If you want to show a direct cause-and-effect relationship in your essay, ‘because of this’ is a clear and effective linking phrase. It tells your reader that the next idea is a direct result of the previous one. For example: “The experiment was conducted at a higher temperature. Because of this, the chemical reaction occurred twice as fast.” This phrase works best when you need to explain why something happened, and it keeps your writing logical and easy to follow.
Quick Answer: When to Use ‘because of this’
Use ‘because of this’ to connect a reason to its result. It is a formal-to-neutral transition that is common in academic essays, reports, and professional emails. Avoid using it in very casual conversation, where simpler phrases like ‘so’ or ‘that’s why’ are more natural.
- Purpose: Show cause and effect.
- Tone: Formal to neutral.
- Best for: Essays, reports, formal emails, and structured arguments.
- Not ideal for: Casual text messages or everyday spoken English.
Understanding the Meaning and Nuance
The phrase ‘because of this’ points backward to a specific reason you just mentioned. It is slightly more formal than ‘so’ but less formal than ‘consequently’ or ‘as a result’. The nuance is important: it emphasizes that the cause is the main reason for the effect, not just one of many factors.
For example, compare these sentences:
- “The team missed the deadline. Because of this, the client cancelled the contract.” (Strong, direct cause)
- “The team missed the deadline. As a result, the client cancelled the contract.” (Slightly more formal, same meaning)
- “The team missed the deadline. So, the client cancelled the contract.” (Less formal, more conversational)
In an essay, ‘because of this’ strikes a good balance. It is clear and professional without sounding overly stiff.
Comparison Table: ‘because of this’ vs. Similar Phrases
| Phrase | Tone | Best Use | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Because of this | Formal to neutral | Essays, reports, formal emails | “The data was incomplete. Because of this, we repeated the survey.” |
| As a result | Formal | Academic writing, professional reports | “The data was incomplete. As a result, we repeated the survey.” |
| Consequently | Very formal | Highly academic or legal writing | “The data was incomplete. Consequently, we repeated the survey.” |
| Therefore | Formal | Logical conclusions in arguments | “The data was incomplete. Therefore, we repeated the survey.” |
| So | Informal | Conversation, casual writing | “The data was incomplete. So, we repeated the survey.” |
| That’s why | Informal | Spoken English, friendly emails | “The data was incomplete. That’s why we repeated the survey.” |
Natural Examples in Context
In an Academic Essay
“The industrial revolution led to mass urbanization. Because of this, cities grew rapidly without adequate infrastructure, leading to overcrowding and poor sanitation.”
In a Formal Email
“Dear Ms. Chen, We have received your feedback regarding the delivery delay. Because of this, we have updated our shipping procedures to prevent future issues. We apologize for the inconvenience.”
In a Business Report
“Sales in the third quarter dropped by 15%. Because of this, the marketing team has proposed a new advertising campaign targeting younger demographics.”
In a Personal Statement
“My volunteer work in a rural clinic exposed me to the challenges of limited healthcare access. Because of this, I am determined to pursue a career in public health.”
Common Mistakes When Using ‘because of this’
Mistake 1: Using it without a clear cause
Incorrect: “The economy is changing. Because of this, many things are different.”
Why it’s wrong: The cause is too vague. The reader does not know what specific change caused the effect.
Correct: “The economy is shifting toward remote work. Because of this, companies are investing more in digital collaboration tools.”
Mistake 2: Overusing it in one paragraph
Incorrect: “The company lost a major client. Because of this, revenue fell. Because of this, they had to cut costs. Because of this, several employees were laid off.”
Why it’s wrong: Repetition makes the writing sound mechanical. Use synonyms like ‘as a result’, ‘consequently’, or ‘therefore’ to vary your language.
Correct: “The company lost a major client. Because of this, revenue fell. As a result, they had to cut costs. Consequently, several employees were laid off.”
