her qualifications, Mille is a very suitable candidate for this position. 

Từ vựng

Phiên Words/phrases

Meaning

Example

In case of

/in keɪs/

Used to indicate what will happen or should be done if a specific situation arises; in the event of

In case of inability to attend the meeting, please let me know as soon as possible. 

By dint of 

/baɪ dɪnt əv /

Used to express that something has been achieved through effort, means, or method; mainly used in more formal or literary contexts

By dint of my colleagues help, the Prep Talk project was a success.

Due to

/djuː tə/

Used to indicate the reason or cause for something.

Due to her parents' pressure, Clara developed depression. 

Inasmuch as

/ɪnəzˈmʌtʃ æz/

Used to introduce a reason that partially explains or qualifies a statement; essentially means 'to the extent that.'

Inasmuch as Lavender won the national first prize, she was admitted to university without an entrance exam. 

By/in virtue of

/baɪ/in ˈvɜːtʃuː ɒv/

Used to express the reason for something happening or the means by which something is done; often implies a positive circumstance or quality.

She got her new job by virtue of her great expereince. 

Distinguishing Between Because and Because of in English

Because

Because of

Similarities

• "Because" and "Because of" – both terms/phrases are used in complex sentences to express a cause-and-effect relationship.

• "Because" and "Because of" both emphasize the clause that expresses the cause and mean "due to" or "because of."

Differences

"Because" appears before the clause that describes the cause and connects that clause with the other clause in the complex sentence.

"Because of" – this phrase will appear before a noun/noun phrase or gerund (or a phrase beginning with a gerund) indicating the cause and connects it with the other clause in the complex sentence.

Examples

Because Jack was heartless, he lost the person he loved.

Because of her carelessness, Emily failed the university entrance exam with silly mistakes.

Cases

How to Convert

Examples

When the Subjects of Both Clauses are the Same

If the subjects of both clauses in the English sentence are the same, omit the subject of the "because" clause, and add the ending -ing to the verb that follows.

Because John is tall, he can reach this novel on the shelf.

➡ Because of being tall, John can reach this novel on the shelf.

When There is a Noun/Noun Phrase in the "Because of..." Clause

After applying the first rule, if only a noun or noun phrase remains in the "because of..." clause, keep that noun or noun phrase and omit the -ing.

Elsa postponed her trip because she had an urgent job interview.

➡ Rule 1: Because of having an urgent job interview, Elsa had to postpone her trip.

➡ Rule 2: Because of her urgent job interview, Elsa had to postpone her trip. 

When the "Because" Clause Contains a Main Verb and an Adverb of Manner

If the "because" clause contains a verb and an adverb of manner, we simply change the adverb to an adjective and the verb to a noun to create a noun phrase placed after "because of."

Because it rains suddenly, Misa's family picnic was postponed.

➡ Because of the sudden rain, Misa's family picnic was postponed.

Cases

How to Convert

Examples

"Because of" Clause with a Gerund (V-ing)

Use the pronoun that corresponds with the subject of the clause and conjugate the verb in the gerund according to the subject and the tense of the sentence.

Formula: 

Because of: S1 + V1 because of + V2-ing 

➡ Because: S1 + V1 because +Pronoun + V2

Clara couldn’t drive because of losing her key. 

➡ Clara couldn’t drive because she lost her key.

"Because of" Clause with a Noun

Use the dummy subject "there + be." You need to accurately determine the tense of the main clause to conjugate the verb "be" accordingly.

Structure: Because of": S1 + V1 because of + N 

→ "because": S1 + V1 because + there + be + N

Because of the traffic jam, we were late for the meeting.

→ We were late for the meeting because there was a traffic jam.

"Because of" Clause with a Noun Phrase

Accurately determine the type of noun phrase being used in the "because of" clause and convert it according to the corresponding structure:

• For noun phrases with an attributive adjective, convert according to the formula: S1 + V1 because of + Adj + N ➡ S1 + V1 because + N + be + Adj

• For noun phrases serving as the subject of the relative clause in the clause, convert according to the formula: S1 + V1 because of + N + that/which V2 ➡ S1 + V1 because + N + V2

• For noun phrases serving as the object of the relative clause in the clause, convert according to the formula: S1 + V1 because of + N + that/which S2 + V2 ➡ S1 + V1 because + S2 + V2 + N

• Mary canceled the trip because of the bad weather. → Mary canceled the trip because the weather was bad. 

• Because of the heavy rain, which caused flooding in several areas, many people had to evacuate their homes. → Many people had to evacuate their homes because the heavy rain caused flooding in several areas. 

• David lost his job because of the big mistake that he made. → David lost his job because he made a big mistake. 

Common Mistakes with Because and Because of

Example

Using both “because” and “so” in the same sentence:

If both "because" and "so" appear in the same sentence, this is a basic grammatical error. To avoid this situation, always remember to use only one of the two words when expressing cause and effect!

Correct:

• Because Ella’s dog was sick, Ella went home early to take her to the hospital. .

• Ella’s dog was sick, so Ella went home early to take her to the hospital. 

Wrong:

• Because Ella’s was sick, so Ella went home early to take her to the hospital. 

Forgetting the necessary comma in required structures:

Forgetting to use a comma can cause you to lose points in English writing exams. Therefore, review the "because" structures that must use a comma, which are:

• Because + S + V + O, S + V + O

• S + V + O, because S + V + O

• Because of + object/noun/noun phrase/gerund

Correct: 

• Because Mark behaves impolitely, his boss dislikes him. 

• Because of Mark’s impolite behavior, his boss dislikes him. 

Wrong: 

• Because of Mark impolite behavior his boss dislikes him.

Misplacing “because” and “because of”:

"Because" should precede a clause while "because of" should precede (a) noun or a gerund. However, these two structures are quite similar, leading many to confuse them. Specifically, they use "because" before a noun/noun phrase/gerund and use "because of" before a clause.

Correct:

• Because of her carelessness, she couldn’t pass the driving test. 

• Because she was careless, she couldn’t pass the driving test.

Wrong:

• Because her carelessness, she couldn’t pass the driving test.

• Because of she was careless, she couldn’t pass the driving test.

Exercise 1: 

1. Because of the rain, they stopped the football match.

2. Because of his stomachache, Ted is absent today.

3. Because of his kindness, everyone loves him.

4. Because of the long trip, I was too tired.

5. Because her test passing, her parent was very proud of her.

Exercise 2: Because of - Because of - Because - Because of - Because