What Does "on account of" Mean?
- Grammatical function: "On account of" is a compound preposition used to express cause or reason. It establishes a logical link between an action or state and the factor that triggered it.
- Typical sentence position: It is highly flexible and can appear in the initial position (to emphasize the cause), medial position (as a parenthetical insertion), or final position (to provide explanatory detail).
- Register: This expression is generally neutral to formal. While it is common in legal and academic writing, it also appears in literature and journalism to add rhythmic variety or a specific tone to the narrative.
How to Use It
- Syntactic patterns: As a preposition, it must be followed by a noun phrase, a pronoun, or a gerund (-ing form). It cannot be followed directly by a finite verb clause.
- Punctuation rules: When used at the beginning of a sentence, it is typically followed by a comma after the introductory phrase. In the middle of a sentence, commas may be used if the phrase functions as non-essential information.
- Grammatical flexibility: It can be easily moved within a sentence to change emphasis. It can also be modified by adverbs (e.g., "largely on account of") or negated (e.g., "not on account of").
- What sounds unnatural or incorrect: Following the expression with a full clause (e.g., "on account of he was late") is grammatically incorrect. Furthermore, using it too frequently in very informal spoken conversation can sometimes sound slightly stilted or old-fashioned.
Real-World Examples
These examples are sourced from on account of on Ludwig.guru.
"L. 103–322, § 320201(b), substituted "any person in any State" for "any inhabitant of any State" and "on account of such person" for "on account of such inhabitant"." — law.cornell.edu
"His sentence was automatically shortened to one year on account of high incarceration rates." — news.vice.com
"A rumor that no one could clarify on account of the spotty internet on board." — vice.com
"On account of being fictional ninja turtles." — theguardian.com
"It couldn't, on account of the Botox." — newyorker.com
Examples sourced from https://ludwig.guru/s/on+account+of
Similar Phrases and Alternatives
Depending on the level of formality or the specific situation, you might want to vary your language.
| Phrase |
Context |
| because of |
The most common neutral alternative; suitable for almost any context. |
| due to |
Often used to modify nouns or following a form of the verb "to be." |
| owing to |
Slightly more formal; frequently used at the beginning of sentences. |
| by virtue of |
Formal; implies that the cause is a specific power, right, or quality. |
| thanks to |
Usually used for positive causes, though it can be used sarcastically. |
| in light of |
Used when a reason is provided based on new information or circumstances. |
Common Mistakes
- Clause Confusion: Learners often mistakenly follow it with a full clause (subject + verb) instead of a noun phrase or a gerund. For example, "on account of the rain" is correct, but "on account of it rained" is incorrect.
- Redundancy: Using it alongside other causal markers like "because" in the same breath (e.g., "The reason is on account of...") creates a tautology.
- Punctuation Neglect: Failing to use a comma when the phrase starts a long introductory sentence can make the text difficult to parse.
Quick-Reference Summary
| Expression |
Function |
Register |
Typical Position |
| on account of |
Cause / Reason |
Neutral to Formal |
Initial, Medial, or Final |
FAQs
Where in a sentence can on account of appear?
The expression on account of is syntactically flexible and can be placed at the sentence-initial, mid-clause, or sentence-final position. When used at the start, it introduces the reason before the main result, whereas in the final position, it provides an explanation for the preceding statement.
What is the difference between on account of and because of?
While both phrases function as prepositions to indicate cause, on account of is generally perceived as slightly more formal or literary than the neutral because of. In most professional and academic writing, they are interchangeable, but on account of can provide a more sophisticated rhythmic flow to a sentence.
Can I follow on account of with a subject and a verb?
No, you cannot follow on account of with a full finite clause; it must always be followed by a noun phrase, pronoun, or gerund. Learners often mistakenly follow it with a full clause (subject + verb) instead of a noun phrase or a gerund, which is a major grammatical error.