When to Use ‘because of this’ as a Linking Phrase
The linking phrase because of this is used to show a direct cause-and-effect relationship between two ideas. It tells the reader that what follows is a direct result of what was just stated. For example: “The train was delayed. Because of this, I missed my meeting.” The phrase connects the delay (cause) to the missed meeting (effect). It is a practical, everyday linking tool that works in both formal and informal writing, but it has specific rules about tone and placement that can make your English sound more natural.
Quick Answer: When to Use ‘because of this’
Use because of this when you want to clearly state that one thing caused another. It is best used in the middle of a paragraph or sentence to link a reason to a result. Avoid using it at the very start of an essay or in very formal academic papers where alternatives like therefore or consequently may be preferred. In emails, conversations, and everyday writing, it is a natural and effective choice.
Understanding the Core Meaning
The phrase because of this is a prepositional phrase that functions as a linking adverbial. It points backward to a previously mentioned cause and introduces its effect. The word this refers to the cause, so the reader must already know what the cause is. This makes it a cohesive device that keeps your writing connected.
Compare these two sentences:
- “It rained all day. Because of this, the picnic was cancelled.”
- “It rained all day. The picnic was cancelled.”
The first version is clearer because it explicitly shows the relationship. The second version leaves the reader to guess the connection.
Formal vs. Informal Tone
Because of this sits in the middle of the formality spectrum. It is less formal than consequently or therefore, but more formal than so or that’s why. This makes it a versatile choice for most writing situations.
| Context | Appropriate? | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Academic essay | Use with caution | “The data was incomplete. Because of this, the results were inconclusive.” (Acceptable in less formal academic writing, but therefore is more common.) |
| Business email | Yes | “The client requested changes. Because of this, we need to revise the proposal.” |
| Casual conversation | Yes | “I forgot to set my alarm. Because of this, I was late for work.” |
| Formal report | Less common | Use consequently or as a result instead. |
Comparison Table: ‘because of this’ vs. Similar Phrases
| Phrase | Formality | Best Used In | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| because of this | Neutral | Emails, conversations, informal essays | “The server crashed. Because of this, we lost the data.” |
| therefore | Formal | Academic papers, formal reports | “The experiment failed. Therefore, we must repeat it.” |
| so | Informal | Conversations, casual writing | “The store was closed, so I went home.” |
| as a result | Neutral to formal | Essays, reports, professional writing | “Funding was cut. As a result, the project ended.” |
| consequently | Formal | Academic and formal writing | “The policy changed. Consequently, profits fell.” |
Natural Examples
Here are examples of because of this used in different real-life situations.
In an Email
“Dear Team, The supplier has informed us of a delay in shipping. Because of this, the deadline for the first draft has been extended by two days. Please adjust your schedules accordingly. Best, Maria”
In a Conversation
“I didn’t sleep well last night. Because of this, I’m going to skip the gym today and rest instead.”
In an Essay
“The industrial revolution led to rapid urbanization. Because of this, cities grew faster than infrastructure could support, resulting in overcrowded housing and sanitation problems.”
In a Study Note
“The formula requires a catalyst to speed up the reaction. Because of this, you must add the catalyst before heating the mixture.”
Common Mistakes
Even advanced learners sometimes misuse because of this. Here are the most frequent errors.
Mistake 1: Using it without a clear cause
Wrong: “I was tired. Because of this, I went to bed.” (The cause is clear, but the sentence is weak because because of this is unnecessary when the cause is obvious. Use it only when the connection needs emphasis.)
Better: “I had worked twelve hours straight. Because of this, I went to bed as soon as I got home.” (Now the cause is specific and the phrase adds value.)
Mistake 2: Confusing it with ‘because’
Wrong: “Because of this the rain, the game was cancelled.” (Do not add a noun after because of this. The phrase already contains this.)
Correct: “Because of this, the game was cancelled.” OR “Because of the rain, the game was cancelled.”
Mistake 3: Overusing it in one paragraph
Wrong: “The first test was easy. Because of this, I felt confident. The second test was harder. Because of this, I struggled. The third test was very long. Because of this, I ran out of time.”
Better: “The first test was easy, so I felt confident. The second test was harder, and because of this, I struggled. The third test was very long, which caused me to run out of time.”
Mistake 4: Using it in very formal academic writing
In a research paper, because of this can sound slightly informal. Use therefore or consequently instead.
Better Alternatives
Depending on your context, you may want to choose a different linking phrase. Here are some alternatives and when to use them.
| Alternative | When to Use |
|---|---|
| therefore | Formal writing, logical conclusions |
| as a result | Neutral to formal, cause-effect in reports |
| consequently | Formal, when the effect is significant |
| so | Informal, conversation, quick emails |
| that’s why | Very informal, spoken English |
| hence | Very formal, old-fashioned, academic |
When to Use ‘because of this’
Use because of this when:
- You want to clearly link a cause to an effect in a neutral tone.
- You are writing an email, a blog post, a personal essay, or a study note.
- The cause is stated in the previous sentence or clause.
- You want to avoid the overly formal sound of therefore or consequently.
- You are speaking or writing in a professional but not academic context.
Mini Practice Section
Test your understanding of because of this. Choose the best option for each sentence.
Question 1: “The internet connection was unstable. ______, the video call kept dropping.”
A) Because of this
B) Because of that
C) Because this
Answer: A) Because of this. The phrase refers to the unstable connection mentioned in the previous sentence.
Question 2: “She studied every day for a month. ______, she passed the exam with high marks.”
A) Because of this
B) Because of these
C) Because
Answer: A) Because of this. The cause is the daily studying, which is a singular idea.
Question 3: “The company lost several major clients. ______, they had to reduce their workforce.”
A) Because of this
B) Therefore
C) Both A and B are acceptable
Answer: C) Both A and B are acceptable. Because of this is neutral, while therefore is slightly more formal. Choose based on the tone of your writing.
Question 4: “______ the heavy traffic, we arrived late.”
A) Because of this
B) Because of
C) Because
Answer: B) Because of. When you specify the cause directly (heavy traffic), use because of without this.
FAQ: ‘because of this’
1. Can I start a sentence with ‘because of this’?
Yes, you can. It is common and correct to start a sentence with because of this to show that the new sentence is a result of the previous one. For example: “The budget was approved. Because of this, we can hire new staff.”
2. Is ‘because of this’ the same as ‘because of that’?
No, they are not the same. Because of this refers to something just mentioned or close in context. Because of that refers to something further away in the text or conversation. Use this for recent causes and that for causes mentioned earlier.
3. Can I use ‘because of this’ in a single sentence?
Yes, you can use it within a single sentence. For example: “He missed the deadline, and because of this, the project was delayed.” The phrase connects the two clauses within the same sentence.
4. What is the difference between ‘because of this’ and ‘due to this’?
Both are similar, but due to this is slightly more formal and is often used in written English. Because of this is more common in everyday speech and writing. For example: “The flight was cancelled due to this weather condition” (formal) vs. “The flight was cancelled because of this” (neutral).
Final Tips
To use because of this effectively, remember these three points:
- Always ensure the cause is clearly stated before using the phrase.
- Do not overuse it in a single paragraph; vary your linking phrases.
- Match the formality of your text. Use it in emails, conversations, and informal essays, but choose therefore or consequently for formal academic papers.
For more help with linking words, explore our Linking Words by Purpose section. You can also check Transition Word Examples for more phrases like this one. If you have questions, visit our FAQ page or contact us.
