"Because of" usage.

Question

What is “Because of” used for?

1) It is cold in Arizona due to the westward storm coming from Arizona.

Rule 3: The expression ‘because of’ is used to modify entire clauses. Thus, you can use this expression to present reason for an action in the clause.

Sentence 1 above can be corrected by replacing ‘due to’ with ‘because of’. Now ‘because of’ modifies the clause presenting the reason why it is cold in Arizona.

My question: Isn't "the westward storm coming from Arizona" a phrase and not a clause? There isn't a complete subject+ verb so it's a phrase right?

Also, when is "because of" best used?

possible duplicate of Can “due to” and “because of ” be used interchangeably? — FumbleFingers, Dec 12 '13 at 20:41
"Rule 3" of what? This looks like you've quoted it from something--could you please mark it as a quote and cite your source properly? — , Dec 12 '13 at 21:26

score 1 · Answer 1 · edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:38

1

You are missing what modify means here.

The words due to modify "It is cold in Arizona", which is an entire clause. If you changed the sentence to

The cold in Arizona is due to the westward storm,

the words due to would modify the cold, and thus it would be correct, according to Rule 3 (which some grammarians dispute the validity of; see the possible duplicate question mentioned in the comment above).

edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:38

Community

1

answered Dec 12 '13 at 21:06

Peter Shor

88,407

For the benefit of the backbenchers, would you throw some light on Rule 3 (and 1, 2, and other if any)? Thanks. – Kris Dec 13 '13 at 06:50

"Because of" usage.

1 Answers1