BBC Learning English
Grammar Challenge
Grammar tables
© British Broadcasting Corporation 2007
Because / because of
Because and because of are both used to introduce reasons, but grammatically
they operate differently. Because is a conjunction. It must be followed by a subject
and verb. Because of is a preposition. It must be followed by a noun phrase or
verb-ing, not a verb phrase.
Because
because
subject
verb
because
it
was raining
we stayed at home
because
I
don't like
fish, I ordered chicken
because
he
felt
ill, he didn't go to the party
Because of
because of
because of
noun phrase
or verb-ing
the rain
we stayed at home
because of
not liking fish
I ordered chicken
because of
his illness
he didn't go to the party
feeling ill
Grammar Challenge
Because / because of tables
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