what word to use instead of because in an essay

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30+ Alternatives for “Because”: A Word List for Writers

Because Overuse: A Challenge to Overcome

Readers may raise their eyebrows if they encounter multiple repetitions of because within a short passage . Although finding replacements for a building block of the English language is tricky, it’s not impossible.

This post contains more than thirty alternatives for because.

Does This News Item Irritate You?

Because of the prevailing political climate, those in office avoid encounters with the press. They say it’s because of busy schedules, but their constituents say it’s because the politicians don’t want to stand up for “what’s right.”

Can we rewrite to exclude because ?

With the prevailing political climate, those in office avoid the press. They blame busy schedules, but their constituents disagree, accusing the politicians of not standing up for “what’s right.”

The succinct version relays the same message in a more engaging manner.

Let’s Review a Statement Made by an Ecological Group

Because of GMOs (genetically modified organisms), humans may one day find themselves facing extinction. We need to act now, because waiting is not an option, because procrastination puts us and future generations at risk, because soon every crop and every animal species used for food will have been genetically modified. Do you want to tell your children and your grandchildren that you didn’t act because you were afraid of the GMO bullies?

Can we lower the word count and strengthen the message like we did in the previous example?

GMOs (genetically modified organisms) may one day cause the extinction of humans. Soon, every crop and animal species used for food will have been genetically modified. Prompt action is crucial; procrastination endangers us and future generations. Do you want to tell your children and grandchildren that your fear of the GMO bullies resulted in apathy rather than action?

Fewer words. More direct message. Engaged readers.

However, some writers might prefer the repetitions in the sentence that begins with We need to act now . Like the lyrics of “We’re Off to See the Wizard,” which repeats because multiple times as an intentional literary device, the sentence could function as it stands.

Wilbur Faces a Smelly Dilemma

Because Wilbur’s cologne had offended the noses of all partygoers in the banquet hall, he slipped into the men’s bathroom for a quick wash. Truth be told, he looked forward to removing the cologne from his pits, because it burned. He stripped to the waist. Unfortunately, his efforts were thwarted somewhat, because he couldn’t find any soap. Because of that, he splashed generous quantities of plain water over his upper body.

When he returned to the banquet hall a few minutes later, he couldn’t figure out why everyone was gawking at him. Until he looked down and realized it was because his crotch was dripping wet.

Poor Wilbur. Can we tighten the narrative?

Wilbur’s cologne had offended the noses of all partygoers in the banquet hall. No problem. He slipped into the men’s bathroom for a quick wash, looking forward to removing the burning cologne from his pits. After stripping to the waist, he couldn’t find any soap. Oh well, plain water is almost as good.

When he returned to the banquet hall a few minutes later, he couldn’t figure out why everyone was gawking at him. Until he glanced down and realized his crotch was soaked.

Which version do you prefer? Note the addition of two internal-dialogue snippets.

Perhaps a Colon, Semicolon, Em Dash, or Period Would Solve the Problem

She had no reason to be disappointed , because he showed up on time.

She had no reason to be disappointed: He showed up on time.

She walked to work because her car was out of gas.

She walked to work; her car was out of gas.

I need to go to the meeting because my boss isn’t available.

I need to go to the meeting — my boss isn’t available.

He was confused because the test didn’t make any sense.

He was confused . The test didn’t make any sense.

Direct Replacements for Because

My preference for replacing because, or short phrases including it, is to reword. However, the following suggestions will help if you don’t have the time or desire for more extensive edits. Beware: Some alternatives will contribute to word bloat . Others might be best suited for dialogue, awkward narrators, or period fiction.

as Because As the woman had no friends, she walked alone.

as a consequence Obesity has soared in many countries because as a consequence of poor diet and lack of exercise.

as a result Because As a result of his impudence, the teacher gave him a detention.

as long as Because As long as she studied, she received excellent marks.

as things go Because As things go , if he thinks he can win, he will.

being that (not my favorite phrase, folks) Because Being that he arrived late, he missed the appetizer tray.

by reason He was found not guilty because by reason of insanity.

by virtue He received a medal because by virtue of his bravery.

consequently She works out every day. Because of that Consequently , she is well-toned and healthy.

considering Because of Considering the extenuating circumstances, I will forgive his absence.

due to Because of Due to a tornado warning, everyone evacuated the fairgrounds.

for He loved her because of for her enthusiasm and loyalty.

for the reason that (another phrase I dislike) The process is tedious, because for the reason that every step must be verified by three people.

for the sake The government must reduce its spending because for the sake of the economy.

forasmuch as The stable boy readied the horse and carriage because forasmuch as the mistress desired to drive into town. (Archaic; useful for historical novels. Forasmuch as also appears in some legal documents.)

given that Because Given that herbicides were banned, the landscaper had to search for other means of weed control.

in light Because In light of her excellent references, we decided to hire her.

in that His essay was believable, because in that he supported his arguments with comprehensive data.

inasmuch as Because Inasmuch as the patient had contracted a contagious infection, visitors were required to wear gowns and masks.

in view Because In view of the overwhelming evidence that pollution causes so many deaths, the government passed a new Clean Air Act.

in view of the fact that Because In view of the fact that nobody RSVPed to the invitations, the organizers cancelled the concert.

knowing as how (yet another iffy phrase) He decided to pack his bags and leave, because knowing as how she didn’t want him around anymore.

now that We can begin the staff meeting because now that the boss has arrived.

on account He can’t run the marathon because on account of his sprained ankle.

on the grounds that We are rejecting your story because on the grounds that it doesn’t fit the theme of our publication.

out She trembled because out of fear .

owing to Because of Owing to her poor interpersonal skills, she was demoted.

owing to the fact that Because Owing to the fact that a violent storm swept over the stadium, the game was cancelled.

seeing Because of Seeing her anger, he decided to keep his mouth shut.

seeing that Because Seeing that the woodpecker had hammered on the window every morning for a week, she set up a motion-sensitive alarm to scare it away.

since Because Since the warp drive was damaged, they stopped for repairs.

so (often requires rewording) Because my tooth ached, I booked a dental appointment. My tooth ached, so I booked a dental appointment.

thanks to Because of Thanks to his diligence, the project was completed ahead of schedule.

therefore I think; because of that therefore I am.

through Because of Through union bargaining, the employees received a 5 percent raise.

