The phrase “this is because” is one of the most common ways to explain a reason in English. Learners use it early. Professionals use it often.
Writers rely on it daily. But when you repeat it too much, your language can sound flat, basic, or even slightly unprofessional.
Using alternatives matters because word choice changes tone. It can make your message sound formal or friendly, confident or soft, academic or casual.
In emails, meetings, essays, and everyday conversation, varied language improves clarity and shows fluency.
Compare this:
- Formal: The delay occurred due to a system error.
- Informal: It was late because the system crashed.
Same meaning. Different impact.
This guide helps English learners and professionals express cause and reason naturally, clearly, and confidently—without sounding repetitive.
What Does “This Is Because” Mean?
“This is because” is used to introduce a reason or explanation for something already mentioned.
It connects a result to its cause.
Grammar form:
A linking phrase used to explain cause and effect.
Often followed by a clause or noun phrase.
Similar expressions:
- because of this
- the reason is
- due to
Opposite tone (less explanatory):
- anyway
- regardless
Example sentences:
- Sales dropped this month. This is because demand slowed.
- She left early. This is because she felt unwell.
When to Use “This Is Because”
Spoken English
Used often in explanations and storytelling. Sounds neutral but repetitive if overused.
Business English
Acceptable, but alternatives sound more polished in reports or presentations.
Emails and messages
Works in neutral emails. Better options exist for formal communication.
Social media
Rarely used. Sounds stiff and academic.
Academic writing
Common, but professors prefer variation.
Professional meetings
Understood, but smoother phrases show confidence and clarity.
Is “This Is Because” Polite or Professional?
The phrase is neutral.
- Polite: Yes
- Professional: Acceptable, but basic
- Strong: No
- Soft: Yes
Formal vs informal:
Neither formal nor casual. It sits in the middle.
Etiquette tip:
Fine for learning and conversation.
Avoid repeating it in reports, proposals, or executive emails.
Pros & Cons of Using “This Is Because”
✔ Pros
- Clear and easy to understand
- Safe for learners
- Explains cause directly
✘ Cons
- Sounds repetitive
- Lacks style
- Weak in formal writing
Quick Alternatives List (For Fast Use)
- because of
- due to
- as a result of
- the reason is
- this happens when
- stemming from
- caused by
- owing to
- as
- since
- resulting from
- that’s why
- which led to
- thanks to
- attributed to
Because Of
Meaning:
Shows a direct reason.
Explanation:
Clear and natural. Shorter than “this is because.” Very common in speech and writing.
Grammar note:
Prepositional phrase.
Example sentence:
The match was canceled because of rain.
Best use:
Emails, workplace, conversation.
Worst use:
Academic writing without variety.
Tone:
Neutral.
Level:
Beginner.
Similarity score:
9/10.
Replaceability tip:
Use when the cause is a noun, not a full sentence.
Due To
Meaning:
Caused by something.
Explanation:
More formal than “because of.” Common in reports and announcements.
Grammar note:
Adjectival phrase.
Example sentence:
The delay was due to technical issues.
Best use:
Professional writing, business emails.
Worst use:
Very casual chats.
Tone:
Formal, professional.
Level:
Intermediate.
Similarity score:
9/10.
Replaceability tip:
Choose this for official explanations.
As a Result Of
Meaning:
Shows cause leading to an outcome.
Explanation:
Emphasizes consequence. Sounds structured and polished.
Grammar note:
Formal phrase.
Example sentence:
Production stopped as a result of equipment failure.
Best use:
Reports, presentations, academic writing.
Worst use:
Text messages.
Tone:
Formal.
Level:
Intermediate.
Similarity score:
8/10.
Replaceability tip:
Use when highlighting impact.
The Reason Is
Meaning:
Introduces an explanation clearly.
Explanation:
Direct and conversational. Slightly more natural than “this is because.”
Grammar note:
Clause opener.
Example sentence:
The reason is we lacked resources.
Best use:
Meetings, spoken explanations.
Worst use:
Highly formal writing.
Tone:
Neutral.
Level:
Beginner.
Similarity score:
8/10.
Replaceability tip:
Good for spoken clarity.
This Happens Because
Meaning:
Explains why something occurs.
Explanation:
Sounds instructional. Often used in teaching or training.
Grammar note:
Clause phrase.
Example sentence:
This happens because the system resets automatically.
Best use:
Training, explanations.
Worst use:
Formal reports.
Tone:
Neutral.
Level:
Beginner.
Similarity score:
7/10.
Replaceability tip:
Use when explaining processes.
Owing To
Meaning:
Because of something.
Explanation:
Formal and British-sounding. Often seen in official notices.
Grammar note:
Prepositional phrase.
Example sentence:
Flights were delayed owing to fog.
Best use:
Formal notices, UK English.
Worst use:
Casual talk.
Tone:
Formal.
Level:
Advanced.
Similarity score:
8/10.
Replaceability tip:
Choose for polished, official tone.
Stemming From
Meaning:
Originating from.
Explanation:
Suggests a deeper cause. Sounds analytical.
Grammar note:
Verb phrase.
Example sentence:
Issues stemming from miscommunication caused delays.
Best use:
Business analysis, reports.
Worst use:
Casual conversation.
Tone:
Professional.
