Because or because of

Category: Topics in the syllabus

Because and because of are both used to introduce reasons. ​

Because

It's a conjunction, and is followed by a subject and verb. It’s used when we want to focus on the reason.

Main clause + because + subordinate clause

• I want to help because I love you.
• He crashed his car because he was driving too fast.
• Anna left early because she was tired.

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Because + subordinate clause + , + main clause

• Because I love you, I want to help.
• Because he was driving too fast, he crashed his car.
• Because Anna was tired, she left early.

Because of

It's a preposition, and is followed by a noun phrase or verb-ing.

Examples:

• Sorry! I'm late because of the traffic.
• They moved to Spain because of his job.
• Because of the rain, the trip was canceled. 
• Because of an explosion gas line, several homes burned down.
• Hockey is a sport with a lot of injuries because of the fighting.
• I have a stomachache because of eating too much.
• Have you missed days of work because of drinking?