Exercises to Test Your Because -Cognition

Remove most instances of because by substitution or rewording.

Millie knew she’d never pass the biology test, because she hadn’t studied enough. But the lack of studying wasn’t because of anything she had done. It was because she was exhausted. Every night for two weeks, her sleep had been disturbed because Mr. Clarke’s dogs barked. And barked. And barked. It isn’t fair. Why should I fail just because the idiot mutts next door can’t keep their yaps shut?

Suggested solution

Millie knew she’d never pass the biology test — she hadn’t studied enough. But the lack of studying wasn’t her fault: She was exhausted. Every night for two weeks, Mr. Clarke’s dogs had barked. And barked. And barked. It isn’t fair. Why should I fail just because the idiot mutts next door can’t keep their yaps shut?

Notes: Adjustments in punctuation eliminate two instances of because . The colon in the edited version could have been changed into a semicolon, with She becoming she — or two sentences could have been created by replacing the colon with a period. Rewording removes all other repetitions, except for one in Millie’s internal monologue. Leaving it in makes her thoughts seem more natural.

Because of antibiotic abuse, many bacteria have become resistant to even the most powerful drugs. Because of this, pharmaceutical companies have been asked to produce new drugs. However, because of many factors, including insufficient financial incentives for research and development, the number of new drugs entering the market is inadequate.

Antibiotic abuse has facilitated significant bacteria resistance to even the most powerful drugs. Health professionals and governments have asked pharmaceutical companies to produce new drugs. However, many factors, including insufficient financial incentives for research and development, have resulted in an inadequate number of new drugs entering the market.

Notes: Edits are straightforward, replacing instances of because rather than rewording sentences . Note the reduction in passive voice.

Len bought the biggest, most expensive TV he could find: one with all the bells and whistles. Because he could afford it. Because he deserved it. But as he was setting it up, he discovered that he couldn’t read the instructions because they were written in what looked like Cantonese.

Undaunted by this hiccup, he called the local Chinese restaurant. Unfortunately, he had a problem communicating with the person who answered the phone, because she spoke in broken English with a heavy Cantonese accent. Because he couldn’t make her understand what he wanted, he decided to drive to the restaurant, instructions in hand. When he showed her the instructions and explained via a combination of sign language and English, she laughed at him.

“You no understand,” she said.

“Exactly. I can’t understand the words because they’re Cantonese.”

“No, no, no, you no understand words because they Japanese and you hold page upside down.”

Len bought the biggest, most expensive TV he could find: one with all the bells and whistles. He could afford it. He deserved it. But as he was setting it up, he discovered he couldn’t read the instructions, which were written in what looked like Cantonese.

Undaunted by this hiccup, he called the local Chinese restaurant. Unfortunately, the woman who answered the phone spoke in broken English with a heavy Cantonese accent. She had no idea what he wanted.

So Len drove to the restaurant , instructions in hand . When he showed her the instructions and explained via a combination of sign language and English, she laughed at him.

“You no understand,” she said .

Notes: Extraneous instances of because in the exercise are gone. No need to have Len decide to drive to the restaurant. In the solution he drives there, period, without the instructions in hand ; steering would be difficult if he’s clutching something while trying to navigate. Once again, dialogue remains the same.

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4 thoughts on “ 30+ Alternatives for “Because”: A Word List for Writers ”

Hi Kathy, great piece as usual. However, I disagree with the GMO example. That paragraph intentionally uses the repetition of ‘because’ as a tool to drum home the point. I wouldn’t necessarily want to change this, especially if it’s for spoken delivery.

Happy blogging, Sandi (or Nyamazela if you’re following my blog).

Thanks for stopping by, Sandi.

The rule of threes works well for many pieces, and as long as readers are happy with what they see, the writer can be too.

Thanks for that. I have you book, The Writers’ Lexicon and it’s most useful.

Thanks, Vivienne! If all goes well, I’ll have a second volume of Lexicon ready for release early in 2018.

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Word Choice: Alternatives to ‘Said’ and ‘Because’

3-minute read

• 29th November 2015

Our research shows that ‘said’ and ‘because’ are two of the most overused words in academic writing . This is understandable, as both are useful for explaining research and the results of studies.

However, excessive repetition of common words can detract from the flow of your written work, so it helps to know a few alternatives.

Alternatives to ‘Said’

The word ‘said’ is mostly used when reporting speech. This includes quoting research (e.g. in you literature review) or reporting what participants have said in an interview or survey. For example:

One respondent said that the process was ‘too complicated’.

There are lots of alternatives to ‘said’, all of which attribute the thought being reported to the person named. These include ‘claimed’, ‘suggested’ and ‘remarked’:

One respondent claimed that the process was ‘too complicated’.

One respondent suggested that the process was ‘too complicated’.

One respondent remarked that the process was ‘too complicated’.

There are also words you can use in place of ‘said’ when the person you’re quoting is doing something specific, such as arguing or clarifying a point:

Jones (1994, p.16) argues that ‘previous policies are now outdated’.

The CEO clarified that ‘company policy has changed since the incident’.

