https://e-gmat.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/DuetoVsBecause1.png In conversational English, we may hear or use sentences in which we present reason for something by using the expression “due to”. While in certain cases, this usage may be grammatically correct. But in certain other scenarios, it is incorrect. In this post, I will discuss these scenarios. Through this discussion, I will also answer the following question Q: Can ‘due to’ and ‘because of’ be used interchangeably? A: No. ‘due to’ is used to modify nouns only. ‘Because of’ is used to modify verbs. Thus, these two expressions cannot be used interchangeably. https://e-gmat.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Celebrating-Milestones1.png What is “Due To” Used for? RULE 1 : The expression ‘due to’ can only be used to modify nouns. Thus, you cannot use this expression to present reason for an action in the clause https://e-gmat.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Ex1_Wrong.png In sentence 1, use of ‘due to’ is incorrect because it is used to explain ‘why it is cold’. In other words, it is used to explain the reason behind the “verb” or “action” in the clause. This is not idiomatically correct. https://e-gmat.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Ex1_Correct.png RULE 2 : ‘Due to’ is correct if the sentence makes sense when you replace ‘due to’ with ’caused by’. If, it does not, then use of ‘due to’ is not correct https://e-gmat.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Ex1_Correct_Causedby.png Here when ‘due to’ is replaced with ’caused by’, the sentence makes complete sense. This check proves that usage of ‘due to’ is correct. https://e-gmat.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/FT-GC-FB-event-e1532524398949.jpg What is “Because of” used for? Rule 3 : 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. 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. https://e-gmat.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Ex1_Correct_BecauseOf.png What are correct and incorrect usages of ‘Due to’, ‘Caused by’,& ‘Because of”? https://gmatclub.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/gmat2-banner11-e1373945998281.jpg The parent-teacher meeting was canceled due to heavy rains. – INCORRECT ‘Due to’ modifies the action in the preceding clause and hence is not used correctly. The parent-teacher meeting was canceled caused by heavy rains. – INCORRECT Note how when “due to” is replaced with “caused by”, the sentence no longer makes sense. The parent-teacher meeting was canceled because of heavy rains. – CORRECT ‘because of’ modifies the action in preceding clause, indicating why the meeting was canceled. The cancellation of parent-teacher meeting was due to heavy rains. – CORRECT ‘Due to’ modifies the noun – cancellation. The cancellation of parent-teacher meeting was caused by heavy rains. - CORRECT Note how when “due to” is replaced with “caused by”, the sentence makes complete sense. What are the Key Take-Away Messages? Use ‘due to’ only to modify nouns. Usage of ‘due to’ is correct, if the sentence makes sense when ‘due to’ is replaced with ’caused by’. Use ‘because of’ to modify verbs. ‘Due to’ & ‘because of’ are not interchangeable. Official Sentences (Exercises) Given this framework, let’s solve these official questions. But before we give the detailed solution from the standpoint of “due to”, “because of”, and “because”, 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 “due to” aspect of the question. OG12#6 In late 1997, the chambers inside the pyramid of the Pharaoh Menkaure at Giza were closed to visitors for cleaning and repairing due to moisture exhaled by tourists, which raised its humidity to such levels so that salt from the stone was crystallizing and fungus was growing in the walls. A. due to moisture exhaled by tourists, which raised its humidity to such levels so that salt from the stone was crystallizing B. due to moisture that tourists had exhaled, thereby raising its humidity to such levels that salt from the stone would crystallize C. because tourists were exhaling moisture, which had raised the humidity within then to levels such that salt from the stone would crystallize D. 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 E. because moisture exhaled by tourists had raised the humidity within them to such levels that salt from the stone was crystallizing GMATPrep It seems likely that a number of astronomical phenomena, such as the formation of planetary nebulas, may be caused by the interaction where two stars orbit each other at close range. A. may be caused by the interaction where two stars orbit each other B. may be caused by the interaction between two stars that each orbit the other C. are because of the interaction between two stars that orbit each other D. are caused by the interaction of two stars where each is orbiting the other E. are caused by the interaction of two stars orbiting each other

