due to
due to: because of; caused by. It links a result to the cause behind it: cause -> result.
- Due to is usually followed by a noun phrase that names the cause: due to rain / due to a delay.
- It is close to because of, but due to often sounds more formal or more written, especially in notices and reports.
- If you need a full clause, use because: because it rained, not due to it rained.
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Examples
Abstract examples
The change is due to safety concerns.
Production slowed down due to a parts shortage.
The delay was due to bad weather, not poor planning.
Related prepositions
Key differences
Due to links a result to its cause: cause -> result. The most useful contrasts are because of (similar meaning but different tone), because (full clause), and according to (source, not cause).
Because of and due to both introduce a cause. Because of is more conversational and general; due to often sounds more formal or written.
Because is followed by a full clause. Due to is usually followed by a noun phrase. Do not say due to it rained; say because it rained or due to rain.
According to introduces a source, rule, or basis. Due to introduces a cause. Do not use according to when you mean the reason something happened.
Quick check questions (decision tree)
Is the next phrase a noun phrase that names the cause of a result?
Yes -> use due to. It means because of / caused by.
Is the next part a full clause, such as it rained or the system failed?
Yes -> use because; due to is usually followed by a noun phrase.
Do you want a more conversational, general reason phrase?
Yes -> because of also works; due to often sounds a little more formal or written.
Is the next phrase a source, rule, report, data set, or someone's statement?
Yes -> use according to, not due to.
Do you mean scheduled or expected, as in due date or be due to do?
Yes -> that is another use of due, not this page's due to + noun phrase cause pattern.
Common collocations
Weather and conditions
Business and logistics
Useful sentence frames
Common mistakes
Avoid: The match was canceled due to it rained.
Use: The match was canceled because it rained. / ... due to heavy rain.
Reason: Due to is followed by a noun phrase, not a full clause.
Avoid: According to traffic, he was late.
Use: He was late due to traffic.
Reason: Traffic is the cause, not a source of information, so due to is the better choice.
Avoid: The report due to lower sales.
Use: The loss was due to lower sales.
Reason: Due to needs a complete structure around it. It cannot stand alone as the whole predicate here.
Mini quiz
Question 1
The flight was delayed ___ fog.
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Question 2
___ the memo, the office will close early.
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Question 3
The road was closed because it ___ .
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Quick FAQ
What is the core meaning of due to?+
It introduces the reason, cause, or condition behind something.
Is due to the same as because of?+
They are very close. Due to often sounds a little more formal or written.
What should come after due to?+
Usually a noun phrase: due to rain, due to a delay, due to traffic, due to policy changes.
Can due to be used in everyday English?+
Yes, especially in notices, reports, workplace English, and careful speech.
What is the difference between due to and according to?+
Due to gives the cause. According to gives the source or rule.