With these, make sure the word you use fits the context: it would not make sense, for instance, to say that ‘the CEO argued that company policy has changed’ as this is a factual claim (i.e. either policy has changed or it hasn’t), not an argument.

Alternatives to ‘Because’

The word ‘because’ means ‘due to the fact that’. As such, it’s handy for explaining your reasoning and commonly used when describing the consequences of something.

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There are two main ways to use ‘because’. One is as a conjunction, where ‘because’ is followed by a subject and a verb:

A qualitative approach was chosen because it enables collection of in-depth data.

In these cases, alternatives include ‘since’ and ‘as’, both of which are also conjunctions:

A qualitative approach was chosen since it enables collection of in-depth data.

A qualitative approach was chosen as it enables collection of in-depth data.

The phrase ‘because of’, meanwhile, is a preposition, so needs to be followed by a noun phrase or an ‘-ing’ verb:

The results are unreliable because of the limited sample size.

The business failed because of falling prices.

In this case, your alternatives include phrases like ‘due to’ and ‘as a result of’:

The results are unreliable due to the limited sample size.

The business failed as a result of falling prices.

Remember to check whether you’re using ‘because’ or ‘because of’ before selecting an alternative word.

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Because, Because, Because (How to Prevent Repetition)

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• 24th September 2016

When Dorothy, the Tin Man, the Scarecrow and the Cowardly Lion head off to see the Wizard of Oz , they do so ‘because, because, because, because, because, because, because of the wonderful things he does.’

This is undeniably a catchy tune to hum while walking a yellow brick road. From a proofreading perspective , however, it’s hard to get past the unnecessary repetition of ‘because’.

If Dorothy had used ‘because’ that often in an essay, we’d definitely suggest she make a few changes, as repetition can make your work seem monotonous. And since ‘because’ is a common term in academic writing , we recommend learning a few alternatives.

Synonyms for ‘Because’

There are plenty of words and phrases you can use in place of ‘because’ when introducing an explanation or justification in an essay. To demonstrate, we’ll work with this example sentence:

I went to see The Wizard of Oz because I love musical theatre.

Single words that can replace ‘because’ here include ‘as’, ‘since’ and ‘for’ (note that some terms require adding a comma to avoid ambiguity):

I went to see The Wizard of Oz , as I love musical theatre.

I went to see The Wizard of Oz since I love musical theatre.

I went to see The Wizard of Oz , for I love musical theatre.

However, ‘as’ and ‘since’ are both sometimes considered informal, while ‘for’ is quite old-fashioned. Thus, in academic writing, you may want to use a phrase instead:

I went to see The Wizard of Oz due to my love of musical theatre.

I went to see The Wizard of Oz as a result of my love for musical theatre.

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I went to see The Wizard of Oz on account of my love for musical theatre.

I went to see The Wizard of Oz in view of my love of musical theatre.

Many of these are actually replacements for the phrase ‘because of’ rather than just ‘because’, which is why the sentence is slightly changed in some cases.

Rearranging Sentences

Alternatively, you could get around overusing ‘because’ by rearranging sentences. For instance, we could say:

The Wizard of Oz was cancelled because the theatre burned down.

However, we could restructure the sentence to remove the ‘because’:

The theatre burned down, so The Wizard of Oz was cancelled.

Here, the conjunction ‘so’ is used to indicate that the second clause (‘ The Wizard of Oz was cancelled’) results from the first clause (‘the theatre burned down’). It thereby explains the situation without using ‘because’. Other possibilities include:

The theatre burned down; thus, The Wizard of Oz was cancelled.

The theatre burned down, which meant that The Wizard of Oz was cancelled.

There are, in fact, dozens of ways you could express the same idea without using ‘because’. The crucial thing is maintaining the sense of explaining or justifying something. Keep this in mind and it should be easy to avoid overusing words like ‘because’!

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12 Ways To Replace The Word ‘BECAUSE’

Many words or phrases can be used to set up an explanation. The most common and really REALLY overused one is “because”. Please encourage your child to stop using that word in his school compositions if he wants to score a little bit higher.

Here are 12 alternatives to replace “because” and their merits.

“As” is a direct synonym for “because” (for example, “He decided not to go see the movie, as he found out his nemesis was going as well”), but it’s not exactly much better.

2. AS A RESULT OF

This phrase is a substitute for “because of”, not because, as in “As a result of his insatiable appetite, all the dishes on the table were wiped clean within seconds.”

3. AS LONG AS

This informal equivalent of “because” is used to express the thought that given that one thing is occurring or will occur or is true, another is possible, in such statements as “As long as you’re going to the supermarket, could you help me buy 5 watermelons?”

4. BEING AS (OR BEING AS HOW OR BEING THAT)

This phrase has the same sense — and the same formality — as “as long as”.

5. CONSIDERING THAT

This phrase is essentially identical in meaning to “as long as” and “being as” and its variants.

This substitute for “because” is reserved for poetic usage, as in “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.”

7. NOW THAT

This phrase informally connotes cause and effect, as in “Now that Mrs Tan here, we can submit our homework.”

This phrase applies to explanations of emotion or feeling — for example, “She asked out of compassion” or “Out of spite, I refrained from passing the message along.”

9. SEEING THAT

This phrase is identical to “considering that.”

“Since” primarily refers to elapsed time, as in “Since it had rained, we didn’t need to water the garden.”

11. THANKS TO

This equivalent of “because of,” despite the wording, can apply to either a positive or a negative outcome; “Thanks to your involvment, the teacher is now watching our every move” demonstrates the latter sense.

12. THROUGH

Through is a preposition; it takes the place of “because of,” as in “Through the efforts of the teachers, all the students did well in the final year exams.”

