Complex Prepositions — Cause, Reason & Attribution (C1)

Your task

Fill in the gap in each sentence with the correct word or phrase.

0 / 15 answered

Your score

0 / 150%

Keep practising! Focus on the explanations below.

As a of severe overnight weather, the morning ferry service from Aberdeen has been suspended until further notice. (one word)

Correct answer: result

The fixed complex preposition "as a result of" introduces the direct consequence of a prior event. The keyword "result" is non-substitutable: "*as a consequence of" is also a complex preposition, but uses "consequence" rather than "result" — different fixed forms.

Several inbound flights have been cancelled to industrial action by airport ground staff. (one word)

Correct answer: due

"Due to" and "owing to" are near-interchangeable complex prepositions introducing a cause. Historically "due to" was attributive only (with copular verbs) while "owing to" was the adverbial alternative, but in modern English both function freely as cause-prepositions.

The board meeting had to be brought forward of an unavoidable conflict in the chairman's diary for the original date. (one word)

Correct answer: because

"Because of" is the everyday neutral complex preposition for cause. Note the contrast with the subordinator "because + clause" — different syntax. The two-word "because of" requires a noun phrase.

All deliveries to the village square are being temporarily rerouted account of major resurfacing works on the high street. (one word)

Correct answer: on

The complex preposition "on account of" is mid-formal and emphasises the factor that EXPLAINS the situation. Slightly more administrative in register than "because of". The keyword is the initial preposition "on".

The deputy mayor presided over the unveiling ceremony virtue of her statutory role as acting head of council during the official's leave of absence. (one word)

Correct answer: by

"By virtue of" introduces the qualification or authority by which someone is entitled to do something. Strongly formal; common in legal and constitutional language. Distinct from "by means of" (instrument) and "by way of" (form).

to the extraordinary generosity of several local employers, the apprenticeship programme has been able to take on a third intake this year. (one word)

Correct answer: Thanks

"Thanks to" attributes a positive outcome to its enabling cause. Note the register: warmer and more personal than "due to" or "owing to". Reserved for outcomes the speaker regards favourably (the ironic "thanks to your interference" is the only exception).

Image reproduced of the Northumberland Maritime Archive, with grateful acknowledgement to the curatorial team. (one word)

Correct answer: courtesy

"Courtesy of" is a fixed formal complex preposition used in attribution lines for photographs, quotations and other materials provided without charge. The keyword "courtesy" is non-substitutable in this fossilised attribution pattern.

The original case against the defendant was eventually dropped for of any corroborating physical evidence at the scene. (one word)

Correct answer: lack

"For lack of" and "for want of" both introduce the missing element that has caused something not to happen. Both are formal; "for want of" is slightly more literary. Both are accepted here.

In of the most recent intelligence assessments, the proposed travel-advisory wording has been substantially revised by the foreign office. (one word)

Correct answer: light

"In light of" introduces a new piece of information whose emergence has caused a reconsideration. Distinct from "in view of" — covered in Q10 — which is more general and forward-looking. "In light of" specifically implies REVISION of a prior view.

In of the urgency of the request, an exception will be made to the standard three-week turnaround on this occasion only. (one word)

Correct answer: view

"In view of" introduces a circumstance being weighed up before deciding on a course of action. Less retrospective than "in light of": it concerns a known fact that affects current judgement, not a new fact requiring revision of past judgement.

The latest planning application was rejected on the of inadequate provision for the safe management of pedestrian traffic at the proposed entrance. (one word)

Correct answer: grounds

"On the grounds of" introduces the formal stated reason for a decision, particularly in legal, judicial and administrative contexts. The keyword "grounds" is invariably plural in this fixed phrase. Distinct from "on the basis of" — covered in Q12 — which introduces evidence or a source of information.

Long-term economic projections for the region are now being revised downward on the of the latest household-spending data from the central bureau. (one word)

Correct answer: basis

"On the basis of" introduces the evidence, source or foundation from which a judgement or projection is derived. Distinct from "on the grounds of" — covered in Q11 — which introduces a stated REASON, not a body of evidence.

As a direct of the cross-border merger, several duplicated middle-management roles in both organisations were inevitably eliminated. (one word)

Correct answer: consequence

"As a consequence of" and "as a result of" are near-synonymous complex prepositions for cause-effect attribution; "as a consequence of" carries a slightly heavier and more formal weight. Both are accepted here.

The complete collapse of negotiations was almost entirely to the unwillingness of either side to compromise on the central question of governance. (one word)

Correct answer: due

Here "due to" is operating attributively after the copular verb "was" — its traditionally most accepted role. Even speakers who prefer the historical attributive/adverbial split agree on "due to" in this slot. The keyword is "due".

Through no of his own, the freelance contractor was left several months out of pocket when the engaging firm went unexpectedly into administration. (one word)

Correct answer: fault

"Through no fault of one's own" is a fixed idiomatic complex-prepositional phrase used to absolve a person of responsibility for a bad outcome. The keyword "fault" is non-substitutable in this fossilised pattern.

Please answer at least one question first.

Found an error in this exercise? Let us know.

Your task

Fill in the gap in each sentence with the correct word or phrase.

0 / 15 answered

Your score

0 / 150%

Keep practising! Focus on the explanations below.

As a of severe overnight weather, the morning ferry service from Aberdeen has been suspended until further notice. (one word)

Correct answer: result

Several inbound flights have been cancelled to industrial action by airport ground staff. (one word)

Correct answer: due

The board meeting had to be brought forward of an unavoidable conflict in the chairman's diary for the original date. (one word)

Correct answer: because

"Because of" is the everyday neutral complex preposition for cause. Note the contrast with the subordinator "because + clause" — different syntax. The two-word "because of" requires a noun phrase.

All deliveries to the village square are being temporarily rerouted account of major resurfacing works on the high street. (one word)

Correct answer: on

The deputy mayor presided over the unveiling ceremony virtue of her statutory role as acting head of council during the official's leave of absence. (one word)

Correct answer: by

to the extraordinary generosity of several local employers, the apprenticeship programme has been able to take on a third intake this year. (one word)

Correct answer: Thanks

Image reproduced of the Northumberland Maritime Archive, with grateful acknowledgement to the curatorial team. (one word)

Correct answer: courtesy

The original case against the defendant was eventually dropped for of any corroborating physical evidence at the scene. (one word)

Correct answer: lack

"For lack of" and "for want of" both introduce the missing element that has caused something not to happen. Both are formal; "for want of" is slightly more literary. Both are accepted here.

In of the most recent intelligence assessments, the proposed travel-advisory wording has been substantially revised by the foreign office. (one word)

Correct answer: light

In of the urgency of the request, an exception will be made to the standard three-week turnaround on this occasion only. (one word)

Correct answer: view

The latest planning application was rejected on the of inadequate provision for the safe management of pedestrian traffic at the proposed entrance. (one word)

Correct answer: grounds

Long-term economic projections for the region are now being revised downward on the of the latest household-spending data from the central bureau. (one word)

Correct answer: basis

As a direct of the cross-border merger, several duplicated middle-management roles in both organisations were inevitably eliminated. (one word)

Correct answer: consequence

The complete collapse of negotiations was almost entirely to the unwillingness of either side to compromise on the central question of governance. (one word)

Correct answer: due

Through no of his own, the freelance contractor was left several months out of pocket when the engaging firm went unexpectedly into administration. (one word)

Correct answer: fault

Please answer at least one question first.

Found an error in this exercise? Let us know.