What does "because" mean?

1. (giving a reason) you use this to explain the reason for something. 2. (informal reason) a casual way to give a reason using just one or two words. 3. (refusing to explain) a short answer used when you do not want to give a real reason.

How do you use "because"?

Always followed by a full clause containing a subject and a verb. Followed directly by a noun or adjective without 'of' or a full clause. Typically used as a one-word answer or followed by 'I said so'.

Is it correct to say "I stayed home because of I was sick."?

No — say "I stayed home because I was sick.". Use 'because' before a subject and a verb. Use 'because of' before a noun or pronoun.

because

US //bɪˈkɑz// UK //bɪkˈʌz// be·cause

1 giving a reason (conj.)
A1 Beginner

you use this to explain the reason for something.

introduces a subordinate clause that provides the reason or cause for the action in the main clause.

Example

We stayed inside because it was raining heavily all afternoon.

Example

The project was delayed because the primary contractor failed to secure the necessary permits before the winter freeze began.

Usage

Always followed by a full clause containing a subject and a verb.

Teacher's tip

Learners often confuse 'because' with 'because of'; remind them that 'because' needs a verb while 'because of' needs a noun phrase.
- since
- as
- for
Pitfall

I stayed home because of I was sick.

I stayed home because I was sick.

Use 'because' before a subject and a verb. Use 'because of' before a noun or pronoun.
2 informal reason (prep.)
C1 Advanced Informal Slang

a casual way to give a reason using just one or two words.

used as a preposition followed by a noun, adjective, or other part of speech to provide a succinct, often humorous reason.

Example

I'm not going out tonight because internet.

Example

The meeting was cancelled because reasons, though nobody would specify exactly what those reasons were.

Usage

Followed directly by a noun or adjective without 'of' or a full clause.

Teacher's tip

This is a modern 'Internet' usage; it sounds very informal and should be avoided in academic or professional writing.
- due to

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3 refusing to explain (interj.)
B1 Intermediate Informal

a short answer used when you do not want to give a real reason.

used as a standalone response to a 'why' question to indicate a refusal to provide further explanation.

Example

Why do I have to eat my vegetables? Because.

Example

When asked why the policy had changed so abruptly, the manager simply replied, 'Because,' and walked out of the room.

Usage

Typically used as a one-word answer or followed by 'I said so'.

Teacher's tip

Often used by parents with children; it can sound dismissive or rude in a professional context.
- just because

Origin

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₁ep-der. Proto-Indo-European *h₁epsder. Proto-Indo-European *h₁epider. Proto-Indo-European *h₁pi Proto-Germanic *bi Proto-West Germanic *bī Old English bī Middle English by Proto-Italic *kaussā Old Latin caussa Latin causabor. Old French causebor. Middle English cause Middle English bi cause English because From Middle English bi cause, from bi (“by”) + cause, modelled on Old French par cause.