A. because, since, as, for, due to the fact that, because of the fact that + subject and a verb
- Since/As it was raining, we didn’t go out.
- It’s no good thinking about going abroad, for we have no money.
Note 1:
As and since can begin the sentence and they are relatively formal. For cannot begin the sentence, and we use it in a very formal and often literary context.
As can also mean when.
- I burnt myself as I was taking the cake out of the oven.
Since has a different meaning as well.
- He hasn’t turned up since I lent him some money.
B. because of, due to, owing to, thanks to, on account of, on the grounds of + a noun
- Because of the rain, we didn’t go out.
- Thanks to the interesting plot, the film was exciting.
- Thanks to his help, I was able to finish the report.
Thanks to can be tricky. There are three ways to use it correctly:
1. To express gratitude, as in “Thanks to you, I was able to complete the application”.
2. To express blame or irony, as in “Thanks to you, I missed the train”.
3. To express causality in a neutral way, as in ‘However, the roads are overcrowded, thanks to more people having money to buy cars.