Because and because of

Because means ‘for the reason that’. It is a conjunction. It is used at the beginning of a clause.

Because of is a two-word preposition. It means ‘by reason of’, ‘on account of’. It is used before a noun or a pronoun.

Compare:

• We couldn’t go out because it rained.
• We couldn’t go out because of the rain.

Position

Because and its clause can go either before or after the main clause.

• I did it because he told me to do it.
• Because he told me to do it, I did it.

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