'' due to '' vs '' because of ''

[CR7_ManUtd]

<p>When do we use ''due to'' and ''because of'' .I am not sure if the SAT tests this part of the grammar,but after doing the today`s QOTD,I realized i am not sure if I distinguish 'due to' and 'because of' properly</p>

[driscol]

<p>

Due to and because of are often used interchangeably in both written and spoken language. However, these two phrases have different meanings; thus, they are not interchangeable.</p>

<p>Due to is an adjectival prepositional phrase, meaning it modifies a noun. It is commonly preceded by a form of the verb to be (be, is, are, was, were, etc.). Because it follows a be verb, it is considered a subject complement: It modifies the subject of the sentence.</p>

<p>Ex: Jeff Gordon’s loss was due to a broken tie rod.</p>

<p>In the above example, the adjectival prepositional phrase due to a broken tie rod follows was (a form of the verb to be) and modifies the subject of the sentence: Jeff Gordon’s loss.</p>

<p>Because of is an adverbial prepositional phrase, meaning it modifies a verb. It usually answers the question, “Why?”</p>

<p>Ex: Jeff Gordon lost because of a broken tie rod.</p>

<p>The adverbial prepositional phrase because of a broken tie rod, as seen in this example, answers the question, “Why did Jeff Gordon lose?”

Taken from UHouston-Victoria site.</p>

[tim739]

<p>Here’s a simplified answer CR7.</p>

<p>In the interior of the Arctic islands during the melting </p>

<p>season, even small streams must be crossed </p>

<p>with great care because near-zero water </p>

<p>temperatures and the typically rocky and unstable </p>

<p>nature of stream beds. No error </p>

<p>You don’t think you know the answer, but you do. Read it aloud- does it sound right? Say aloud: ‘Even small streams must be crossed with care because near-zero water temperatures’. It doesn’t sound right! To make it right, we should make it ‘because of’ or ‘due to’.</p>

<p>Always, always read it out loud to yourself.</p>