Meaning & use
because of that
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Meaning
phrasefixed phrase
for that reason; as a result of the thing just mentioned.
Grammar: Acts like a linking adverb. It can start a sentence (followed by a comma) or come after the subject: Because of that, we left early.
Patterns
- because of that, ...
- and because of that
- because of that reason
The bus was late, and because of that we missed the film.
He forgot his keys. Because of that, he waited outside for an hour.
Prices rose sharply, and because of that many families changed their shopping habits.
Common combinations
- and because of that
- The road was closed, and because of that we took a longer route.
- because of that, I ...
- Because of that, I decided to stay home.
- mainly because of that
- The team lost, mainly because of that one mistake.
- partly because of that
- She was promoted, partly because of that project.
Synonyms and how they differ
- as a result
- More formal and often used in writing; it does not point back as directly as 'because of that'.
- therefore
- Formal and common in academic writing, and it usually shows a logical conclusion rather than a cause.
- so
- Shorter and more conversational; it joins clauses without a comma pause.
- that's why
- Very informal and spoken; it introduces the result rather than the reason.
Word family
- because conjunction
- Introduces a reason before a clause: because it rained.
- because of preposition
- Introduces a reason before a noun: because of the rain.
Commonly confused: because of that or because of? because of that or because?
because of that vs because of
This needs a noun or noun phrase after it (because of the rain), while 'because of that' already contains its own reference and needs no noun.
because of that vs because
This is a conjunction that joins two clauses (because it rained), not a standalone linking phrase.
Practice
Choose the sentence that uses the phrase correctly.
Choose one answer.
'Because of that' works as a linking phrase at the start of a sentence, so option An is correct. Option B wrongly uses it to introduce a reason clause, option C adds a clause after 'of that', and option D is redundant and ungrammatical.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “because of that”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.