On Account of vs. Owing to

Attribute	On Account of	Owing to
Meaning	Because of	Because of
Formality	Formal	Formal
Usage	More common in written English	More common in written English
Length	3 words	2 words

Definition

Both "on account of" and "owing to" are prepositional phrases that are used to indicate the reason or cause of something. They are often used interchangeably, but there are subtle differences in their usage and connotations.

Usage

While both phrases can be used to introduce a reason or cause, "on account of" is more formal and is often used in written language or formal speech. "Owing to," on the other hand, is more commonly used in everyday speech and informal writing. Both phrases can be used at the beginning of a sentence or within a sentence to provide a reason or cause for something.

Connotation

The phrase "on account of" tends to have a more formal and serious connotation compared to "owing to." When using "on account of," the reason or cause being provided is often seen as more significant or weighty. On the other hand, "owing to" can sometimes have a more casual or light-hearted connotation, depending on the context in which it is used.

Structure

Both "on account of" and "owing to" can be followed by a noun, pronoun, or gerund to complete the sentence. For example, "The game was canceled on account of the rain" or "The meeting was postponed owing to a scheduling conflict." In some cases, "owing to" can also be followed by a clause, such as "Owing to the fact that it was raining, the picnic was moved indoors."

Formality

As mentioned earlier, "on account of" is generally considered more formal than "owing to." Therefore, if you are writing a formal document or giving a formal speech, you may want to use "on account of" to convey a sense of seriousness and importance. However, in everyday conversation or informal writing, "owing to" is perfectly acceptable and may even sound more natural.

Examples

• "The event was canceled on account of bad weather."
• "The project was delayed owing to a lack of funding."
• "The team won the game on account of their strong defense."
• "The concert was rescheduled owing to the lead singer's illness."

Conclusion

While "on account of" and "owing to" are similar in meaning and can often be used interchangeably, there are subtle differences in their formality, connotations, and usage. Understanding these differences can help you choose the right phrase for the context in which you are writing or speaking. Whether you opt for the more formal "on account of" or the more casual "owing to," both phrases serve the same purpose of providing a reason or cause for something.