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Due to Vs Because of

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piyushjj

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06 Jan 2014, 02:30

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sivasanjeev

piyushjj

Hey SivaSandeep, thanks for nice and detailed explanation. So, if I am understanding it correctly, a pronoun - in main clause - can't refer to a noun subject in a modifier...

sivasanjeev

A modifier will not contain a subject.

piyushjj

Yeah, that's true. Thanks for clarifying. But Can a pronoun - in main clause - refer to a any noun in a modifier? It will be of great help if you can site one or two examples..

Hey,
small mistake from my end. A modifier can contain a subject - but that will be different from the subject of the main independent clause.

For ex: The pen that is red, belongs to me
Subject of main clause + adjectival clause + main verb + object

corrected the same in my explanation above.

Consider this ex.

Its surface temperatures estimated at minus 230 degrees Fahrenheit, Jupiter's moon Europa has long been considered far too cold to support life

The italicized part is an absolute phrase modifying (the entire phrase is modifying) Europa. Its is the possessive pronoun referring to Europa. So, we do have a pronoun in the modifier, which refers to a noun/subject in the main clause.

The other way round, a pronoun in the main clause having its antecedent (the subject/noun) in a modifier may not be possible.

Kudos to you.. Thanks for clarifying...

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26 Jun 2014, 17:07

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egmat

Sachin9

Hi ,

Seems this can't be applied to the gmat prep question I have attached.

economy’s continued strength does act like a noun phrase , yet the correct answer has A as the answer.

Please help.

Regards,
Sach

Hi Sachin,

The basic difference between “due to” and “because of” is that “due to” is used as “caused by” and “because of” is used to present the reason of an action.

Since February, the Federal Reserve has raised its short-term interest rate target five times, and because of the economy’s continued strength, analysts have been predicting for weeks that the target will be raised again in November.

Per this sentence, analysts have been predicting for weeks that the target will be raised again in November. And what is the reason of this prediction? The reason of this prediction is economy’s continued strength. We need to present the reason for analysts’ prediction. Hence, usage of “because of” in choice A is correct.

If you go through the article well, you will see that both “due to” and “because of” are followed by noun entities. “Due to” refers only to a noun entity while “because of” presents reason.

Hope this helps.

Thanks.
Shraddha

Hi Shraddha,

This is a question which buzzed me a lott because i was so confident in replacing 'due to' with 'caused by'.

Originally developed by ancient Hawaiians, surfing appeals to people due to the sport’s unusual confluence of adrenaline, skill, and high paced maneuvering, an unpredictable backdrop that is, by turns, graceful and serene,violent and formidable, and the camaraderie that often develops among people in their common quest to conquer nature.

A• surfing appeals to people due to the sport’s unusual confluence of adrenaline, skill, and high paced maneuvering,
an unpredictable backdrop that is, by turns, graceful and serene, violent and formidable, and the camaraderie that
often develops
B• surfing’s appeal is its unusual confluence of adrenaline, skill, and high paced maneuvering, an unpredictable
backdrop that is, by turns, graceful and serene, violent and formidable, and the camaraderie that often develops
C• surfing’s appeal to people is due to the sport’s unusual confluence of adrenaline, skill, and high paced maneuvering,an unpredictable backdrop that is, by turns, graceful and serene, violent and formidable, and developing camaraderie
D• surfing appeals to people due to the sport’s unusual confluence of adrenaline, skill, and high paced maneuvering,a backdrop that is unpredictable and that is, by turns, gracefully and serenely violent and formidable, and thecamaraderie that often develops
E• surfing appeals to people due to their unusual confluence of adrenaline, skill, and high paced maneuvering, an unpredictable backdrop that is, by turns, graceful and serene, violent and formidable, and the camaraderie that
often develops

Source: Official Guide

originally-developed-by-ancient-hawaiians-surfing-appeals-102734.html

For some reason it violates the rule. Would you please like to comment? A lot of time I try to eliminate answers based on these decision points but end up choosing the wrong option. It frustrates me a lot and I can't seem to get accuracy in SC. Please help!

tusharm78

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27 Jun 2014, 04:10

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egmat

Sachin9

Thanks.
Shraddha

Hi Shraddha,

Thanks for a pertinent and bang on target explanation. Also I noticed one more thing that with "Since" we will be using Present+Progressive tense (have been predicting) which is missing in most of the options. Correct me if my appendage is OK.

