{"id":14737,"date":"2012-10-09T18:14:03","date_gmt":"2012-10-10T01:14:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/?p=14737"},"modified":"2012-10-09T18:14:03","modified_gmt":"2012-10-10T01:14:03","slug":"due-to-vs-because-of","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/due-to-vs-because-of\/","title":{"rendered":"Due to Vs Because of"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"https:\/\/e-gmat.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/02\/DuetoVsBecause1.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-57\" title=\"DuetoVsBecause\" src=\"https:\/\/e-gmat.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/02\/DuetoVsBecause1.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"487\" height=\"276\" \/><\/a>In conversational English, we may hear or use sentences in which we present reason for something by using the expression \u201cdue to\u201d.  While in certain cases, this usage may be grammatically correct.<\/p>\n<p>But in certain other scenarios, it is incorrect.  In this post, I will discuss these scenarios.  Through this discussion, I will also explain the following question &amp; answer:<\/p>\n<p><em>Q: Can \u2018due to\u2019 and \u2018because of\u2019 be used interchangeably?<\/em><br \/>\n<em>A: No.  \u2018due to\u2019 is used to modify nouns only.  \u2018Because of\u2019 is used to modify verbs.  Thus, these two expressions cannot be used interchangeably<\/em>.<\/p>\n<h2>What is \"Due To\" Used for?<\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>RULE 1:<\/strong> The expression <strong>\u2018due to\u2019 <\/strong>can only be <strong>used to modify nouns.<\/strong> Thus, you cannot use this expression to present reason for an action in the clause.<a href=\"https:\/\/e-gmat.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/02\/Ex1_Wrong.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-64\" title=\"Ex1_Wrong\" src=\"https:\/\/e-gmat.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/02\/Ex1_Wrong.png\" alt=\"Incorrect use of 'due to'\" width=\"351\" height=\"95\" \/><\/a>In sentence 1, use of \u2018due to\u2019 is incorrect because it is used to explain \u2018why it is cold\u2019.  In other words, it is used to explain the reason behind the \u201cverb\u201d or \u201caction\u201d in the clause.  This is not idiomatically correct.<a href=\"https:\/\/e-gmat.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/02\/Ex1_Correct.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-70\" title=\"Ex1_Correct\" src=\"https:\/\/e-gmat.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/02\/Ex1_Correct.png\" alt=\"Correct Usage of 'due to'\" width=\"351\" height=\"95\" \/><\/a>In sentence 2, use of \u2018due to\u2019 is correct because it is used to explain the reason behind \u2018the cold wave\u2019.  In other words, it is used to explain the reason behind the \u201cnoun\u201d.  This is idiomatically correct.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>RULE 2<\/strong>: \u2018Due to\u2019 is correct if the sentence makes sense when you replace \u2018due to\u2019 with \u2019caused by\u2019.  If, it does not, then use of \u2018due to\u2019 is not correct.<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/e-gmat.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/02\/Ex1_Wrong_Causedby1.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-101\" title=\"Ex1_Wrong_Causedby\" src=\"https:\/\/e-gmat.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/02\/Ex1_Wrong_Causedby1.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"351\" height=\"95\" \/><\/a>Here when \u2018due to\u2019 is replaced with \u2019caused by\u2019, the sentence does not make sense.  This check also proves that usage of \u2018due to\u2019 is incorrect.<a href=\"https:\/\/e-gmat.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/02\/Ex1_Correct_Causedby.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-78\" title=\"Ex1_Correct_Causedby\" src=\"https:\/\/e-gmat.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/02\/Ex1_Correct_Causedby.png\" alt=\"'due to' replaced with 'caused by'\" width=\"351\" height=\"95\" \/><\/a>Here when \u2018due to\u2019 is replaced with \u2019caused by\u2019, the sentence makes complete sense.  This check proves that usage of \u2018due to\u2019 is correct.<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\">What is \"Because of\" used for?<\/h2>\n<p><strong>Rule 3:<\/strong> The expression 'because of' is used to modify entire clauses.  Thus, you can use this expression to present reason for an action in the clause.<\/p>\n<p>Sentence 1 above can be corrected by replacing 'due to' with 'because of'.  Now 'because of' modifies the clause presenting the reason why it is cold in Arizona.<a href=\"https:\/\/e-gmat.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/02\/Ex1_Correct_BecauseOf.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-80\" title=\"Ex1_Correct_BecauseOf\" src=\"https:\/\/e-gmat.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/02\/Ex1_Correct_BecauseOf.png\" alt=\"Correct use of Because of\" width=\"351\" height=\"95\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h2>What are correct and incorrect usages of 'Due to', 'Caused by',&amp; 'Because of\"?<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">The parent-teacher meeting was canceled due to heavy rains. \u2013 INCORRECT<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>\u2018Due to\u2019 modifies the action in the preceding clause and hence is not used correctly.<\/em><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">The parent-teacher meeting was canceled caused by heavy rains. \u2013 INCORRECT<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>Note how when \u201cdue to\u201d is replaced with \u201ccaused by\u201d, the sentence no longer makes sense.