Back in the mists of time (at school), I remember having the difference between ‘owing to’ and ‘due to’ explained quite clearly. I raise the distinction because the shorter-to-print and quicker-to-say ’due to’ seems to be driving ‘owing to’ close to extinction. Have you seen many signs using ‘owing to’ recently?
My English teacher said that one way of helping decide which one to use is to substitute ‘owing to’ with ‘because of’ and to replace ‘due to’ with ‘caused by’.
Examples:
The train was late owing to (because of) rain. Quite nice.
The train was late due to (caused by) rain. Not so nice.
The late arrival was due to (caused by) rain. Quite nice.
The late arrival was owing to (because of) rain. Not quite so nice.
Owing to (because of ) rain, the match was cancelled. Quite nice.
Due to (caused by) rain, the match was cancelled. Not nice.
Does it matter any more now that the expressions seem interchangeable? After all, using ‘due to’ doesn’t materially change the meaning. And as long as everyone knows what is meant, why go on about it?
I do so for the sake of a little more variety, a tad more elegance – and owing to an abiding affection for a great English teacher.
Dear Barry, Please realise that we are all counting on you to stand tall in ongoing efforts to maintain standards of elegance in the English language. We are lucky, owing to the numerous influences on our language, to have these kinds of nuances to play with in our speech and in writing. So many other languages lack the richness of expression that we often take for granted. I am happy to see that, due to the diligence and enthusiasm of your teacher, you do not.
Claire x
😉
Thank you Claire. I appreciate that if one is to be a bit of a pedant, one has to be a whole lot more realistic about language change; a little like Canute sitting on his throne not to show that he could stop the tide coming in but that he couldn’t. Your ‘due to’ made me laugh out loud! Every good wish. Barry
Hi Barry,
This post is helpful. I can’t recall whether I needed to use either in my present Wip. The examples you give are so clear.
Owing to your examples I will, in the future, be ever diligent.
All best,
Bren