Quick answer: Traditional grammar says due to modifies nouns (“the delay due to bad weather”) and because of modifies verbs (“we were delayed because of bad weather”). In practice, most modern speakers use both interchangeably. For formal writing, follow the traditional rule. For fuller definitions, see the Cambridge Dictionary.
Comparison Table
| Phrase | Traditional role | Modifies | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| because of | adverbial prepositional phrase | verb or clause | We stayed home because of the rain. |
| due to | adjectival prepositional phrase | noun | The cancellation was due to bad weather. |
Using Because of
Because of introduces the cause of an action or event. It follows a verb or verb phrase and gives the reason for what happens. It is always safe to use.
We cancelled the match because of the rain.
She left early because of a headache.
Sales rose because of improved marketing.
Using Due to
Traditionally, due to should follow a form of “be” or modify a noun directly. The quick test: can you substitute “caused by”? If yes, due to is correct in formal style.
The delay was due to roadworks. (= caused by roadworks)
His success is due to hard work.
Delays due to engineering works are expected.
Modern Acceptance
Many modern style guides, including the Oxford Style Guide, now accept due to used as because of. However, in formal academic or legal writing it is still safer to stick to the traditional distinction.
Common Mistakes
✗ She won due to her dedication. (traditional grammar: ‘won’ is a verb, not a noun)
✓ She won because of her dedication. OR Her win was due to her dedication.
✗ The error is because of a bug. (slightly informal)
✓ The error is due to a bug. (more formal / cleaner)
✗ Due to the fact that it rained, we stayed in. (wordy)
✓ Because it rained, we stayed in. (concise)
Also compare: Although vs Though, Complex vs Complicated, Already vs Yet. Browse all confusing word pairs →
Quick Check: Because of or Due to?
Four questions — select the most appropriate phrase.
1. “The flight was cancelled ___ a technical fault.” (after ‘be’)
2. “We couldn’t finish ___ the power cut.” (adverbial / after verb)
3. “Delays ___ signal failure are common.” (modifying noun ‘delays’)
4. “She cried ___ the sad ending.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the traditional difference between because of and due to?
Traditionally, due to is adjectival (it modifies nouns): “the delay due to fog.” Because of is adverbial (it modifies verbs or clauses): “We were late because of the fog.” The quick test: replace with “caused by” — if it works, due to is correct.
Is it wrong to use due to as because of?
In modern English, many style guides now accept due to in place of because of. However, traditional prescriptive grammar still distinguishes them, so in formal writing it is safer to use because of after verbs.
What is the “caused by” test?
Substitute “caused by” for the phrase. If the sentence still makes grammatical sense, due to is correct: “The delay was caused by fog” works, so “The delay was due to fog” is correct. If not, use because of.
Can due to start a sentence?
Traditionally no, but in modern usage it is increasingly common: “Due to heavy rainfall, the event was cancelled.” For formal or academic writing, it is safer to use “Because of heavy rainfall…”
Is “due to the fact that” correct?
It is grammatically correct but wordy. “Due to the fact that it rained” is better expressed as “because it rained” or “owing to the rain”. Avoid the wordy form in formal writing.
What is the difference between due to and owing to?
Owing to functions like because of — it is adverbial and can follow a verb: “Owing to the rain, we stayed in.” It is somewhat more formal. Both are acceptable in careful writing.
Do British and American English differ on this rule?
Both dialects traditionally distinguished because of (adverbial) from due to (adjectival). Both are also increasingly relaxed about this distinction in informal usage.
Is “thanks to” similar to because of?
Yes. Thanks to means “because of” and is adverbial, but it implies a positive result: “Thanks to her help, we finished on time.” It is not used for negative outcomes without irony.
Which is more common in IELTS essays?
Both are acceptable in IELTS. Using them correctly according to the traditional rule demonstrates grammatical precision and may contribute to a higher score. Avoid wordy constructions like “due to the fact that”.
Can I use “because of” before a noun?
Yes. Because of is always followed by a noun or noun phrase: “because of the weather” / “because of his hard work.” Do not use because of before a full clause; use because (conjunction) instead: “because it was raining.”