Because and Because of

Because is a conjunction and is used with a clause. Because of is a preposition and it is used with a noun or a noun phrase. Look at the examples below:

I did not come to the meeting because it rained. (it rained is a clause)
I did not come to the meeting because of the rain. (the rain is a noun phrase)

- "Because" and "Because of"

A. Because is a conjunction and must be followed by a clasue (Subject + Verb +....)

Example:

1. I did not come to the meeting because I was sick.

Conj. Clause

('Saya tidak datang ke pertemuan itu karena saya sakit')

2. Because John did not have much money, he did not buy a new car.

Conj. Clause

('Karena John tidak punya banyak uang, dia tidak membeli mobil baru')

In example 1 because is a conjunction which is followed by a clause I was sick. I was sick is a clause because it has subject (I) and verb (was).

In example 2 because is also conjuntion which is followed by a clause John did not have much money. John did not have much money is a clause because it has subject (John) and Verb (did not have).

B. Because of is a preposition and must be followed by a noun or noun phrase.

Example:

3. I did not go out because of the bad weather.

Preposition Noun Phrase

('Saya tidak keluar karena cuaca buruk')

4. Because of her mother objection, Sally didn't go to the party.

Prepositin Noun Phrase

('Karena keberatan ibunya/karena ibunya keberatan, Sally tidak pergi ke pesta'.)

In example 3, because of is preposition which is followed by the noun phrase her mother objection.

In example 4, because of is preposition which is followed by the noun phrase her mother objection.