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Synonyms of because

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conjunction

Thesaurus definition of because.

Synonyms & Similar Words

• considering
• inasmuch as

Phrases Containing because

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“Because.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/because. Accessed 28 May. 2024.

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Improve Your Writing With these Words to Use Instead of Because

One of the biggest issues, when you are writing an essay or an article, is using the word because too many times. This word connects two sentences and is called a conjunction. It helps present arguments, reasons and shows the relationship between two sentences. Of course, there are other words for because that have the same effect but can improve the stylistic outcome of your writing.

Why Choose Other Words for Because

Finding the right words to use instead of because can help you refine your language. It also prevents repetition in your vocabulary. When it comes to college papers and assignments, especially, good writing helps you earn better grades.

Sometimes, replacing the word because or eliminating it entirely can even help you manage the word count of your writing. This is crucial when you have to write shorter essays and make an impact with the content. You can use fewer words, be more direct with your messaging and keep the readers engaged.

Words to Use Instead of Because

The simplest way to prevent reusing the word is to use a direct replacement word for because. Here is a list of other words to use instead of because:

• As: She walked alone because as she had no friends.
• Being that: Because Being that he was late, he missed the beginning of the movie.
• Since: He became slimmer because since he started cycling regularly.
• Given that: Life expectancy has increased because given that medical care is better today.
• Now that: We started the show because now that the band had arrived.
• On the grounds that: Your story was rejected because on the grounds that it wasn’t suited to our theme.
• For: He did not perform well because for he did not study well.
• Since that: These flowers are expensive because since that they are rare.
• Considering that: Because Considering that he wakes up late, he will not make it at 6AM.

Words Like Because

There are some words instead of because that can be used when you are writing. However, these words cannot replace the word exactly. These words allow you to imply the same meaning of the sentence without using the word because. Although the following are more words for because, you may have to reframe the sentence for it to retain its meaning:

With because: I passed the test because I studied. With so: I studied. So I passed the test.

With because: We left early because it was a long drive. With so: It was a long drive. Hence, we left early.

With because: Because she is tall, she can reach the higher shelves. With therefore: She is tall, therefore she can reach the higher shelves.

When to Use Because And its Synonyms

The word because is used to point out the reason for an action. It is also used to connect sentences, hence serving as a conjunction. However, the various appearances or synonyms of because can’t be used just anyhow. Due to its various uses, Some are acceptable in an informal way while others are acceptable only in formal settings. In view of the facts stated before, check the following example

For example,

Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow will die

The use of for in this statement cannot be easily substituted for other forms of because.

If words like hence and as a result of were used, it changes the meaning as well as the grammatical accuracy of the statement.

Let us eat and drink, hence we die tomorrow Let us eat and drink, therefore we die tomorrow

Due to the number of examples stated before, it should be noted that the various use of because and its synonyms must be carefully used.

Other Words For Because Of

Because of also signifies a consequence like the word because. However, it is a two-word proposition. The difference between ‘because’ and ‘because of’ is that the former is followed by a subject and a verb while the latter is followed by a noun or noun phrase.

For example:

He had to run faster because he was being chased by the dog. He had to run because of the dog chasing him.

Here are some of the most common phrases or other words than because of that can be used to replace it directly in a sentence:

• On account of
• As a consequence of
• As a result of
• Considering
• For the sake of

The Best Because Transition Words

Because and because of are known as transition words because they are able to connect two sentences. Transition words are used to make content more readable. Using because transition words help prevent overusing the word.

When choosing transition words that mean because, you need to remember that they must signify a consequence or a reason. You can connect two sentences effectively by using the following that mean because in other words:

• Forasmuch as
• Consequently
• Under these circumstances
• As a result
• For that reason
• For this reason

All the words to use besides because that are mentioned in the previous can also be considered transition replacement words for because. However, you need to make sure that the sentences are structured and used in the right format so that the replacement words are able to convey the same meaning.

Can You Start a Sentence With Because?

A formal sentence does not permit the use of because at the beginning of a sentence, owing to so many reasons. Inasmuch as it is in informal writings only, with the right use of prepositions, it is very acceptable.

However, owing to some reasons like the context of the word and the various synonyms of because. The word because and its synonyms can fit some forms of formal writing at the beginning.

In the use of because or it’s equivalent, Either a positive or negative outcome of using it at the beginning of formal writing lies in how the reader or the examiner views the writing.

Choosing Words To Replace Because

When you are choosing words that replace because you need to make sure that they are chosen correctly.  The goal should not be to merely pick words that mean because since you wish to avoid repetition. You need to take care of two more details:

• Avoid redundancy: Sometimes, you cannot just find words that replace because. You may have to use phrases. They tend to cause redundancy and unwanted use of extra words that can make reading less pleasurable.
• Increase readability: This is one of the primary goals of choosing other words instead of because. It helps you break down the sentences to make them easier to read. Because connects sentences but can also make them very complex.

Whenever you choose words for your writing, you need to think of making the text targeted effectively. Second, the content should be optimized for better reach and interest among readers.

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conjunction as in on account of

Weak matches

• as a result of
• as things go
• by cause of
• by reason of
• by virtue of
• considering
• for the reason that
• for the sake of
• in as much as
• in behalf of
• in the interest of
• on the grounds that

preposition as in on account of

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Example sentences.

Because he's joined the colors—he's not dead!Because he's found his duty—he's not lost!

I will drive you over-because it is rather a lonesome walk for you.

He was silent; and presently she said: "I—the reason of it—my crying—is b-b-because I don't wish you to be unhappy."

Can you picture a room where the portires are all of different lengths?because the decorator had no sense of line value?

At length she stammered: "I did not come b-because I simply couldn't stand it!"