Regards
Tushar

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16 Aug 2014, 00:36

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gauravkaushik8591

egmat

Sachin9

Thanks.
Shraddha

I have asked the same doubts. I guess modifier error is far more glaring than due to vs because of issue.
originally-developed-by-ancient-hawaiians-surfing-appeals-102734.html#p1393602

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06 Nov 2014, 09:43

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egmat Shraddha can you please provide the answers and their explanations for the questions posted by you

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Because an oversupply of computer chips has sent prices plunging, the manufacturer has announced that it will cut production by closing its factories for two days a month.

A. Because an oversupply of computer chips has sent prices plunging
B. Because of plunging prices for computer chips, which is due to an oversupply
C. Because computer chip prices have been sent plunging, which resulted from an oversupply
D. Due to plunging computer chip prices from an oversupply
E. Due to an oversupply, with the result that computer chip prices have been sent plunging

(A) is correct here (OG13 ->#33)

(A) The ENTIRE sentence"Because an oversupply of computer chips has sent prices plunging" acts as a MODIFIER that explains the entire idea of the following sentence. Additionally, a clause is correctly following BECAUSE.

(D) The first part here describes the following noun, which is "the manufacturer" --> It doesn't make sense.
Consider this example: Due to a delay in London, the flight was unable to leave until this morning.[/color] --> CORRECT

And here is my wrap up about the usage of because, because of and due to (please correct me if I'm wrong):

<> BECAUSE + Main Clause

Because a gas pipeline exploded, several homes burned down.

<> BECAUSE OF + NOUN Phrase

The laces were quite mad at the shoe because of the treatment they had been receiving as of late.

<> DUE TO + Noun Phrase

THE TRICK
Due to has to follow some form of the verb to be.
he moon’s incessant yawning was due to all the overtime day shifts he had been working.

<> DUE TO THE FACT + Main Clause

The difference must have been due to the fact that Minh had been living in a more pleasant environment for six months.

And here are some usefull links to practice because, because of, due to etc....

https://linguistech.ca/Tips+and+Tricks+- ... vs.+Due+to
https://www.grammar-quizzes.com/19-1.html
https://www2.elc.polyu.edu.hk/cill/exercises/because.htm

Hope this helps.

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27 Oct 2015, 07:12

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egmat :-
Great explanation but a little doubt here : -

DUE TO can modify nouns - acceptable ;
DUE TO replaced by Caused by - acceptable ;
because of modifies entire clauses ;

But isnt it right that because of can be followed by a single noun ;
like of the cause is a single noun because of is appropriate .

I am not sure here . Experts ????

egmat

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rohitkumar77

Hi Rohit,

Thanks for your query and the kind words of appreciation. :-)

Well, I am not sure what exactly your question is. My answer according to what I have been able to understand of your query is that the phrase "because of" can be followed by a single or multiple nouns. Again, these nouns can be singular or plural. The characteristic of the noun will depend upon the context of the sentence. For example:

1. I am not going to the concert because of bad weather an poor health.
2. My brother has become weak because of the medicines he eats everyday.

Hope this helps. :-)

Thanks.
Shraddha

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Can you help clarify the following phrases?

1. Fed's Brainard says caution warranted due to global risks

2. A rating of 5 is warranted due to policy exception

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I request someone to throe light on the usage of due to here in option. According to theory, Due to only refers to nouns and not actions.

Interestingly, a ripe yellow banana appears to glow blue under ultraviolet light, which is likely due to the chlorophyll breakdown that occurs in the peel as the fruit ripens.

