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Because, because of, or due to
Because comes before a clause, while because of and due to come before a noun: because it rained, because of the rain, due to the rain.
Quick rule
A clause with a verb? Because. A noun? Because of, or due to. Something scheduled, like is due to arrive? Due to.
It gives a reason as a full clause, with a subject and a verb: because I was tired.
A two-word preposition: a noun or pronoun follows it, not a clause: because of the rain, because of you.
Because of: due to the weather. With be and a verb, it says what is expected: the train is due to arrive at six.
How to choose
| Question | because | because of | due to |
|---|---|---|---|
| Can a clause with a subject and verb follow it (it was late)? | Yes | No | No |
| Can it say what is scheduled (is ___ arrive)? | No | No | Yes |
| Can a noun follow it (the rain)? | No | Yes | Yes |
Why it trips people up
Because is a conjunction, so a clause follows it. Because of and due to are prepositions, so a noun follows. Due to also has a second job: be due to + verb means something is expected, as in the bus is due to leave at noon.
How each one works
Because
Reason as a full clause
I stayed home because I was sick.
At the start of the sentence
Because it was late, we took a taxi.
Explaining a feeling
She's happy because her exams are over.
Because of
Because of + noun
The game was stopped because of the rain.
With a pronoun: because of you
I'm here because of you.
The cause of a state
He walks slowly because of his bad knee.
Due to
After be: caused by
The delay was due to a technical problem.
Due to + noun
Many flights were canceled due to the storm.
Be due to + verb: expected
The next train is due to arrive at 9:15.
What comes next
because plus subject plus verb
We canceled the picnic because it was too windy.
because of plus noun
Schools closed because of the snow.
because of plus pronoun
We lost because of him.
be plus due to plus noun
Her success is due to hard work.
be plus due to plus verb
The package is due to arrive on Monday.
Almost the same
We stayed in because it was raining.
A subject and verb follow: because.
We stayed in because of the rain.
Same idea, but a noun follows.
The game is due to start at noon.
Here due to isn't a reason: it says what is scheduled.
In a conversation
- A:
Why is the office so empty today?
- B:
Half the team is out because of the flu.
- A:
And where's Marta? She's due to give a presentation at ten.
- B:
She called. She's late because her train broke down.
Common mistakes
Wrong: We were stuck for an hour because heavy traffic.
Right: We were stuck for an hour because of heavy traffic.
Heavy traffic is a noun phrase, so it needs because of. Because on its own needs a verb after it.
Wrong: We repeated the test. Because the first results were unclear.
Right: Because the first results were unclear, we repeated the test.
In formal writing, a because clause should not stand alone as a sentence: join it to the main clause.
Memory trick
In because of and due to, the of and the to need a noun: because of the rain, due to the rain. If a subject and verb follow, drop the of: because it rained. Be due to + verb is a different use: something scheduled.
It depends
- Due to at the start of a sentence
- Some usage guides once objected to Due to the rain, the game was called off, since due is an adjective. Oxford and Merriam-Webster both treat it as standard today.
FAQ
Due to or because of: which is correct?
Both are correct before a noun: due to the snow, because of the snow. Oxford notes that this use of due to is now accepted as standard English.
Is "due to" correct grammar?
Yes. The delay was due to fog has long been accepted, and Due to fog, the flight was delayed is standard today too. Keep a noun after it, not a clause.