Mistake 3: Using it in casual conversation
Incorrect (spoken): “I missed the bus. Because of this, I was late for class.”
Why it’s awkward: In everyday speech, ‘so’ or ‘that’s why’ sounds more natural.
Correct (spoken): “I missed the bus, so I was late for class.”
Mistake 4: Confusing it with ‘because’
Incorrect: “Because of this the experiment failed, we need to check the equipment.”
Why it’s wrong: ‘Because of this’ introduces a result, not a reason. Use ‘because’ to introduce the reason.
Correct: “Because the experiment failed, we need to check the equipment.” OR “The experiment failed. Because of this, we need to check the equipment.”
Better Alternatives to ‘because of this’
Depending on your context, you might choose a different phrase for variety or tone:
- For formal essays: ‘Consequently’, ‘As a result’, ‘Therefore’
- For neutral writing: ‘Because of this’, ‘For this reason’, ‘Due to this’
- For informal writing: ‘So’, ‘That’s why’, ‘This is why’
Example swap:
“The policy was poorly communicated. Because of this, many employees were confused.”
Can become:
“The policy was poorly communicated. Consequently, many employees were confused.” (more formal)
Or:
“The policy was poorly communicated. So, many employees were confused.” (less formal)
When to Use ‘because of this’ in Your Essay
Use this phrase when you want to:
- Explain a clear cause-and-effect relationship.
- Connect two sentences where the second is a direct result of the first.
- Maintain a formal or neutral tone.
- Avoid repeating ‘so’ or ‘therefore’ too often.
Avoid it when:
- The cause is not clearly stated in the previous sentence.
- You are writing a very informal piece, like a personal blog or a text message.
- You have already used it in the same paragraph (use a synonym instead).
Mini Practice: Test Your Understanding
Complete each sentence with the correct phrase: ‘because of this’, ‘so’, ‘consequently’, or ‘as a result’. Answers are below.
- The software had a critical bug. __________, the company delayed the product launch.
- I forgot my umbrella, __________ I got wet in the rain.
- The study found a strong correlation between sleep and memory. __________, the researchers recommended at least eight hours of sleep per night.
- The factory reduced its carbon emissions by 40%. __________, it received an environmental award.
Answers:
- Because of this / As a result / Consequently (all correct)
- so
- Because of this / As a result / Consequently
- Because of this / As a result / Consequently
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I start a sentence with ‘because of this’?
Yes, it is perfectly correct to start a sentence with ‘because of this’. In fact, it is often used at the beginning of a sentence to clearly show the result. Example: “The funding was cut. Because of this, the project had to be scaled down.”
2. Is ‘because of this’ formal or informal?
It is neutral to formal. It is appropriate for most academic and professional writing. However, it is less formal than ‘consequently’ and more formal than ‘so’.
3. What is the difference between ‘because of this’ and ‘due to this’?
They are very similar and often interchangeable. However, ‘due to this’ can sometimes sound slightly more formal or technical. In most essay contexts, you can use either. Example: “The error was detected early. Due to this, no data was lost.”
4. Can I use ‘because of this’ in the middle of a sentence?
Yes, but it is less common. You might see it in the middle of a sentence when listing multiple causes. Example: “The team worked overtime, and because of this, they finished the project ahead of schedule.” However, using it at the start of a new sentence is usually clearer.
Final Tip for Essay Writing
When you use ‘because of this’, always make sure the cause is specific and clearly stated in the previous sentence. Your reader should immediately understand what ‘this’ refers to. If the connection is weak, replace ‘this’ with a more specific noun. For example, instead of “The experiment was flawed. Because of this, the results were invalid,” you could write “The experiment was flawed. Because of this design error, the results were invalid.” This small change adds clarity and precision to your writing.
For more help with connecting your ideas, explore our guides on Essay Starters and Linking Words by Purpose. If you have questions about this or other transition words, visit our FAQ page or contact us.
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