Monday, January 28, 2019

Grammar: Due To

The phrase due to is a pet peeve of mine, I admit. It is so pretentious, it drives me crazy. I will edit it out even when it is used correctly. If you must use it, here’s how.

Due to is an adjective (technically an adjective with a preposition). This means it cannot start a sentence and must follow a be verb:

Due to extenuating circumstances, we cannot acquiesce to your request. ☹ (If we’re going to be pretentious, let’s not do it half way.)
The cold was due to the snow.

Think of it in the same sense as library books being due. The grammar is the same.

Trick to Remember
Use because of instead of due to in all circumstances, okay?

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