Related Words

Words related to because are not direct synonyms, but are associated with the word because . Browse related words to learn more about word associations.

conjunction as in because

• inasmuch as
• seeing that

adjective as in taking everything in mind

• all things considered
• everything being equal
• forasmuch as
• in consideration of
• in light of
• insomuch as
• taking into account

conjunction as in in consequence of the fact that

conjunction as in in view of the fact that

• making allowance for

adverb as in to such an extent

Viewing 5 / 11 related words

When To Use

What are other ways to say  because .

The conjunction because introduces a direct reason for an occurrence or action: I was sleeping because I was tired. As and since are so casual as to imply merely circumstances attendant on the main statement: As (or since ) I was tired, I was sleeping. The reason, proof, or justification introduced by for is like an afterthought or a parenthetical statement: I was famished, for I had not eaten all day. The more formal inasmuch as implies concession; the main statement is true in view of the circumstances introduced by this conjunction: Inasmuch as I was tired, it seemed best to sleep.

On this page you'll find 61 synonyms, antonyms, and words related to because, such as: as, as a result of, as long as, as things go, being, and by cause of.

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.

10 Other Ways to Say “This Is Because”

So, you keep using “this is because” in your essay and want a better alternative. After all, you don’t want to sound repetitive in academic writing because you want your work to get you the best grades.

Luckily, this article is here to help. We’ve gathered the best synonyms showing you what to say instead of “this is because.”

Other Ways to Say “This Is Because”

• The reason is
• Simply because
• This is due to
• Due, in part, to
• With thanks to
• As a result of

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• “This is because” is suitable in essays, but it’s far too common and overused.
• “The reason is” gives you another way to write it and mix things up formally.
• You could say “after all” in informal essays to keep things interesting.

Read on to learn more about these synonyms. We’ve explained how the best variations work and all you need to know before writing them yourself.

We’ve also touched on whether “this is because” is correct. You can skip to the final section if you’d like to learn more about it.

The Reason Is (Formal)

“The reason is” is a great formal alternative to “this is because.” You should use it in an essay to explain the reason behind a choice from the previous sentence.

You will always start a sentence with “the reason is.” It needs to follow straight from the previous sentence for it to make sense.

Generally, you’ll write “the reason is” when trying to explain your methods in academic writing . It helps the reader to follow along with your ideas and understand your thought process behind something.

You can use “the reason is” instead of “this is because” in most written contexts. It’s not as overused, making it slightly more effective. However, we do recommend switching between them to keep your writing as interesting as possible.

Check out these essay sentence examples to show you how it works:

We did not account for all of the variables. The reason is that we thought the results would be too skewed.

I made sure to check for errors. The reason is that so many other experiments went wrong before they even began.

After All (Informal)

“After all” is a great informal alternative to “this is because.” You can use it conversationally or when you do not need a formal writing tone in an essay .

Generally, you should only use “after all” once or twice in your writing. The more you use it, the less impact it has. It’s a great way to explain a choice from the previous sentence, but you should only do it a handful of times.

“After all” is also an introductory clause . Therefore, you must place a comma after the phrase whenever it starts a sentence.

We don’t recommend using “after all” in formal essays or academic writing, though. “This is because” is still more effective in formal situations. “After all” should only apply to informal ones.

These examples will help you understand more about it:

I tried to find the most effective way to complete the task. After all, that would give me the best results for the situation.

There were a few errors along the way. After all, it’s not a foolproof system. I left a lot up to chance.

Is It Correct to Say “This is Because”?

“This is because” is correct and acceptable . However, you should avoid using it too much. It is overused , which can be problematic when you want to explain yourself in formal writing.

Generally, people reading your essay will find a phrase like “this is because” boring . It doesn’t add anything special to your academic writing. You should avoid using it more than once (or avoid it entirely since there are so many good alternatives).

You need to punctuate it correctly, though. For example:

• Correct: I did it like this. This is because I wanted to.
• Incorrect: I didn’t listen. This is because, there was no reason to.

Writers do get confused with the comma placement of “this is because.” It is not an introductory clause . Therefore, it does not need a comma after it. You should avoid placing one.

Feel free to bookmark this page to remind yourself of the best synonyms for “this is because.” Then, you’ll always have something useful to replace it with in formal writing.

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Words to Use Instead of BECAUSE: Helpful List of 23 Synonyms for Because with Examples

Because Synonym! What is another word for because? Helpful list of 20+ synonyms for because with ESL pictures and useful example sentences. Learn these because synonyms to enhance your vocabulary words and better your English writing skill.

Because Synonym

List of synonyms for because.

Learn useful list of synonyms for because in English.

• As a consequence of
• As a result of
• By reason of
• By virtue of
• Due to the fact that
• For the reason that
• In view of the fact that
• Inasmuch as
• Insomuch as
• On account of
• On grounds of
• On the grounds that
• On the strength of
• Seeing that

Learn more with transition words in English for your writing.

Another Word for Because | Infographic

Words to Use Instead of Because

Because synonyms with examples.

Learn another word for because with example sentences.

As   you make your bed, so you must lie upon it.

As a consequence of   this trend, defensive mergers took place to protect local oligopolies .

The project foundered  as a result of  lack of finance.

She became an honorary member  by dint of  winning the championship.

The boss retains enormous influence  by reason of  his position.

 She got the job  by virtue of  her greater experience.

The country’s economic problems are largely due to  the weakness of the recovery.

 It is  due to the fact that  they are six years old.

The learned judge held not,  for the reason that  no one is entitled to profit from his own wrong.

It was surprising the government was re-elected,  given that  they had raised taxes so much.

In view of the weather, we will cancel the outing.

In view of the fact that  shantytown in our city has been removed, the preferential policies for them are terminated from this year on.

