Thanks to … (positive)
gratitude / favorable cause
Open details
Form: N + の + おかげで ／ V-普通形 + おかげで
Use when: A brought about a good result B; often with people’s help, luck, conditions.
Contrast: negative result → 〜せいで.
Avoid: using for your own achievement in a bragging way; keep the tone thankful.
Because of … (negative)
blame/undesirable result
Open details
Form: N + の + せいで ／ V-普通形 + せいで
Use when: A is (blamed as) the reason for a bad result B.
Nuance: accusatory; soften with 〜せいか when uncertain.
Due to … (formal cause)
objective reason in notices/news
Open details
Form: N + の + ため（に）／ V-普通形 + ため（に）
Use when: state a cause leading to B; formal/objective tone.
Contrast: “purpose” 〜ために (in order to) is different; here it’s the reason.
From the fact that …
infer/judge/name based on A
Open details
Form: V-普通形／i-adj／na-adj + な／N + である + ことから、B
Use when: from fact A, conclude/assume/name B; formal/expository.
Avoid: commands/requests as B.
Caused by … (report style)
objective/large-scale causes
Open details
Form: N + によって／により／による + N
Use when: describe cause in news/reports (disasters, policies, phenomena).
Contrast: everyday personal reason → 〜ので／〜から／〜ために is more natural.
1) 〜おかげで — thanks to … (positive result)
Express gratitude: A brought about a good/desired B. Can be humble/polite.
Form: N + の + おかげで ／ V-普通形 + おかげで Note: ironic use exists but is advanced.
Thanks to my teacher, I passed.
Because we left early, we avoided the traffic jam.
Thanks to the good weather, the filming went smoothly.
2) 〜せいで — because of … (blame/negative)
Use to attribute an undesirable result B to cause A. Slightly blaming in tone.
Form: N + の + せいで ／ V-普通形 + せいで Softener: 〜せいか (maybe because)
I was late to the meeting because I overslept.
The road is crowded because of construction.
きのう
I feel unwell because I overdid it yesterday.
3) 〜ために（原因） — due to … (formal cause)
Formal/objective “because.” Common in notices/news. Not purpose here.
Form: N + の + ため（に）／ V-普通形 + ため（に）
Contrast: purpose = “in order to” (V-辞書形 + ために)
Due to the typhoon, the event was canceled.
The train was delayed because of an accident.
システム
Applications are suspended due to a system failure.
Check: If “in order to” fits, it’s purpose, not cause. Ex) 合格するために 勉強する (purpose).
4) 〜ことから — from this fact, conclude/name …
Use facts/evidence A to draw conclusion B, or explain origin of a name. Formal/written.
Form: V-普通形／i-adj／na-adj + な／N + である + ことから、B
Typical B: 〜と 分 かる／判断 した／考 えられる／〜と 呼 ばれる
From the footprints, it is considered the animal came at night.
この
Because of its beautiful view, this slope is called “Miharashi-zaka.”
Given the evidence is insufficient, we shouldn’t rush to a conclusion.
5) 〜によって（原因） — caused by … (report/news tone)
Objective cause in reports; often with disasters, policies, social phenomena.
Form: N + によって／により ／ による + N
Also: “by means of / depending on / agent (passive)” are other uses; here = cause.
Many houses were damaged due to the earthquake.
Business hours were shortened by the new rules.
Conflicts caused by misunderstandings should be avoided.
Naturalness: *寝坊によって遅刻した* sounds stiff; prefer 〜ので／〜から／〜せいで in daily talk.
Quick contrasts & pitfalls
- おかげで（＋） vs せいで（−）: attitude flips. Keep おかげで thankful, せいで can sound blaming.
- ために（原因） = formal “because”. Don’t confuse with purpose ために (“in order to”).
- ことから → conclusion/judgment/naming; B is rarely a command/request.
- によって（原因） fits news-style, large-scale or objective causes; everyday excuses sound unnatural with it.
- ので/から vs ために: ので = gentle explanation; から = personal reason; ために = formal/objective.
