On account of

Question

Hello,I would like to hear your opinion on the following sentence:"The children had to cut their play short on account of thunder and lighning."Is their a discrepancy in style, wouldn't it be better to say BECAUSE OF instead of ON ACCOUNT OF?Thank you for your answer!

Old Man Gordon · Accepted Answer

The two are basically synonyms.  I don't think one is a better choice than the other.  'Due to' would also work.

CalifJim · Answer

There's nothing wrong with your sentence.
To my ear, on account of is in a lower register than because of, but that's a matter of style, not grammar.

CJ

Philip · Answer

I agree with CJ.  I wouldn't use "on account of" except in casual speech.

Old Man Gordon · Answer

I'll agree with the West-coasters to some extent, but there is a common idiom in baseball: "game called on account of weather." which is fairly common regardless of circumstances (formal or everyday).

Cool Breeze · Answer

I see no discrepancy in style. Owing to would also work just fine.

CB

Philip · Answer

Old Man GordonI'll agree with the West-coasters to some extent, but there is a common idiom in baseball: "game called on account of weather." which is fairly common regardless of circumstances (formal or everyday).

The example is well taken. I would say, however, that it qualifies as "casual".

On account of

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