Due to vs. On Account of
What's the Difference?
Due to and on account of are both phrases used to indicate the cause or reason for something. However, "due to" is more commonly used in formal writing and is often followed by a noun or noun phrase, while "on account of" is slightly more formal and can be followed by a noun or a gerund. Both phrases can be used interchangeably in most cases, but "due to" is generally preferred in more formal contexts.
Comparison
| Attribute | Due to | On Account of |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Because of | Because of |
| Usage | Commonly used in formal writing | Less formal, more conversational |
| Formality | Formal | Less formal |
| Length | Shorter | Longer |
| Frequency | More frequent | Less frequent |
Further Detail
Definition
Due to and on account of are both phrases used to indicate the reason or cause of something. However, they are not always interchangeable. Due to is typically used before a noun or pronoun, while on account of is used before a gerund or noun phrase. For example, "The game was canceled due to rain" and "The game was canceled on account of the rain."
Usage
Due to is more commonly used in formal writing, while on account of is more informal. Due to is often preferred in academic or professional settings, while on account of is more commonly used in everyday speech. Both phrases can be used to explain the cause of an event or situation, but due to is considered more precise and formal.
Clarity
Due to is often preferred for its clarity and specificity. It directly connects the cause to the effect, making the relationship between the two clear. On account of can sometimes be seen as more vague or indirect, as it does not always clearly indicate the cause and effect relationship. For this reason, due to is often favored in writing that requires precision and clarity.
Formality
As mentioned earlier, due to is considered more formal than on account of. Due to is often used in academic papers, reports, and other formal documents where precision and clarity are important. On account of, on the other hand, is more commonly used in casual conversation or informal writing. The choice between the two phrases can depend on the level of formality required in a given context.
Variety
While due to is more commonly used in formal writing, on account of can add variety to your writing. Using the same phrase repeatedly can make your writing sound monotonous or repetitive. By incorporating both due to and on account of into your writing, you can add variety and interest to your prose. However, it is important to use each phrase appropriately to maintain clarity and precision.
Examples
- Due to the heavy rain, the outdoor concert was moved indoors.
- The outdoor concert was moved indoors on account of the heavy rain.
- She missed the meeting due to a scheduling conflict.
- On account of a scheduling conflict, she missed the meeting.
- The project was delayed due to unforeseen circumstances.
- On account of unforeseen circumstances, the project was delayed.
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