because of + Ving?

[sjc55]

We usually see a noun phrase or a noun after "because of". But can we use "Ving" after "because of"?

Is the following sentence correct? "Because of being shy, Jeff has difficulty talking loudly to girls."

[BobK]

We usually see a noun phrase or a noun after "because of". But can we use "Ving" after "because of"?

Is the following sentence correct? "Because of being shy, Jeff has difficulty talking loudly to girls."

I think in that case I'd go for a clear* noun: 'Because of his shyness...'. But your "being" functions as a noun, and it's certainly not wrong.

In some cases, V-ing is better than what I called a 'clear noun':

'Because of her laughing, all the children were kept back after school' means something different from 'because of her laughter...' (which refers to her behaviour - her laughter in general - and not to a particular instance of her laughing). Probably a verb would be better in that case: "Because she [had] laughed, all the children were kept back after school'.

b
PS *This isn't - as far as I know - a technical term; I just made it up

[Soup]

Re: Because of being shy, Jeff has difficulty talking loudly to girls.

The phrase being shy functions adjectivally; it's short for being (that Jeff is) shy.

Participle
Jeff being (that he is) shy has difficulty talking loudly to girls.

Being (that he is) shy, Jeff has difficulty talking loudly to girls.

Participle: Because of being (that Jeff is) shy
Gerund: Because of his shyness ...

[sjc55]

Hi Soup,

Thank you.

[Soup]

You're welcome.