Learn English: "because" or "because of"?

Share this & earn $10
Learn English with Rebecca · engVid
Published at : 28 Sep 2021
272520 views
6163
96

What’s the difference between "because" and "because of"? The word "because" is used when we express the reason or cause of something. Sometimes, we use it on its own, and other times, we use "because of". Both of them give reasons, but grammatically, they are used in different situations. Do you know the difference between the two? In this short English grammar lesson, I will teach you how to use these common words correctly.
Test your understanding of this lesson by taking my quiz at https://www.engvid.com/learn-english-because-or-because-of/

TRANSCRIPT

Hi. I’m Rebecca from engVid. Do you mix up the words "because" and "because of"? It’s possible that you do and you know it, and it’s possible that you do mix them up but you don’t know it. So, let’s find out-all right?-in this lesson. Now, both of these terms are used to give reasons, but grammatically, in English, they’re actually used very differently. So let’s understand this difference in this lesson.

So, first: "because" by itself is a conjunction in English, and "because of" in English is a two-word preposition. Okay? So, technically, they are different. Now, "because", the conjunction, is followed by a subject and a verb. "Because of", the two-word preposition is followed by a noun or a noun phrase. So, that’s the grammar of it. Let’s look at some examples so you can really understand this.

So here’s an example of using "because" properly: "Because it was raining, we cancelled the picnic." All right? So, what do you see? You see the word "Because"-you see a subject, here, right?-"it", "was raining", verb. Right? "Because it was raining, we cancelled the picnic." All right? So that’s the proper use of the word "because", because it’s followed by a subject and a verb. Now, let’s look at the same sentence with "because of". So, as we said, "because of" should be followed by noun or noun phrase. Let’s see if that happens in our example. "Because of the rain, we cancelled the picnic." You see how it’s quite different from the first example? Here we said: "Because it was raining", here we said: "Because of the rain". So, here, "because" is followed by "rain", which is a noun. Right? And then the rest of it is the same. Now, even though in both these sentences I started with the word "Because", it doesn’t have to be like that; it could be the other way around. It could be: "We cancelled the picnic because of the rain." Or: "We cancelled the picnic because it was raining." Okay? That part doesn’t matter, but this part about "because of" or just "because" is still the same.

Now, let’s take another example. "Because the flight was delayed, they missed the meeting." All right? So, what do we have here? We have: "Because the flight"-subject-"was delayed" is our verb. Right? So that’s fine. "Because the flight was delayed, we missed… They missed the meeting." Let’s look at the next example. "Because of the flight delay, they missed the meeting." So this time we have here-right?-our noun. "Because of the flight delay"-noun, noun phrase-"they missed the meeting". All right? Do you see how it’s quite different? Let’s see how well you’ve understood this by actually doing some practice together.

So, we have here eight fill-in-the-blank sentences, which you will fill in with either "because" or "because of". Remember the rules. "Because" plus a subject or/and verb. Or: "Because of" plus a noun or noun phrase. Okay? Let’s get started.

Number one:
"____ she was busy, she didn’t call me."
So, should we say: "Because she was busy, she didn’t call me." or should we say: "Because of she was busy, she didn’t call me."? Which one is right? It should be: "Because she was busy", because we have "Because" plus a subject, "she was busy". Okay?

Next:
"
____ the traffic jam, they were late."
Blank the traffic jam, they were late. Should it be: "Because the traffic jam" or "Because of the traffic jam"? Which one is right? It should be: "Because of the traffic jam". Okay? Good.

Number three:
"____ he had the flu, he couldn’t work."
Blank, should it be: "Because he had the flu" or "Because of he had the flu"? Which one is right? What belongs here? "Because". Okay? Again, "Because", subject, and verb.

Next:
"
____ the distance, they took a taxi."
Should it be: "Because the distance, they took a taxi" or "Because of the distance"? It should be: "Because of the distance", right? Because we have a noun after that. "Because of the distance, they took a taxi."

How’s it going so far? Is it going well? I hope so. You have four more. Okay? Let’s go.

Number five:
"We visited John ____ he was in the hospital."
Poor John. So: "We visited John because he was in the hospital." or "We visited John because of he was in the hospital."? It should be… Okay. [Laughs] All right. So: "We visited John because he was in the hospital." All right? Good.

EnglishESLEnglish grammar

Linus Tech Tips Built Hasan a 'Leftist PC' | Hasanabi Reacts

Linus Tech Tips Built Hasan a 'Leftist PC' | Hasanabi Reacts

Further or Farther - Difference Between Further and Farther

Further or Farther - Difference Between Further and Farther

World’s most unusual toilets

World’s most unusual toilets

When I Grow Up | Kids Songs | Super Simple Songs

When I Grow Up | Kids Songs | Super Simple Songs

The One That You Love - Air Supply (Lyrics)

The One That You Love - Air Supply (Lyrics)

David Gueta feat Zara Larsson -This One's for You lyrics

David Gueta feat Zara Larsson -This One's for You lyrics

So Will I (100 Billion X) // Do It Again - Cross Worship ft. Osby Berry

So Will I (100 Billion X) // Do It Again - Cross Worship ft. Osby Berry

The worker who discovered this technique won the Nobel Prize. Great.

