<p>I've been wonderin when to use "due to" and when to use "because of." I've been told many times to simply avoid "due to" on the SAT. However i want to clarify this, and I actually want to understand how to use each one correctly in my writing. Thanks!</p>
<p>"Due to" means the same as "caused by." Thus, if you are looking at a sentence and wonder if "due to" is correct replace it with "caused by" to see how the sentence sounds. If it sounds wrong the likely phrase is then "because of." Example:</p>
<p>Correct: His failure on the test was due to his lack of studying.</p>
<p>Incorrect: He failed the test due to lack of studying. ("Caused by" does not fit as a replacement and thus "because of" would be used. Correct would be: He failed the test because of lack of studying.)</p>
<p>Great question! Btw, E.B. White's "Element of Style" is a guide you should have on hand when in doubt about matters of form.</p>
<p>That said, I hope this grammar tip will clarify how to correctly use "due to" in formal writing:</p>
<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>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?”</p>