How to use 'It/This is because'

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Aim:

This slideshowpage aims to help you to use It is because and This is because correctly.

Language Analysis:
It is because is used in the following situations:

To introduce an explanation of cause and effect use It is because:

It is because of parents like her that our school is such a wonderful place. (like= similar to)
It is because of my close association with the organisation that I know all the good that it does.
It is because the body is a machine that education is possible.
It is because workers today produce far more than those in the past that we have a higher standard of living.

Structure:
It is because + cause + ‘that’ + effect.

Grammar:
It is because of + cause (noun or noun phrase) + ‘that’+ effect (clause).
e.g. It is because of your smile that I feel happy.
It is because + cause (clause with a subject and a verb) + ‘that’ + effect (clause).
e.g. It is because you smiled that I feel happy.

To refer back to a cause, then give an effect, use it is because of this:

These countries’ economies are in great turmoil and it is because of this that pollution creates a huge problem.
I know you. I understand you, and it is because of this that I love you.
A black coat appears black because it absorbs all the wavelengths of visual light that fall on it and no light is reflected into the eye from that object. It is because of this that black clothes become hotter on a sunny day than white ones.

Structures:
Cause + ‘and’ + ‘it is because of this that’ + effect
Cause + ‘.’ + ‘It is because of this that’ + effect

To give an effect first, then explain the cause, use this is because:

Out in space, the sky looks black, instead of blue. This is because there is no atmosphere.
As the sun begins to set, the light must travel farther through the atmosphere before it gets to you. More of the light is reflected and scattered. As less reaches you directly, the sun appears less bright. The colour of the sun itself appears to change, first to orange and then to red. This is because even more of the short wavelength blues and greens are now scattered. Only the longer wavelengths are left in the direct beam that reaches your eyes.
Agents often work more than 40 hours a week. They must often work in the evenings or on weekends. This is because most buyers and sellers are free only at those times.

To answer questions, use it is because, this is because, or because:

How can it be that an “awesome” God knows me by name and loves me without reservation? It is because He created me.
So why is Bush taking on the thankless issue of immigration? I believe it is because he sees the consequences for all Americans of our current dysfunctional policy.
Teens seem to have a need to feel that fear, as evidenced by the popularity of shocker, gross-out, supernatural and altogether scary books. Is it that the good guys and bad guys are easier to tell apart? Or maybe it is because those vampires and werewolves go through physical transformations that make puberty feel like a bump in the road?

Why are most large-sized tumours treated by removal of the eye? This is because the amount of radiation required to kill a tumour which fills most of the eye, is just too much for the eye to stand.

“Why are you doing that?” “Because I like it.”

In 'if ' and 'when' sentences use it is because:

If I look confused it is because I am thinking.
If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.
When consumers complain that prices of CDs are too high it is because they are.

Exercise

Use the grammar information above to help you choose the correct word from the drop-down list:

__________ the space programme that we have such things as non-stick frying pans and digital watches.

Answer:

It is because of the space programme that we have such things as non-stick frying pans and digital watches.

Explanation:
The space programme is a noun phrase, so use of.
Poetry has the power to change our way of thinking, and __________ that we must begin to study it early in life.

Answer:

Poetry has the power to change our way of thinking, and it is because of this that we must begin to study it early in life.

Explanation:
This follows the refer back to a cause, then give an effect rule given above.
The gravity on Neptune is 1.19 times of the gravity on Earth. __________ it is such a large planet.

Answer:

The gravity on Neptune is 1.19 times of the gravity on Earth. This is because it is such a large planet.

Explanation:
The effect is first, then the cause. See the rule above.
This is because of is wrong because it is such a large planet is a clause, not a noun phrase.
Why do we feel cooler on a windy day? __________ the wind evaporates the sweat from our bodies.

Answer:

Why do we feel cooler on a windy day? It is because/This is because/Because the wind evaporates the sweat from our bodies.

Explanation:
All answers without of are correct, but in formal writing you should not start a sentence with 'Because', although this is normal in speech. The answers with of are wrong because the wind evaporates the sweat from our bodies is a clause.
If a dog jumps into your lap, __________ he is fond of you.

Answer:

If a dog jumps into your lap, it is because he is fond of you.

Explanation:
In if sentences, use it is because. Do not use of if the reason is a clause.
If a cat jumps into your lap, __________ your lap is warm.

Answer:

If a cat jumps into your lap, it is because your lap is warm.

Explanation:
In if sentences, use it is because. Do not use of if the reason is a clause.
So why do people say English standards are going down? __________ the students’ workload is so heavy that they do not have time to spend on language studies.

So why do people say English standards are going down? It may be because/This may be because the students’ workload is so heavy that they do not have time to spend on language studies.

Explanation:
To answer questions you can use both It may be because and This may be because. It may be because of is wrong because of should be followed by a noun or noun phrase, but students’ workload is so heavy is a clause.
He won a place on the Dean’s list. __________ his GPA average was very high.

Answer:

He won a place on the Dean’s list. This was because his GPA average was very high.

Explanation:
To give an effect first, then explain the cause, use this is because. See the rule above. You can change the tense of the verb be, for example to This was because.
I work 20 hours a week in my part-time job to support my family, and __________ that my GPA average is low.

Answer:

I work 20 hours a week in my part-time job to support my family, and it is because of this that my GPA average is low.

Explanation:
To refer back to a cause, then give an effect, use it is because of this. See the rule above.
When I do choose to do a review personally, __________ I absolutely love something.

Answer:

When I do choose to do a review personally, it is because I absolutely love something.

Explanation:
In 2-clause when sentences that give reasons, use it is because. Do not use of if the following words form a clause.

Your total score is:

Related materials:

Because or Due to the fact that - an explanation and an exercise.
Cause and Effect - this exercise introduces the vocabulary and grammar needed to describe causes and effects. Includes an exercise.

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