because

Everyday

1. Because gives the reason for something: I am wet because it rained. tree →
2. «Because of» comes before a noun to give the reason: The game stopped because of the rain. tree →
3. (casual) «Cos», «coz», «'cause» and in texts «bc» or «bcos» are short spoken or texted forms of because. tree →
4. (casual) «Because» alone, or «Just because», is a refusal to give a reason: «Why?» «Because I said so.» tree →
5. (formal) The exam voice says «owing to», «due to», «on account of», «since», «in consequence of», «by virtue of» where a child would say «because». tree →

In the lessons

the student's reason: which word made it choose the operation («I add because of «more»»); in science «because» explains a cause («Ice melts because it gets warm»); in maths «explain why» answers start with «because»; in stories it links what happened to why; in casual talk and texts «cos», «'cause», «bc»; in rough talk the parent's «because I said so»; in the exam voice «owing to», «due to», «on account of», «by virtue of the fact that»

Examples

• Student: I add : 9 (because of «more») tree →
• We subtract because some cookies were eaten. tree →
• We multiply because there are 4 equal groups. tree →
• I stayed home because I was sick. tree →
• The plant died because it had no water. tree →
• We could not play outside because of the storm. tree →
• Leaves fall in autumn because the days grow cold. tree →
• She smiled because she got a gold star. tree →
• cant come cos mum says no tree →
• only got 3 left bc my brother ate the rest tree →
• «Why do I have to go to bed?» «Because I said so, that's why.» tree →
• Owing to the inclement weather, the outing was postponed. tree →
• “Because I am grown up, dearest. tree →

Note

In the student's answers «because of «…»» names the cue word it relied on. Trap: the named word can be a wrong cue, such as «more» in «how many more … than». «Because» answers a «why» question. Use «because of» before a noun («because of the rain»), «because» before a whole sentence («because it rained»). «cos» and «bc» mean exactly «because» and are fine in chat, not in written work. «Owing to» and «due to» in an exam give a reason; the reason itself rarely changes the numbers.

In Jewish tradition

the student's reason: which word made it choose the operation («I add because of «more»»); in science «because» explains a cause («Ice melts because it gets warm»); in maths «explain why» answers start with «because»; in stories it links what happened to why; in casual talk and texts «cos», «'cause», «bc»; in rough talk the parent's «because I said so»; in the exam voice «owing to», «due to», «on account of», «by virtue of the fact that»

Examples

• Wilt thou trust him, because his strength is great? (Writings JOB.39.11, JPS 1917) tree →
• So Jonah was exceeding glad because of the gourd. (Prophets JON.4.6, JPS 1917) tree →
• And they were adread because of the children of Israel. (Torah EXO.1.12, JPS 1917) tree →
• My wounds are noisome, they fester, because of my foolishness. (Writings PSA.38.6, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

In the student's answers «because of «…»» names the cue word it relied on. Trap: the named word can be a wrong cue, such as «more» in «how many more … than». «Because» answers a «why» question. Use «because of» before a noun («because of the rain»), «because» before a whole sentence («because it rained»). «cos» and «bc» mean exactly «because» and are fine in chat, not in written work. «Owing to» and «due to» in an exam give a reason; the reason itself rarely changes the numbers.