Grammar Notes: Reasons & cause / effect
Examples below are original practice models (not taken from any textbook).
1. Because (conjunction)
Introduces a reason clause: after because, include a subject and a verb (and other words if needed).
Example: Evening classes were popular because many learners worked during the day.
2. Because of (preposition)
Means “as a result of.” It is followed by a noun phrase, a pronoun, or a gerund phrase — not a clause with its own subject + finite verb.
Example: Evening classes were popular because of flexible scheduling.
3. Focus on the cause (verbs)
Pattern: [cause] + verb + [effect]. Common verbs: causes, leads to, results in.
Example: A rushed redesign led to confusion among new users.
4. Focus on the effect (phrases)
Pattern: [effect] + be + phrase + [cause]. Common phrases: caused by, due to, the result of.
Example: The confusion was due to a rushed redesign.