Inasmuch as  you are their parents, you are responsible for the behaviour of these keds.

Their father is also guilty,  insomuch as  he knew what they were planning to do.

Now that  the problem has been identified, appropriate action can be taken.

Both his first and second wife divorced him  on account of  his womanizing.

The plan had to be abandoned  on grounds of  cost.

The judge ordered a new trial  on the grounds that  evidence had been withheld.

On the strength of  my forthcoming salary increase, I have decided to buy a better car.

The course will have to be repeated  owing to  pressure of numbers .

Seeing that  he was a hard worker, he achieved a lot.

The devil knows may things since he is old.

Thanks to  you, I was saved from drowning.

Words to Use Instead of Because with Examples | Infographic

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Hello English learners. Welcome to a new lesson. Why would you repeat the same boring phrases over and over again? Let’s look at other ways to say I understand to help you enrich and improve your vocabulary and sound more like a native speaker. In other words, the more words and phrases you know, the more you will understand. You will find it easier to follow a film or series, read a book and of course, communicate better in English. Follow the link to learn 11 ways to say "I understand" in English.

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6 Better Ways Of Saying “This Is Because” (Complete Guide)

Sometimes, we use phrases all too often in essays and formal writing, making them less impressive when it comes to writing them. That’s why it’s important to use synonyms for phrases like “this is because” to make sure you’re keeping your writing fresh with every new sentence.

What Can I Say Instead Of “This Is Because”?

When you want to say “this is because” in a sentence, you might want to consider one of the following alternatives to make your writing pop:

• This is due to
• The reason for this is that
• As a result
• Thanks to this

The preferred version for the replacement is “this is due to” because it’s the closest synonym of “this is because.” It also gets used a lot in essay-writing and is the perfect phrase to explain a point further in a piece of writing.

This Is Due To

Let’s start by looking through the alternative methods a little closer. We’ll start with the most popular choice, “this is due to,” and work our way down from there.

“This is due to” means that the previous information is related to what we’re about to say. Basically, we’re saying that what was mentioned previously has a direct impact on what we’re about to say.

Let’s begin with a couple of examples to help you understand how “this is due to” might look in a sentence.

• People don’t like to communicate socially anymore. This is due to the growing relevance and accessibility of technology.
• It’s hard to get good grades in school . This is due to an oversaturated work curriculum that doesn’t set children up for success.
• It’s difficult for me to get into a good college. This is due to the fact that I didn’t try hard enough in my school years and didn’t get good grades.
• There are many developing countries in the world left to suffer. This is due to the developed countries not being willing to help them out of a tough spot.
• People are shopping less in malls. This is due to the internet making it much easier to order things online.

We usually start a sentence with “this is due to” when we want to develop the idea from the previous sentence. We can’t connect the two with a simple comma, and it isn’t advisable to use a semi-colon either.

Since we’re starting an entire new thread of discussion, it’s best to start a new sentence. That helps break up the flow of the sentence nicely and also gives the reader a chance to understand the direct connections we want to make between our pieces of information.

The Reason For This Is That

The next phrase we want to show you that works better than “this is because” is “the reason for this is that.” Generally, this one is a little less popular because it requires more wording to get right. Still, people use it comfortably in most forms of essay writing.

“The reason for this is that” also allows us to elaborate on a previously made point from the sentence before. It’s best to start a sentence with this phrase or a variation of it to continue a point.

• Christmas is less popular as a holiday now. The reason for this is that more people are beginning to turn to atheism and disregard religious beliefs.
• Television is one of the most powerful outlets in the world. The reason for this is that everyone has access to a TV and can watch it whenever they want.
• Mobile phones are detrimental to our mental health. The reason for this is that we see influencers post about their perfect life and only wish we can achieve it too.
• Wars are an unnecessary evil in the world. The reason for this is that governments just want to keep fighting for more power.
• School sets children up to learn fundamental things but forgets to teach us how to transition to adult life. The reason for this is that the school curriculum is outdated and needs refreshing.

As you can see, we use this phrase in much the same way as writing “this is due to.” It starts the next sentence and always follows on from the point we made previously.

As A Result

“As a result” is the next phrase we want to talk to you about. It’s also closely linked to the other ones we’ve mentioned here, but it is slightly different in that we’re talking about a direct impact of the information we provided rather than a causal link.

“As a result” is used when we want to share the resulting information that links to the previous sentence. It is more of a final result and summary of things rather than a direct synonym of “this is because.”

• Mobile phones are plaguing the world. As a result, family time has become less important to many children.
• With the growing age of technology, children are left inside playing video games. As a result, many children don’t get out to play in the fresh air.
• The internet is a dangerous place. As a result, thousands of people get scammed every month without even realizing it.
• The Amazon rainforest was on fire for a long time. As a result, we lost a lot of biodiversities.
• Ordering food online has become an increasingly easy process. As a result, eat-in restaurants have taken a big hit on sales.

As you can see, “as a result” is more of a final response to the previous information we provided. It’s still close to the meaning of “this is because,” but isn’t as close as some of the others we’ve mentioned.

“Owing to” is another example that follows the same trend as “as a result.” It refers to a result of something but also works well to replace “this is because” since it carries on from the previous information.

“Owing to” allows us to continue our point seamlessly throughout an essay. It works well as a synonym for “this is because” while also having the same meaning as the more final “as a result.”

• People are prepared to do what it takes to survive in the wild, owing to the increasing need to live in the wilderness with global warming.
• The internet is making it difficult to meet people in real life again, owing to how easy it is to connect with people across the globe.
• There are multiple ways you can write “this is because” in an essay, owing to the evolution of the English language and its roots.

