Because is a conjunction. Because of is a preposition. As a conjunction, because is followed by a clause. Because of is followed by a noun/pronoun.
Fill in the blanks with because or because of.
1We cancelled the trip ............... the rain.
Wrong!
Use "because of" before the noun phrase "the rain".
2He sat down ............... he was feeling dizzy.
Wrong!
Use "because" before the clause "he was feeling dizzy".
3It is ............... your mother that we got into this mess.
Wrong!
Use "because of" before the noun phrase "your mother".
4We hurried indoors ............... it was raining.
Wrong!
Use "because" before the clause "it was raining".
5I was late ............... the traffic.
Wrong!
Use "because of" before the noun phrase "the traffic".
6We could not arrive on time ............... the traffic was terrible.
Wrong!
Use "because" before the clause "the traffic was terrible".
7The exam was easy ............... he knew all the answers.
Wrong!
Use "because" before the clause "he knew all the answers".
8He can’t walk ............... his illness.
Wrong!
Use "because of" before the noun phrase "his illness".
9He lost his job ............... the recession.
Wrong!
Use "because of" before the noun phrase "the recession".
10............... the language problem, I couldn’t win the argument.
Wrong!
Use "Because of" before the noun phrase "the language problem".
Answers
- We cancelled the trip because of the rain.
- He sat down because he was feeling dizzy.
- It is because of your mother that we got into this mess.
- We hurried indoors because it was raining.
- I was late because of the traffic.
- We could not arrive on time because the traffic was terrible.
- The exam was easy because he knew all the answers.
- He can’t walk because of his illness.
- He lost his job because of the recession.
- Because of the language problem, I couldn’t win the argument.