<\/em><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #339966;\">The parent-teacher meeting was canceled because of heavy rains. \u2013 CORRECT<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>\u2018because of\u2019 modifies the action in preceding clause, indicating why the meeting was canceled.<\/em><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #339966;\">The cancellation of parent-teacher meeting was due to heavy rains. \u2013 CORRECT<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>\u2018Due to\u2019 modifies the noun \u2013 cancellation.<\/em><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #339966;\">The cancellation of parent-teacher meeting was caused by heavy rains.- CORRECT<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>Note how when \u201cdue to\u201d is replaced with \u201ccaused by\u201d, the sentence makes complete sense.<\/em><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>How does GMAT test this concept?<\/h2>\n<p>In OG12, Question 6 tests the usage of \u201cdue to\u201d.  In the original sentence, \u2018due to\u2019 used incorrectly.  Since \u2018due to\u2019 is used to modify nouns, the sentence nonsensically implies that repair was due to the moisture.<\/p>\n<h2>What are the Key Take-Away Messages?<\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li>Use \u2018due to\u2019 only to modify nouns.<\/li>\n<li>Usage of \u2018due to\u2019 is correct, if the sentence makes sense when 'due to' is replaced with \u2019caused by\u2019.<\/li>\n<li>Use \u2018because of\u2019 to modify verbs.<\/li>\n<li>'Due to\u2019 &amp; \u2018because of\u2019 are not interchangeable.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2>Official Sentences (Exercises)<\/h2>\n<p>Given this framework, let\u2019s solve these official questions.  But before we give the detailed solution from the standpoint of \u201cdue to\u201d, \u201cbecause of\u201d, and \u201cbecause\u201d, we want you to take a stab at these.  Give us your rationale for making your selection of the correct answer.  Be sure to provide a detailed analysis at least for \u201cdue to\u201d aspect of the question.<\/p>\n<div>\n<h2>OG12#6<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<p>In late 1997, the chambers inside the pyramid of the Pharaoh Menkaure at Giza were closed to visitors for cleaning and repairing <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">due to moisture exhaled by tourists, which raised its humidity to such levels so that salt from the stone was crystallizing<\/span> and fungus was growing in the walls.<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>due to moisture exhaled by tourists, which raised its humidity to such levels so that salt from the stone was crystallizing<\/li>\n<li>due to moisture that tourists had exhaled, thereby raising its humidity to such levels that salt from the stone would crystallize<\/li>\n<li>because tourists were exhaling moisture, which had raised the humidity within then to levels such that salt from the stone would crystallize<\/li>\n<li>because of moisture that was exhaled by tourists raising the humidity within them to levels so high as to make the salt from the stone crystallize<\/li>\n<li>because moisture exhaled by tourists had raised the humidity within them to such levels that salt from the stone was crystallizing<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<div>\n<h2>GMATPrep<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<p>It seems likely that a number of astronomical phenomena, such as the formation of planetary nebulas, <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">may be caused by the interaction where two stars orbit each other<\/span> at close range.<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>may be caused by the interaction where two stars orbit each other<\/li>\n<li>may be caused by the interaction between two stars that each orbit the other<\/li>\n<li>are because of the interaction between two stars that orbit each other<\/li>\n<li>are caused by the interaction of two stars where each is orbiting the other<\/li>\n<li>are caused by the interaction of two stars orbiting each other<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>To learn usage of other <strong>idioms <\/strong>covered in the<strong> e-GMAT SC course<\/strong>, click <a title=\"e-GMAT SC Concepts Listing\" href=\" https:\/\/e-gmat.com\/mydashboard.php?section=3&amp;section_childs=1\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In conversational English, we may hear or use sentences in which we present reason for something by using the expression \u201cdue to\u201d. While in certain cases, this usage may be&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":132,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9,776,243,719,766],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-14737","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-gmat","category-e-gmat","category-blog","category-sentence-correction-gmat","category-top-stories","entry"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14737","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/132"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14737"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14737\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14738,"href":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14737\/revisions\/14738"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14737"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14737"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14737"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}