because
- 01 A1 Beginner
conj.you use this to explain the reason for something.
conj.introduces a subordinate clause that provides the reason or cause for the action in the main clause.
Simple“We stayed inside because it was raining heavily all afternoon.”
In context“The project was delayed because the primary contractor failed to secure the necessary permits before the winter freeze began.”
UsageAlways followed by a full clause containing a subject and a verb.
Teacher's tipLearners often confuse 'because' with 'because of'; remind them that 'because' needs a verb while 'because of' needs a noun phrase.
PitfallI 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.
- 02 C1 Advanced
prep.a casual way to give a reason using just one or two words.
prep.used as a preposition followed by a noun, adjective, or other part of speech to provide a succinct, often humorous reason.
Simple“I'm not going out tonight because internet.”
In context“The meeting was cancelled because reasons, though nobody would specify exactly what those reasons were.”
UsageFollowed directly by a noun or adjective without 'of' or a full clause.
Teacher's tipThis is a modern 'Internet' usage; it sounds very informal and should be avoided in academic or professional writing.
Synonymsdue to - 03 B1 Intermediate
interj.a short answer used when you do not want to give a real reason.
interj.used as a standalone response to a 'why' question to indicate a refusal to provide further explanation.
Simple“Why do I have to eat my vegetables? Because.”
In context“When asked why the policy had changed so abruptly, the manager simply replied, 'Because,' and walked out of the room.”
UsageTypically used as a one-word answer or followed by 'I said so'.
Teacher's tipOften used by parents with children; it can sound dismissive or rude in a professional context.
Synonymsjust because
because vs because of — Because introduces a clause with a subject and a verb, while because of is a preposition that precedes a noun or noun phrase.
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.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.