A. which is likely due to the chlorophyll breakdown that occurs
B. a phenomenon likely due to the chlorophyll breakdown that occurs
C. because of the chlorophyll breakdown
D. which is likely due to chlorophyll breakdown occurring
E. a phenomenon that is likely because of the chlorophyll breakdown occurs

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This statement suggests that the population of the prized fish species may have declined due to their being caught in greater numbers by fishers, the passage tells us that the number of these fsh caught for human consumption has not increased.

Due to competition from a recently opened SpendLess discount department store, discount stores in Goreville’s central shopping district are expected to close within five years

The loss of jobs could, in theory, have some negative eﬀect on the airline due to lowered morale among remaining employees

Dear experts,

I see these constructions in OG, "due to" in these cases all refer to the action, not noun. Can you shed light on this matter?

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Hello all.

I narrowed down to options A and E, and then chose A because pronoun "them" was ambiguous in E, and it could refer to both tourists and chambers, although no sense if it refers back to tourists. But now I have learnt the concept, so great learning. Thanks all.

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You say that correct form is; It is cold in Arizona because of the westward storm coming from Pacific. However on Magoosh it says that "preposition + noun + participle phrase" is %100 wrong in GMAT. So it says this sentece is wrong: Because of his troops dying from the cold, Napoleon had to retreat from Russia. It says we need to use "because" with a full noun + verb to correct this sentece. Hence accroding to Magoosh logic "...because of the westward storm coming from Pacific" is wrong because it is using "preposition + noun + participle phrase". But you say it is correct. I am confused?

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rohitkumar77

The following fundamental understanding should be enough to identify the correct usage:

"Due to" and "because of" both will ALWAYS be followed by noun because "to" and "of" are prepositions, and objects of prepositions will ALWAYS be noun.

The difference is not in what follows, but in their parts of speech and consequently the verb that is used alongwith these structures:

"Due to": Adjective - the verb can ONLY be "to be" (is/was /are/ were etc):
The stoppage was due to rain.
"Due to rain" is acting as an adjective for "stoppage". Compare with the following:
The bus is blue.

"Because of": Adverb - the verb can be any:
The game stopped because of rain.
"Because of rain" is acting as an adverb for the verb "stopped".

Note that in both cases the noun "rain" follows. (object of preposition "to" and "of").

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05 Sep 2017, 23:40

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Thanks for such a good post. It helped me understand the usage of "due to" and "because of".

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More than ever, paper is expected to be recycled this year, due to new mandatory recycling laws in municipalities across the nation.
(A) More than ever, paper is expected to be recycled this year
(B) It is expected that more paper than ever will be recycled this year than previously and that is
(C) The paper expected to be recycled this year is more than ever
(D) The amount of paper that will be recycled this year is expected to be greater than ever
(E) A great increase in the amount of paper that will be recycled this year is

The OA is D. But it slides of the concepts you mentioned about due to (at least in my opinion) ... can you please explain.

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polpanumas

Hi egmat,

Can you please explain this ?
I don't think that D is stitching with the concept learnt.
IMO, the correct option should be E (as 'due to' will modify the noun 'a great increase')

Also, it would be great if you can provide the OA for the two practice questions in the article.

Regards.

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Dear Experts,

I wonder why this phrase: (E) "..because moisture exhaled by tourists had raised the humidity within them to such levels that salt from the stone was crystallizin"... is not ambiguous, as the word "them" in this phrase might refer to tourists, chambers, visitors and/or tourists?

Regards

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Two new studies indicate that many people become obese more due to the fact that their bodies burn calories too slowly than overeating.

(A) due to the fact that their bodies burn calories too slowly than overeating

(B) due to their bodies burning calories too slowly than to eating too much

(C) because their bodies bum calories too slowly than that they are overeaters

(D) because their bodies bum calories too slowly than because they eat too much

(E) because of their bodies burning calories too slowly than because of their eating too much

Pl explain selection between "due to" and "because of" in above question.