Because vs. Because of – English Grammar Exercises for B1
You are reading a series of angry and exhausted Facebook status updates from a friend who is stuck at the airport. Choose the best option (A, B, C, or D) to complete each post.
1 “Currently stuck at Terminal 3 ______ a massive snowstorm. Send help!”
(A) because
(B) because of
(C) since
(D) as
2 “My flight to London was just delayed by four hours ______ it is snowing so heavily outside.”
(A) because of
(B) due to
(C) because
(D) owing to
3 “I can’t believe I am sitting on the dirty floor ______ the sudden flight cancellations.”
(A) because
(B) since
(C) as
(D) because of
4 “The airline staff didn’t even offer us any water ______ they are completely overwhelmed right now.”
(A) because of
(B) due to
(C) because
(D) owing to
5 “Just missed my connecting flight ______ a terrible luggage mix-up at the previous gate. “
(A) because
(B) because of
(C) since
(D) as
6 “We are all standing in this endless security line ______ the scanning system crashed.”
(A) because of
(B) due to
(C) because
(D) owing to
7 “I am getting incredibly frustrated ______ the complete lack of communication from the airline.”
(A) because
(B) since
(C) because of
(D) as
8 “They just announced another delay ______ the pilot hasn’t even arrived at the airport yet.”
(A) because of
(B) due to
(C) because
(D) owing to
9 “Currently eating an overpriced, dry sandwich ______ I have absolutely nothing else to do.”
(A) because of
(B) due to
(C) because
(D) owing to
10 “All outbound flights are temporarily grounded ______ severe technical issues with the radar.”
(A) because
(B) since
(C) as
(D) because of
11 “I can’t even charge my phone ______ every single power outlet in this terminal is taken.”
(A) because of
(B) due to
(C) because
(D) owing to
12 “My dream holiday is starting off terribly ______ this ridiculous airport chaos.”
(A) because
(B) because of
(C) since
(D) as
13 “People around me are getting really angry ______ they have been waiting here since 5 AM.”
(A) because of
(B) due to
(C) because
(D) owing to
14 “______ an incoming hurricane, the airport is now officially closed until tomorrow morning. Great.”
(A) Because
(B) Since
(C) Due to
(D) As
15 “I might have to book a hotel nearby ______ the next available flight isn’t until tomorrow.”
(A) because of
(B) due to
(C) owing to
(D) because
16 “Shoutout to the kind stranger who shared their snacks with me ______ my wallet is packed in my checked bag!”
(A) because of
(B) due to
(C) because
(D) owing to
17 “The free Wi-Fi here is completely useless ______ the unusually high number of stranded passengers.”
(A) because
(B) since
(C) because of
(D) as
18 “I am trying my best to stay positive, but it is really hard ______ the constant bad news.”
(A) because
(B) since
(C) as
(D) because of
19 “______ I bought premium travel insurance, I really hope I can get a full refund for this mess.”
(A) Because of
(B) Due to
(C) Owing to
(D) Since
20 “Finally boarding! The gate changed three times ______ terrible organization, but I am finally on the plane! “
(A) because
(B) because of
(C) since
(D) as
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (B) because of
- Why it is correct (The Key): “A massive snowstorm” is a noun phrase. There is no verb. We must use the preposition because of.
- Distractor Analysis: (A), (C), and (D) are conjunctions that require a full clause (Subject + Verb).
2 (C) because
- Why it is correct (The Key): “It is snowing so heavily outside” is a full clause. -> because.
- Distractor Analysis: (A), (B), and (D) are prepositions requiring a noun phrase.
3 (D) because of
- Why it is correct (The Key): “The sudden flight cancellations” is a noun phrase. -> because of.
- Distractor Analysis: (A), (B), and (C) require a full clause.
4 (C) because
- Why it is correct (The Key): “They are completely overwhelmed right now” is a full clause. -> because.
- Distractor Analysis: (A), (B), and (D) require a noun phrase.
5 (B) because of
- Why it is correct (The Key): “A terrible luggage mix-up at the previous gate” is a noun phrase. -> because of.
- Distractor Analysis: (A), (C), and (D) require a full clause.
