English grammar
Cause + noun: due to, owing to, it's X's fault, thanks to
Give causes with nouns, in formal writing and in everyday speech.
From the scene Due to the rise
In short
Due to and owing to + noun are formal causes. In speech, it's X's fault blames and thanks to credits.
Your turn
Which one goes with owing to + noun (formal, neutral)?
Options: owing to speculation · due to the rise in rents · it's those vultures' fault
Show answer
owing to + noun (formal, neutral) → owing to speculation
How it works
Due to and owing to are neutral and formal: they suit official texts.
Good to know
In speech, it's X's fault blames (a bad cause) and thanks to, which you already know, credits (a good cause).
Good to know
Due to, owing to and thanks to go straight in front of a noun, never a whole clause.
Good to know
With it's X's fault, the noun goes in the middle: it's those vultures' fault.
due to + noun (formal, neutral) due to the rise in rents
Nuria
Listen to what I've got so far: "Due to the rise in rents..."
Escuche lo que llevo: "Debido al aumento de los alquileres..."
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Listen to what I've got so far: "(blank)..."
Options: It's those vultures' fault · Due to the rise in rents · Owing to speculation
Show answer
Nuria
Listen to what I've got so far: "Due to the rise in rents..."
Escuche lo que llevo: "Debido al aumento de los alquileres..."
owing to + noun (formal, neutral) owing to speculation
Nuria
I can't put "vultures". I'll put "owing to speculation".
No puedo poner "buitres". Pongo "a causa de la especulación".
Your turn
What fills the gap?
I can't put "vultures". I'll put "(blank)".
Options: owing to speculation · due to the rise in rents · it's those vultures' fault
Show answer
Nuria
I can't put "vultures". I'll put "owing to speculation".
No puedo poner "buitres". Pongo "a causa de la especulación".
it's X's fault (blame) it's those vultures' fault
Elena
Due to what? It's those vultures' fault!
¿Debido a qué? ¡Por culpa de esos buitres!
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Due to what? (blank)!
Options: It's those vultures' fault · Due to the rise in rents · Owing to speculation
Show answer
Elena
Due to what? It's those vultures' fault!
¿Debido a qué? ¡Por culpa de esos buitres!
thanks to + noun (credit) thanks to me
Elena
And put that the neighbourhood is still alive thanks to me.
Y pon que el barrio sigue vivo gracias a mí.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
And put that the neighbourhood is still alive (blank).
Options: owing to speculation · thanks to me · due to the rise in rents
Show answer
Elena
And put that the neighbourhood is still alive thanks to me.
Y pon que el barrio sigue vivo gracias a mí.
it's all + name's fault it's all Doña Elena's fault
Elena
Lovely. Though Don Ramón would say: "it's all Doña Elena's fault".
Precioso. Aunque Don Ramón diría: "por culpa de Doña Elena".
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Lovely. Though Don Ramón would say: "(blank)".
Options: due to the rise in rents · owing to speculation · it's all Doña Elena's fault
Show answer
Elena
Lovely. Though Don Ramón would say: "it's all Doña Elena's fault".
Precioso. Aunque Don Ramón diría: "por culpa de Doña Elena".
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| due to + noun (formal, neutral) | due to the rise in rents |
|---|---|
| owing to + noun (formal, neutral) | owing to speculation |
| it's X's fault (blame) | it's those vultures' fault |
| thanks to + noun (credit) | thanks to me |
| it's all + name's fault | it's all Doña Elena's fault |
More lines from the story
- ElenaThat's it. Because of the tourists, the bakery sells fridge magnets now.Eso. Por culpa de los turistas, la panadería ahora vende imanes.