Because is a conjunction. It is followed by a clause. Because of is a preposition. It is followed by a noun or noun equivalent. These words are often confused.
Can you use because and because of correctly? Test your understanding with this grammar exercise.
Fill in the blanks.
1We cancelled the trip ............... the rain.
Wrong!
Use "because of" before the noun phrase "the rain".
2It was ............... you that I got into trouble.
Wrong!
Use "because of" before the pronoun "you".
3We hurried indoors ............... it started raining.
Wrong!
Use "because" before the clause "it started raining".
4I was late ............... I missed the train.
Wrong!
Use "because" before the clause "I missed the train".
5We couldn't work ............... the power outage.
Wrong!
Use "because of" before the noun phrase "the power outage".
6I passed the test easily ............... I had studied well.
Wrong!
Use "because" before the clause "I had studied well".
7She can't walk ............... arthritis.
Wrong!
Use "because of" before the noun "arthritis".
8Hundreds of people lost their jobs ............... recession.
Wrong!
Use "because of" before the noun "recession".
9He found working in China quite difficult ............... he didn't understand Chinese.
Wrong!
Use "because" before the clause "he didn't understand Chinese".
10We couldn't understand him ............... his accent.
Wrong!
Use "because of" before the noun phrase "his accent".
11She quit her job ............... she wanted to spend more time with her children.
Wrong!
Use "because" before the clause "she wanted to spend more time with her children".
12She ate only a salad ............... she is a vegetarian.
Wrong!
Use "because" before the clause "she is a vegetarian".
Done.
Score: 0/12
Answers
- We cancelled the trip because of the rain.
- It was because of you that I got into trouble.
- We hurried indoors because it started raining.
- I was late because I missed the train.
- We couldn’t work because of the power outage.
- I passed the test easily because I had studied well.
- She can’t walk because of arthritis.
- Hundreds of people lost their jobs because of recession.
- He found working in China quite difficult because he didn’t understand Chinese.
- We couldn’t understand him because of his accent.
- She quit her job because she wanted to spend more time with her children.
- She ate only a salad because she is a vegetarian.