As you can see, we don’t have to start a new sentence when we’re using “owing to,” which is different from how we use the other examples throughout this article.

Thanks To This

“Thank to this” is very similar to “this is because.” If we rearrange “this is because” slightly, we’re left with “because of this,” which is almost identical in meaning and delivery to “thanks to this.”

“Thanks to this” allows us to attribute a certain quality or point to the previous piece of information we were sharing in our essay.

• The ice caps have been melting for decades. Thanks to this, we’ve led a lot of arctic creatures to near extinction.
• Soldiers are frequently sent out to fight wars they have no reason to. Thanks to this, many families are left without sons and daughters.
• Politics has caused far too much drama over the recent years. Thanks to this, civil wars are beginning to develop right under our noses.

As you can see, “thanks to this” is used in much the same way as “this is because” and directly refers to the previous points made.

The last example we want to share with you is “since.” While this is one of the most common words to replace “because,” it is probably the furthest away from having a direct synonymous relationship with the phrase “this is because.” Still, it works well for our examples.

“Since” means “because” and relates to the previous information we’ve stated.

• Many children won’t receive presents when their birthdays come around since they come from poorer families and settlements.
• People are constantly arguing about their opinions since many of us believe that how we think is the only way the whole world thinks.
• There are many things wrong with the world that arent being fixed since none of the world leaders are ready to act on them.

We don’t need to include any punctuation when we’re using “since” in the examples you’ve seen above. This sets it apart from any of the other examples we’ve seen throughout this article.

Sometimes, it works if you make it a new sentence, but you never have to do so if you prefer the flow of keeping it as one sentence.

What Is The Difference Between “It Is Because” And “This Is Because”?

“It is because” should be used when talking about a general idea that might have impacted something. “This is because” should be used when talking about a more specific idea that directly relates to something that was previously mentioned in your piece of writing.

Martin holds a Master’s degree in Finance and International Business. He has six years of experience in professional communication with clients, executives, and colleagues. Furthermore, he has teaching experience from Aarhus University. Martin has been featured as an expert in communication and teaching on Forbes and Shopify. Read more about Martin here .

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Words to Use in an Essay: 300 Essay Words

Hannah Yang

Table of Contents

Words to use in the essay introduction, words to use in the body of the essay, words to use in your essay conclusion, how to improve your essay writing vocabulary.

It’s not easy to write an academic essay .

Many students struggle to word their arguments in a logical and concise way.

To make matters worse, academic essays need to adhere to a certain level of formality, so we can’t always use the same word choices in essay writing that we would use in daily life.

If you’re struggling to choose the right words for your essay, don’t worry—you’ve come to the right place!

In this article, we’ve compiled a list of over 300 words and phrases to use in the introduction, body, and conclusion of your essay.

The introduction is one of the hardest parts of an essay to write.

You have only one chance to make a first impression, and you want to hook your reader. If the introduction isn’t effective, the reader might not even bother to read the rest of the essay.

That’s why it’s important to be thoughtful and deliberate with the words you choose at the beginning of your essay.

Many students use a quote in the introductory paragraph to establish credibility and set the tone for the rest of the essay.

When you’re referencing another author or speaker, try using some of these phrases:

To use the words of X

According to X

As X states

Example: To use the words of Hillary Clinton, “You cannot have maternal health without reproductive health.”

Near the end of the introduction, you should state the thesis to explain the central point of your paper.

If you’re not sure how to introduce your thesis, try using some of these phrases:

In this essay, I will…

The purpose of this essay…

This essay discusses…

In this paper, I put forward the claim that…

There are three main arguments for…

Example: In this essay, I will explain why dress codes in public schools are detrimental to students.

After you’ve stated your thesis, it’s time to start presenting the arguments you’ll use to back up that central idea.

When you’re introducing the first of a series of arguments, you can use the following words:

First and foremost

First of all

To begin with

Example: First , consider the effects that this new social security policy would have on low-income taxpayers.

All these words and phrases will help you create a more successful introduction and convince your audience to read on.

The body of your essay is where you’ll explain your core arguments and present your evidence.

It’s important to choose words and phrases for the body of your essay that will help the reader understand your position and convince them you’ve done your research.

Let’s look at some different types of words and phrases that you can use in the body of your essay, as well as some examples of what these words look like in a sentence.

Transition Words and Phrases

Transitioning from one argument to another is crucial for a good essay.

It’s important to guide your reader from one idea to the next so they don’t get lost or feel like you’re jumping around at random.

Transition phrases and linking words show your reader you’re about to move from one argument to the next, smoothing out their reading experience. They also make your writing look more professional.

The simplest transition involves moving from one idea to a separate one that supports the same overall argument. Try using these phrases when you want to introduce a second correlating idea:

Additionally

In addition

Furthermore

Another key thing to remember

In the same way

Correspondingly

Example: Additionally , public parks increase property value because home buyers prefer houses that are located close to green, open spaces.

Another type of transition involves restating. It’s often useful to restate complex ideas in simpler terms to help the reader digest them. When you’re restating an idea, you can use the following words:

In other words

To put it another way

That is to say

To put it more simply

Example: “The research showed that 53% of students surveyed expressed a mild or strong preference for more on-campus housing. In other words , over half the students wanted more dormitory options.”

Often, you’ll need to provide examples to illustrate your point more clearly for the reader. When you’re about to give an example of something you just said, you can use the following words:

For instance

To give an illustration of

To exemplify

To demonstrate

As evidence

Example: Humans have long tried to exert control over our natural environment. For instance , engineers reversed the Chicago River in 1900, causing it to permanently flow backward.

Sometimes, you’ll need to explain the impact or consequence of something you’ve just said.

