Due to vs. Owing to

Attribute	Due to	Owing to
Definition	Because of	Because of
Usage	Formal	Formal
Preposition	Preposition	Preposition
Followed by	Noun or noun phrase	Noun or noun phrase
Commonly used in	Written English	Written English

Definition

Both "due to" and "owing to" are phrases used to indicate the reason or cause of something. They are often used interchangeably, but there are subtle differences in their usage and meaning.

Usage

The phrase "due to" is more commonly used in formal writing and is considered more appropriate in academic or professional contexts. It is often used to introduce a noun or noun phrase that explains the reason for something. For example, "The delay in the project was due to unforeseen circumstances."

On the other hand, "owing to" is slightly less formal and is more commonly used in spoken English. It is often followed by a verb or verb phrase and is used to indicate the cause of an action or event. For example, "The event was canceled owing to bad weather."

Structure

One key difference between "due to" and "owing to" is their grammatical structure. "Due to" is followed by a noun or noun phrase, while "owing to" is followed by a verb or verb phrase. This difference in structure can impact the flow and clarity of a sentence.

For example, consider the following sentences: "The meeting was canceled due to a scheduling conflict" and "The meeting was canceled owing to a scheduling conflict." In the first sentence, "due to" is followed by the noun phrase "a scheduling conflict," while in the second sentence, "owing to" is followed by the verb phrase "a scheduling conflict." This subtle difference in structure can affect the overall tone and formality of the sentence.

Formality

As mentioned earlier, "due to" is generally considered more formal than "owing to." This difference in formality can impact the appropriateness of each phrase in different contexts. In academic or professional writing, where a more formal tone is often required, "due to" may be preferred. In contrast, in casual conversation or informal writing, "owing to" may be more appropriate.

It is important to consider the level of formality required in a given context when choosing between "due to" and "owing to." Using the appropriate phrase can help convey the intended tone and level of professionalism in your writing.

Clarity

Another factor to consider when choosing between "due to" and "owing to" is clarity. While both phrases can be used to indicate cause or reason, the choice between them can impact the clarity of the sentence. In some cases, one phrase may be more precise or concise than the other.

For example, consider the following sentences: "The project was delayed due to unforeseen circumstances" and "The project was delayed owing to unforeseen circumstances." In this case, "due to" may be considered more concise and direct, while "owing to" may add a slightly more nuanced or descriptive tone to the sentence.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while "due to" and "owing to" are often used interchangeably, there are subtle differences in their usage and meaning. "Due to" is more formal and is followed by a noun or noun phrase, while "owing to" is slightly less formal and is followed by a verb or verb phrase. The choice between these phrases can impact the formality, structure, and clarity of a sentence, so it is important to consider the context and intended tone when choosing between them.