The worker who discovered this technique won the Nobel Prize. Great.

Mills - The Store (Official Video)

Mills - The Store (Official Video)

F.U.: The Family Unit!

F.U.: The Family Unit!

100 Years of Fashion: Men ★ Glam.com

100 Years of Fashion: Men ★ Glam.com

Cupid's Chokehold / Breakfast in America

Cupid's Chokehold / Breakfast in America

Faith No More - Easy

Faith No More - Easy

The least expensive Marathon offers a ton!

The least expensive Marathon offers a ton!

To Each His Own - Talos (Lyric Video)

To Each His Own - Talos (Lyric Video)

Mistress of Novices - John Kerr - BBC Saturday Night Theatre

Mistress of Novices - John Kerr - BBC Saturday Night Theatre

WE KNEW they'll be THERE!!..returning to the recent wonky spots🎣

WE KNEW they'll be THERE!!..returning to the recent wonky spots🎣

The Shorts 1983  Comment Ca Va

The Shorts 1983 Comment Ca Va

I Went Back To 1st Grade For A Day

I Went Back To 1st Grade For A Day

Christmas Wishes 2020 - Part 1

Christmas Wishes 2020 - Part 1

TO COME ACROSS/UPON - Learn English - (Phrasal Verbs)

TO COME ACROSS/UPON - Learn English - (Phrasal Verbs)

Breaking Bad - "I am the Danger" Scene S4 E6 1080p

Breaking Bad - "I am the Danger" Scene S4 E6 1080p

50 Hymns Beautiful Selection - Piano and Guitar Instrumental Blessed Assurance by Lifebrerakthrough

50 Hymns Beautiful Selection - Piano and Guitar Instrumental Blessed Assurance by Lifebrerakthrough

Approaches- AQA Psychology UNDER 20 MINS! Quick Revision for Paper 2

Approaches- AQA Psychology UNDER 20 MINS! Quick Revision for Paper 2

Shawn's 1st Haircut ♪ FUNNY FAILS  Rock N Roll Baby FUNnel Vlog

Shawn's 1st Haircut ♪ FUNNY FAILS  Rock N Roll Baby FUNnel Vlog

I love the warmer

I love the warmer

Ariana Grande, Nelly Furtado - Motive X Promiscuous (TikTok Mashup) [Lyrics]

Ariana Grande, Nelly Furtado - Motive X Promiscuous (TikTok Mashup) [Lyrics]

Undertaking | Is It Legal?

Undertaking | Is It Legal?

Sak Noel - Loca People [HD]

Sak Noel - Loca People [HD]

October 17, 2021 | Sunday Service | Vineyard Anaheim

October 17, 2021 | Sunday Service | Vineyard Anaheim

Peaceful Night 💜 Soothing Deep Sleep Music ★ Calming Meditation Healing 528Hz

Peaceful Night 💜 Soothing Deep Sleep Music ★ Calming Meditation Healing 528Hz

The Black Eyed Peas - My Humps

The Black Eyed Peas - My Humps

Goals, Objectives, and Learning Outcomes

Goals, Objectives, and Learning Outcomes

Riddle Joker [OST] 24 Take into Account Extended

Riddle Joker [OST] 24 Take into Account Extended

Enrique Iglesias - Takin' Back My Love feat. Ciara

Enrique Iglesias - Takin' Back My Love feat. Ciara

Now and Again - 01 - Origins

Now and Again - 01 - Origins

Blues music - That's What I'll Do For You - Everly Brown

Blues music - That's What I'll Do For You - Everly Brown

FIFA 11+ Injury Prevention Program (Plus FREE Handouts)

FIFA 11+ Injury Prevention Program (Plus FREE Handouts)

DAYBREAK Trailer (2019) Netflix

DAYBREAK Trailer (2019) Netflix

Lil Nas X, Jack Harlow - INDUSTRY BABY (EXTENDED - Official Audio)

Lil Nas X, Jack Harlow - INDUSTRY BABY (EXTENDED - Official Audio)

Pouya - Stick Out Ft. Ghostemane (Prod.MTM)

Pouya - Stick Out Ft. Ghostemane (Prod.MTM)

SALEM - oftentimes

SALEM - oftentimes

James Bouknight TAKES OFF for a HUGE Jam! 💥

James Bouknight TAKES OFF for a HUGE Jam! 💥

Climate Zones of the Earth - The Dr. Binocs Show | Best Learning Videos For kids | Dr Binocs

Climate Zones of the Earth - The Dr. Binocs Show | Best Learning Videos For kids | Dr Binocs

How to impeach a president

How to impeach a president

What is a Topic? TWR

What is a Topic? TWR

The Mighty Mighty Bosstones - The Impression That I Get (Official Music Video)

The Mighty Mighty Bosstones - The Impression That I Get (Official Music Video)

#1 WOW Activity to Impress Colleges!

#1 WOW Activity to Impress Colleges!

A Normal Day In The Life Of BTS

A Normal Day In The Life Of BTS