because

Meanings

1. 1conjunction

   used to give the reason why something happens or is true

   Grammar: Joins a main clause to a reason clause; it must be followed by a subject and verb, not just a noun: because it rained, not because the rain.

   Patterns

   • because + clause
   • just because ... doesn't mean ...

   We stayed inside because it was raining hard.

   She missed the train because she woke up late.

   He got the job because he had the right experience.

2. 2phrasefixed phrase

   as a result of a particular thing or person

   Grammar: Use because of before a noun or pronoun, not before a full clause: because of the weather, not because of it rained.

   Patterns

   • because of something
   • because of someone

   The game was canceled because of the snow.

   We were late because of traffic.

   She left early because of a headache.

Common combinations

just because

Just because you're older doesn't mean you're always right.

because of this

He forgot his keys, and because of this he couldn't get in.

mainly because

I chose the course mainly because it was close to home.

partly because

She was tired, partly because she hadn't slept well.

because I said so

You can't go out, and that's because I said so.

Synonyms and how they differ

since

Use since when the reason is already known or less important than the result; because is stronger and more direct.

as

As is more formal and often comes at the beginning of a sentence; because is more common in everyday speech.

for

For is old-fashioned and literary as a reason word; because is the normal choice in modern English.

Commonly confused: because or because of?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “because”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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