Confused

[MikeNewYork]

Originally Posted by js_rich

Hello, Mike
I'm just wondering if there is a grammar book or something which has all the things you are mentioning. For example, how do you know it is wrong use gerund phrase after "because of". Is it possible , because you guys are native speakers ( I mean "experience"), because you have learned from school? There should be books.
Looking forward to hearing your opinion.
Thanks

That wasn't my statement and I'm not sure I agree with it. There are many cases in which a gerund or a gerund phrase doesn't work after "because of". That is similar to verbs that do not take a gerund as a complement. One learns these things by listening and reading. There are many examples of grammatical constructions that are not idiomatic in the English language. I have been able to come up with some uses of gerund after "because of".

Because of poaching, many African animals will be extinct in two generations.
Because of his drinking, John has trouble remembering the simplest of things.

[MikeNewYork]

Originally Posted by dihen

So it's unnatural but not ungrammatical?

That can happen.