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Thread: due to/owing to

  1. #1
    panicmonger is offline Member
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    Default due to/owing to

    Happy Ramadan to all muslims around the world.

    Most English teachers would recommend using "due to" after be in a sentence.

    For example:
    This was due to lack of support, the match was cancelled.


    If I replace "due to" with "owing to", just as:
    This was owing to lack of support, the match was cancelled.

    A preposition after "be" is normal and usual to me, just like:
    The keys are in the drawer.

    Thank you.

  2. #2
    emsr2d2 is online now VIP Member
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    Default Re: due to/owing to

    Quote Originally Posted by panicmonger View Post
    Happy Ramadan to all muslims around the world.

    Most English teachers would recommend using "due to" after be in a sentence.

    For example:
    This was Due to a lack of support, the match was cancelled.


    If I replace "due to" with "owing to", just as:
    This was Owing to a lack of support, the match was cancelled.

    A preposition after "be" is normal and usual to me, just like:
    The keys are in the drawer.

    Thank you.
    "Due to" and "owing to" in your sentences are interchangeable. However, in neither case is "There is" an apppropriate beginning to the sentence, and you need an article before "lack".

    You can also change the word order:

    The match was cancelled due to a lack of support.
    The match was cancelled owing to a lack of support.

    If you want to use "This is/was" then:

    The match has been cancelled. This is due to a lack of support.
    The match was cancelled. This was due to a lack of support.
    Last edited by emsr2d2; 12-Aug-2010 at 14:19. Reason: Typo
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  3. #3
    panicmonger is offline Member
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    Default Re: due to/owing to

    Quote Originally Posted by emsr2d2 View Post
    If you want to use "This is/was" then:

    The match has been cancelled. This is due to a lack of support.
    The match was cancelled. This was due to a lack of support.
    Could I replace them with "owing to"?

    The match has been cancelled. This is owing to a lack of support.
    The match was cancelled. This was owing to a lack of support.

    Because I feel that a preposition phrase after "be" is normal and usual, but some would say it is much better to use "due to".

    Thank you.

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    Default Re: due to/owing to

    Remember due to is meant to be used to refer to a noun or substantive, not an entire clause with a predicate.

    I buy lots of books due to my interest in reading. (Wrong)
    My large library is due to my interest in reading. (Right)
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