Level:
Advanced.
Similarity score:
7/10.
Replaceability tip:
Use for root causes.
Caused By
Meaning:
Direct cause.
Explanation:
Straightforward and factual.
Grammar note:
Passive construction.
Example sentence:
The error was caused by a coding issue.
Best use:
Technical writing, explanations.
Worst use:
Overuse in passive-heavy text.
Tone:
Neutral.
Level:
Beginner.
Similarity score:
8/10.
Replaceability tip:
Good for clear accountability.
Since
Meaning:
Because.
Explanation:
Natural and smooth in speech and writing.
Grammar note:
Conjunction.
Example sentence:
Since traffic was heavy, we arrived late.
Best use:
Conversation, emails.
Worst use:
Very formal writing.
Tone:
Friendly.
Level:
Beginner.
Similarity score:
7/10.
Replaceability tip:
Great for natural flow.
As
Meaning:
Because.
Explanation:
Soft and subtle. Often used at sentence beginnings.
Grammar note:
Conjunction.
Example sentence:
As the store was closed, we left.
Best use:
Writing, storytelling.
Worst use:
When cause needs emphasis.
Tone:
Soft.
Level:
Intermediate.
Similarity score:
7/10.
Replaceability tip:
Use when reason is secondary.
That’s Why
Meaning:
Shows result clearly.
Explanation:
Conversational and expressive.
Grammar note:
Informal connector.
Example sentence:
It was raining. That’s why we stayed home.
Best use:
Spoken English, texting.
Worst use:
Formal emails.
Tone:
Casual.
Level:
Beginner.
Similarity score:
6/10.
Replaceability tip:
Use in relaxed settings.
Which Led To
Meaning:
Shows cause leading to consequence.
Explanation:
Common in narratives and reports.
Grammar note:
Relative clause.
Example sentence:
The error spread, which led to delays.
Best use:
Writing, analysis.
Worst use:
Short casual replies.
Tone:
Professional.
Level:
Intermediate.
Similarity score:
6/10.
Replaceability tip:
Use for chain reactions.
Resulting From
Meaning:
Coming from a cause.
Explanation:
Formal and precise.
Grammar note:
Participial phrase.
Example sentence:
Damage resulting from flooding was severe.
Best use:
Reports, insurance, academic work.
Worst use:
Conversation.
Tone:
Formal.
Level:
Advanced.
Similarity score:
7/10.
Replaceability tip:
Good for formal documentation.
Thanks To
Meaning:
Because of, usually positive.
Explanation:
Often implies benefit, not blame.
Grammar note:
Prepositional phrase.
Example sentence:
Thanks to your help, we succeeded.
Best use:
Positive explanations.
Worst use:
Negative events.
Tone:
Friendly.
Level:
Beginner.
Similarity score:
5/10.
Replaceability tip:
Use for positive causes only.
Attributed To
Meaning:
Believed to be caused by.
Explanation:
Formal and careful. Often used when cause isn’t certain.
Grammar note:
Passive phrase.
Example sentence:
The rise was attributed to market demand.
Best use:
Reports, research.
Worst use:
Casual talk.
Tone:
Formal.
Level:
Advanced.
Similarity score:
6/10.
Replaceability tip:
Use when avoiding strong claims.
Mini Dialogue Examples
Formal
- The project was delayed due to budget limitations.
Informal
- Traffic was confused. That’s why I’m late.
Business email
- The meeting was postponed as a result of scheduling conflicts.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Repeating “this is because” in every paragraph
- Using thanks to for negative events
- Mixing informal phrases in formal emails
- Overusing passive voice
- Forgetting grammar structure after “due to”
- Starting every sentence with “because”
- Using formal phrases in texting
Cultural & Tone Tips
In US English, short and direct alternatives sound natural.
In UK English, formal phrases like owing to feel normal.
In casual social English, people prefer since, because, or that’s why.
Tone matters more than grammar. Native speakers notice repetition quickly.
Comparison Table of Strong Alternatives
| Phrase | Tone | Best Context | Professional Level | Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Due to | Formal | Reports | High | Delay due to weather |
| Because of | Neutral | General use | Medium | Closed because of rain |
| As a result of | Formal | Analysis | High | Errors as a result of bugs |
| Since | Friendly | Conversation | Low | Since it rained |
| That’s why | Casual | Speech | Low | That’s why I left |
| Attributed to | Formal | Research | High | Growth attributed to demand |
FAQs
Is “this is because” rude?
No. It is neutral, but repetitive.
Is it okay in emails?
Yes, but alternatives sound more professional.
What is the most formal alternative?
Due to or attributed to.
What is the most polite option?
As or since.
What should beginners use?
Because of, since, or the reason is.
Can I use it in academic writing?
Yes, but vary your language.
Conclusion
Using only “this is because” limits your English. Small changes create stronger messages. The right alternative improves tone, clarity, and confidence. In business, it sounds professional.
In conversation, it sounds natural. In writing, it shows fluency.
Practice these expressions in emails, meetings, and daily speech. Start small.
Replace one phrase at a time. Over time, your English will feel smoother, sharper, and more native-like.
John Lee is an education-focused writer with a strong interest in English grammar and language learning.
He creates clear, student-friendly content to help learners improve their grammar skills with confidence.