Key Difference

• “Due to”: Used to modify a noun and often follows the verb “to be.”
• “Owing to”: Used to modify a verb and functions more like a prepositional phrase.

Now, let’s explore them in more detail.

1. “Due to”

• Meaning: It indicates a reason or cause and is linked to a noun.
• Usage: “Due to” usually follows the verb to be (am, is, are, was, were).

Examples:

• • “The flight was delayed due to bad weather.”
  • “His absence was due to illness.”

In these sentences, “due to” explains the cause of a noun (flight or absence). It could be replaced by “caused by,” and the sentence would still make sense.

Quick Tip: You can think of “due to” as something directly caused by something else. Try this substitution trick: If you can replace “due to” with “caused by,” it’s being used correctly!

1. “Owing to”

• Meaning: Similar to “due to,” but it modifies the whole action or verb.
• Usage: “Owing to” is typically used to introduce a reason for an action, like how an event unfolded.

Examples:

• • “The match was canceled owing to the rain.”
  • “She arrived late owing to traffic.”

In these examples, “owing to” explains the reason for the action of canceling or arriving late. If you substitute “because of” or “due to” here, the meaning remains the same.

📝 Common Mistakes:

• Incorrect: “The delay was owing to the storm.”
  Correct: “The delay was due to the storm.”
  (Since “delay” is a noun, we use “due to.”)
• Incorrect: “Owing to his illness, he was absent.”
  Correct: “Due to his illness, he was absent.”
  (When you’re explaining a noun like “absence,” stick with “due to.”)

💡 Learning Tip:

• Owing to = Because of
• Due to = Caused by

📝 Practice Time:

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

1. The show was canceled _______ the rain.
2. His promotion was _______ his hard work.
3. _______ a broken leg, she couldn’t participate in the race.
4. The low attendance was _______ the late notice.

Answers:

1. The show was canceled owing to the rain.
2. His promotion was due to his hard work.
3. Owing to a broken leg, she couldn’t participate in the race.
4. The low attendance was due to the late notice.