6 (C) because
- Why it is correct (The Key): “The scanning system crashed” is a full clause. -> because.
- Distractor Analysis: (A), (B), and (D) require a noun phrase.
7 (C) because of
- Why it is correct (The Key): “The complete lack of communication from the airline” is a noun phrase. -> because of.
- Distractor Analysis: (A), (B), and (D) require a full clause.
8 (C) because
- Why it is correct (The Key): “The pilot hasn’t even arrived at the airport yet” is a full clause. -> because.
- Distractor Analysis: (A), (B), and (D) require a noun phrase.
9 (C) because
- Why it is correct (The Key): “I have absolutely nothing else to do” is a full clause. -> because.
- Distractor Analysis: (A), (B), and (D) require a noun phrase.
10 (D) because of
- Why it is correct (The Key): “Severe technical issues with the radar” is a noun phrase. -> because of.
- Distractor Analysis: (A), (B), and (C) require a full clause.
11 (C) because
- Why it is correct (The Key): “Every single power outlet in this terminal is taken” is a full clause. -> because.
- Distractor Analysis: (A), (B), and (D) require a noun phrase.
12 (B) because of
- Why it is correct (The Key): “This ridiculous airport chaos” is a noun phrase. -> because of.
- Distractor Analysis: (A), (C), and (D) require a full clause.
13 (C) because
- Why it is correct (The Key): “They have been waiting here since 5 AM” is a full clause. -> because.
- Distractor Analysis: (A), (B), and (D) require a noun phrase.
14 (C) Due to
- Why it is correct (The Key): “An incoming hurricane” is a noun phrase. Due to functions similarly to because of and takes a noun phrase.
- Distractor Analysis: (A), (B), and (D) are conjunctions that require a full clause.
15 (D) because
- Why it is correct (The Key): “The next available flight isn’t until tomorrow” is a full clause. -> because.
- Distractor Analysis: (A), (B), and (C) require a noun phrase.
16 (C) because
- Why it is correct (The Key): “My wallet is packed in my checked bag” is a full clause. -> because.
- Distractor Analysis: (A), (B), and (D) require a noun phrase.
17 (C) because of
- Why it is correct (The Key): “The unusually high number of stranded passengers” is a noun phrase. -> because of.
- Distractor Analysis: (A), (B), and (D) require a full clause.
18 (D) because of
- Why it is correct (The Key): “The constant bad news” is a noun phrase. -> because of.
- Distractor Analysis: (A), (B), and (C) require a full clause.
19 (D) Since
- Why it is correct (The Key): “I bought premium travel insurance” is a full clause. Since functions similarly to because.
- Distractor Analysis: (A), (B), and (C) are prepositions that require a noun phrase.
20 (B) because of
- Why it is correct (The Key): “Terrible organization” is a noun phrase. -> because of.
- Distractor Analysis: (A), (C), and (D) require a full clause.
GRAMMAR POINTS TO REMEMBER
1 Clause vs. Noun Phrase (The Structural Rule)
To express a reason, you must observe the grammatical structure immediately following the blank.
- Use Because (or Since, As) when followed by a Clause (Subject + Verb).
- Example: I am stuck here because the system crashed.
- Use Because of (or Due to, Owing to) when followed by a Noun Phrase, a Pronoun, or a Gerund (V-ing).
- Example: I am stuck here because of a system crash.
2 The Communicative Purpose of “Because of” on Social Media
When posting on platforms like Facebook, Twitter (X), or Instagram, people generally prefer brevity. Long sentences take too much time to read and type. Using Because of + Noun Phrase allows you to deliver the key information (the cause of your problem) rapidly and punchily.
- Wordy (Clause): We are delayed because there is a massive snowstorm.
- Punchy & Direct (Noun Phrase): Delayed because of a massive snowstorm.
3 Vocabulary Variations for B1/B2 Levels
To avoid sounding repetitive in your writing (or your social media rants), use these synonymous structures:
- Instead of Because, you can use Since or As.
- Example: Since I have no Wi-Fi, I am just reading a book.
- Instead of Because of, you can use Due to.
- Example: The flight was canceled due to bad weather.