When you’re drawing a conclusion from evidence you’ve presented, try using the following words:

As a result

Accordingly

As you can see

This suggests that

It follows that

It can be seen that

For this reason

For all of those reasons

Consequently

Example: “There wasn’t enough government funding to support the rest of the physics experiment. Thus , the team was forced to shut down their experiment in 1996.”

When introducing an idea that bolsters one you’ve already stated, or adds another important aspect to that same argument, you can use the following words:

What’s more

Not only…but also

Not to mention

To say nothing of

Another key point

Example: The volcanic eruption disrupted hundreds of thousands of people. Moreover , it impacted the local flora and fauna as well, causing nearly a hundred species to go extinct.

Often, you'll want to present two sides of the same argument. When you need to compare and contrast ideas, you can use the following words:

On the one hand / on the other hand

Alternatively

In contrast to

On the contrary

By contrast

In comparison

Example: On the one hand , the Black Death was undoubtedly a tragedy because it killed millions of Europeans. On the other hand , it created better living conditions for the peasants who survived.

Finally, when you’re introducing a new angle that contradicts your previous idea, you can use the following phrases:

Having said that

Differing from

In spite of

With this in mind

Provided that

Nevertheless

Nonetheless

Notwithstanding

Example: Shakespearean plays are classic works of literature that have stood the test of time. Having said that , I would argue that Shakespeare isn’t the most accessible form of literature to teach students in the twenty-first century.

Good essays include multiple types of logic. You can use a combination of the transitions above to create a strong, clear structure throughout the body of your essay.

Strong Verbs for Academic Writing

Verbs are especially important for writing clear essays. Often, you can convey a nuanced meaning simply by choosing the right verb.

You should use strong verbs that are precise and dynamic. Whenever possible, you should use an unambiguous verb, rather than a generic verb.

For example, alter and fluctuate are stronger verbs than change , because they give the reader more descriptive detail.

Here are some useful verbs that will help make your essay shine.

Verbs that show change:

Accommodate

Verbs that relate to causing or impacting something:

Verbs that show increase:

Verbs that show decrease:

Deteriorate

Verbs that relate to parts of a whole:

Comprises of

Is composed of

Constitutes

Encompasses

Incorporates

Verbs that show a negative stance:

Misconstrue

Verbs that show a positive stance:

Substantiate

Verbs that relate to drawing conclusions from evidence:

Corroborate

Demonstrate

Verbs that relate to thinking and analysis:

Contemplate

Hypothesize

Investigate

Verbs that relate to showing information in a visual format:

Useful Adjectives and Adverbs for Academic Essays

You should use adjectives and adverbs more sparingly than verbs when writing essays, since they sometimes add unnecessary fluff to sentences.

However, choosing the right adjectives and adverbs can help add detail and sophistication to your essay.

Sometimes you'll need to use an adjective to show that a finding or argument is useful and should be taken seriously. Here are some adjectives that create positive emphasis:

Significant

Other times, you'll need to use an adjective to show that a finding or argument is harmful or ineffective. Here are some adjectives that create a negative emphasis:

Controversial

Insignificant

Questionable

Unnecessary

Unrealistic

Finally, you might need to use an adverb to lend nuance to a sentence, or to express a specific degree of certainty. Here are some examples of adverbs that are often used in essays:

Comprehensively

Exhaustively

Extensively

Respectively

Surprisingly

Using these words will help you successfully convey the key points you want to express. Once you’ve nailed the body of your essay, it’s time to move on to the conclusion.

The conclusion of your paper is important for synthesizing the arguments you’ve laid out and restating your thesis.

In your concluding paragraph, try using some of these essay words:

In conclusion

To summarize

In a nutshell

Given the above

As described

All things considered

Example: In conclusion , it’s imperative that we take action to address climate change before we lose our coral reefs forever.

In addition to simply summarizing the key points from the body of your essay, you should also add some final takeaways. Give the reader your final opinion and a bit of a food for thought.

To place emphasis on a certain point or a key fact, use these essay words:

Unquestionably

Undoubtedly

Particularly

Importantly

Conclusively

It should be noted

On the whole

Example: Ada Lovelace is unquestionably a powerful role model for young girls around the world, and more of our public school curricula should include her as a historical figure.

These concluding phrases will help you finish writing your essay in a strong, confident way.

There are many useful essay words out there that we didn't include in this article, because they are specific to certain topics.

If you're writing about biology, for example, you will need to use different terminology than if you're writing about literature.

So how do you improve your vocabulary skills?

The vocabulary you use in your academic writing is a toolkit you can build up over time, as long as you take the time to learn new words.

One way to increase your vocabulary is by looking up words you don’t know when you’re reading.

Try reading more books and academic articles in the field you’re writing about and jotting down all the new words you find. You can use these words to bolster your own essays.

You can also consult a dictionary or a thesaurus. When you’re using a word you’re not confident about, researching its meaning and common synonyms can help you make sure it belongs in your essay.

Don't be afraid of using simpler words. Good essay writing boils down to choosing the best word to convey what you need to say, not the fanciest word possible.

Finally, you can use ProWritingAid’s synonym tool or essay checker to find more precise and sophisticated vocabulary. Click on weak words in your essay to find stronger alternatives.

There you have it: our compilation of the best words and phrases to use in your next essay . Good luck!

Good writing = better grades

ProWritingAid will help you improve the style, strength, and clarity of all your assignments.

Hannah Yang is a speculative fiction writer who writes about all things strange and surreal. Her work has appeared in Analog Science Fiction, Apex Magazine, The Dark, and elsewhere, and two of her stories have been finalists for the Locus Award. Her favorite hobbies include watercolor painting, playing guitar, and rock climbing. You can follow her work on hannahyang.com, or subscribe to her newsletter for publication updates.

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