Key Difference

• “Due to” usually connects directly to nouns and describes something that is caused by another thing.
• “Owing to” often introduces reasons for actions or situations and usually connects to the verb in a clause.

Now, let’s break down each term with examples and rules!

1. “Due to” – Linking to Nouns

“Due to” works like an adjective phrase, meaning it describes or modifies a noun. You’ll commonly see it after forms of the verb to be (like “is,” “was,” “are,” etc.).

How to Use “Due to”

• Use “due to” to explain the cause of a noun.
• It often fits best after phrases like “was” or “is.”

Examples

• “The cancellation was due to bad weather.”
  (Here, “due to” modifies “cancellation,” explaining why it was canceled.)
• “Her success is due to hard work and persistence.”

💡 Pro Tip: If you can replace “due to” with “caused by,” and the sentence still makes sense, then “due to” is probably correct.
Example: “The delay was caused by (due to) technical issues.”

2. “Owing to” – Explaining a Reason for an Action

“Owing to” behaves more like an adverbial phrase, meaning it modifies or gives a reason for the action in a clause. You’ll usually see “owing to” at the beginning of a sentence or clause, setting up the reason for the entire clause.

How to Use “Owing to”

• Use “owing to” to give the reason for something happening.
• It often appears at the start of a sentence or phrase.

Examples

• “Owing to the heavy rain, the event was postponed.” (The phrase “owing to the heavy rain” explains why the event was postponed.)
• “The flight was delayed owing to a technical issue.”

💡 Pro Tip: If you can replace “owing to” with “because of,” and the sentence still makes sense, then “owing to” is likely correct.
Example: “Because of (Owing to) the storm, they stayed indoors.”

Quick Comparison Table

Practice Exercise

Fill in the blanks with “due to” or “owing to”:

1. The match was canceled _______ rain.
2. Her promotion was _______ her excellent performance.
3. _______ the delay, they missed their connecting flight.
4. His low grades were _______ lack of study.

Answers:

1. owing to
2. due to
3. Owing to
4. due to