Because introduces a reason, but alternatives do not all work in the same grammatical position. Some take a full clause, while others must be followed by a noun phrase.
Which Term Best Fits “Because”?
These 13 options for Because are grouped by meaning so you can match the wording to the sentence instead of treating every item as interchangeable.
- Since
- As
- Given that
- Considering that
- Seeing that
- Inasmuch as
- Because of
- Due to
- Owing to
- On account of
- As a result of
- In view of
- For
Since
Since fits the followed by a clause sense of Because. Use it when these conjunctions introduce a complete reason clause.
Example: The writer chose “Since” because a full subject-and-verb reason follows.
As
As fits the followed by a clause sense of Because. Use it when these conjunctions introduce a complete reason clause.
Example: In this context, “As” fits because a full subject-and-verb reason follows.
Given that
Given that fits the followed by a clause sense of Because. Use it when these conjunctions introduce a complete reason clause.
Example: The editor used “Given that” for a sentence where a full subject-and-verb reason follows.
Considering that
Considering that fits the followed by a clause sense of Because. Use it when these conjunctions introduce a complete reason clause.
Example: Here, “Considering that” works naturally because a full subject-and-verb reason follows.
Seeing that
Seeing that fits the followed by a clause sense of Because. Use it when these conjunctions introduce a complete reason clause.
Example: A suitable choice is “Seeing that” when a full subject-and-verb reason follows.
Inasmuch as
Inasmuch as fits the followed by a clause sense of Because. Use it when these conjunctions introduce a complete reason clause.
Example: The writer chose “Inasmuch as” because a full subject-and-verb reason follows.
Because of
Because of fits the followed by a noun phrase sense of Because. Use it when these phrases introduce a noun or noun phrase rather than a complete clause.
Example: In this context, “Because of” fits because a noun phrase gives the cause.
Due to
Due to fits the followed by a noun phrase sense of Because. Use it when these phrases introduce a noun or noun phrase rather than a complete clause.
Example: The editor used “Due to” for a sentence where a noun phrase gives the cause.
Owing to
Owing to fits the followed by a noun phrase sense of Because. Use it when these phrases introduce a noun or noun phrase rather than a complete clause.
Example: Here, “Owing to” works naturally because a noun phrase gives the cause.
On account of
On account of fits the followed by a noun phrase sense of Because. Use it when these phrases introduce a noun or noun phrase rather than a complete clause.
Example: A suitable choice is “On account of” when a noun phrase gives the cause.
As a result of
As a result of fits the followed by a noun phrase sense of Because. Use it when these phrases introduce a noun or noun phrase rather than a complete clause.
Example: The writer chose “As a result of” because a noun phrase gives the cause.
In view of
In view of fits the followed by a noun phrase sense of Because. Use it when these phrases introduce a noun or noun phrase rather than a complete clause.
Example: In this context, “In view of” fits because a noun phrase gives the cause.
For
For fits the concise literary use sense of Because. Use it when the word can introduce a reason in more formal or literary prose.
Example: The editor used “For” for a sentence where a writer gives a reason in an independent clause.
How to Choose the Right Word for “Because”
Use since or as when a full clause follows, and because of, due to, or owing to before a noun phrase. “For” can mean because, but it is more literary and normally joins clauses rather than replacing because everywhere.