Prepositions of Cause, Reason, and Purpose in English: Grammar Rules, Usage & Examples

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English – Intermediate, English Prepositions

Prepositions of Cause, Reason, and Purpose in English

Prepositions play a crucial role in English grammar as they help establish relationships between different elements in a sentence. Among them, prepositions of cause, reason, and purpose clarify why something happens, the reason behind an event, or the intention behind an action. Understanding their usage correctly enhances fluency and accuracy in writing and speaking.

Usage of Prepositions of Cause, Reason, and Purpose

1. Prepositions of Cause

Prepositions of cause explain why something happens. They indicate the factor that caused a particular outcome.

Common Prepositions of Cause:

Because of
Due to
On account of
Owing to

Examples:

The match was postponed because of the heavy rain.
She failed the test due to a lack of preparation.

2. Prepositions of Reason

Prepositions of reason indicate the reason behind an action. They explain why a particular situation exists.

Common Prepositions of Reason:

For
From
Out of

Examples:

He was praised for his honesty.
She started crying out of frustration.

3. Prepositions of Purpose

Prepositions of purpose express the goal or aim of an action.

Common Prepositions of Purpose:

For
To
With a view to

Examples:

She studies hard for a better future.
He left early to catch the train.

Situations Where Prepositions of Cause, Reason, and Purpose Are Used

Explaining consequences (e.g., “The flight was delayed because of bad weather.”)
Stating reasons behind actions (e.g., “She apologized for her mistake.”)
Indicating an emotional or physical reaction (e.g., “He shivered from cold.”)
Expressing motivations and intentions (e.g., “He works hard for success.”)
Providing justifications (e.g., “She was fined on account of reckless driving.”)

List of Prepositions of Cause, Reason, and Purpose with Example Sentences

Preposition	Type	Example Sentence 1	Example Sentence 2
Because of	Cause	The flight was canceled because of fog.	He missed school because of illness.
Due to	Cause	The event was postponed due to rain.	The project failed due to mismanagement.
On account of	Cause	The road was closed on account of construction.	She resigned on account of personal reasons.
Owing to	Cause	The traffic was heavy owing to an accident.	The delay was owing to technical issues.
For	Reason	He received an award for bravery.	She was admired for her kindness.
From	Reason	He suffered from a severe headache.	She is recovering from an injury.
Out of	Reason	She spoke out of anger.	He donated money out of generosity.
To	Purpose	He went to the store to buy groceries.	She practices daily to improve her skills.
For	Purpose	He exercises for good health.	She took a course for career growth.
With a view to	Purpose	She is saving money with a view to buying a house.	He trained hard with a view to winning the championship.

More Example Sentences

She couldn’t attend the meeting because of an emergency.
The project was unsuccessful due to insufficient funding.
They were punished for breaking the rules.
He retired early on account of health issues.
She screamed out of fear.
The campaign was launched with a view to raising awareness.
He is respected for his contributions to science.
The doctor prescribed medicine for flu symptoms.
She skipped lunch owing to her busy schedule.
He studied abroad to gain international exposure.

Fill in the Blanks

The match was canceled ___ heavy rain.
He was awarded a medal ___ his bravery.
She left early ___ pick up her kids.
The school was closed ___ bad weather.
He donated money ___ kindness.
She was fined ___ reckless driving.
He started crying ___ frustration.
She took this job ___ a better future.
He trained hard ___ winning the championship.
The company shut down ___ financial losses.

Answers:

Because of
For
To
Due to
Out of
On account of
Out of
For
With a view to
Owing to

Things to Keep in Mind

“Because of” vs. “Due to”: “Due to” is often followed by a noun, while “because of” is more flexible.
“For” can indicate both reason and purpose, so its meaning depends on context.
“Owing to” and “on account of” are formal and commonly used in written English.
“To” always indicates purpose, while “from” often signifies the origin of a reason.
Double-check preposition usage in formal writing, as incorrect usage can alter meaning.

Conclusion

Mastering prepositions of cause, reason, and purpose is essential for effective communication. These prepositions help clarify why actions happen and the intent behind them. By understanding their nuances and practicing their use, learners can improve their fluency and accuracy in English. Keep practicing with different examples to develop confidence in using these prepositions correctly!

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