Sentence Correction

Because an oversupply of computer chips has sent
prices plunging, the manufacturer has announced that
it will cut production by closing its factories for two
days a month.
(A) Because an oversupply of computer chips has
sent prices plunging,
(B) Because of plunging prices for computer chips,
which is due to an oversupply,
(C) Because computer chip prices have been sent
plunging, which resulted from an oversupply,
(D) Due to plunging computer chip prices from an
oversupply,
(E) Due to an oversupply, with the result that
computer chip prices have been sent plunging,


This is from OG 12/13.What I want to clarify is the difference between "Due to" and "Because".
How can I eliminate D on the basis of this difference?
In OG it is eliminated on the basis of causal sequence of events.Does that mean "Due to" can replace "Because". Is it applicable all the times or there is some thumbrule?

Hi Rich,

Can you also explain if the use of "Due to" is correct if it were not in passive voice?
I know that in cases where we can replace "Due to" by "Caused by/Attributed to" we should go with Due to otherwise "Because of" will be more correct.So , do we have such a case here as well?
What I want to know is the preference for Because or Due to.

Thanks!

"Due to" functions as an adjectival phrase and is used to modify a noun (e.g., His failure was due to his laziness.). "Because of" functions as an adverbial phrase and is used to modify
a verb or verb phrase (e.g., He failed because of his laziness.).

'because of' answers WHY questions:

sample 1-'Because of his intolerant attitude, that politician always seems to be attacking the poor.'
Why does the politician seem to be attacking the poor?
>> because of his intolerant attitude



'due to' answers WHAT questions:

sample 1-'The team's win today was due to better conditioning'
What was the cause of the team's win today?
Also, try to replace due to with "caused by"


Here in this question, usage of because of is better . Reason being it answers WHY-> Why Manufacturers are closing their stores (because oversupply is causing a downfall in the prices)

a post o n this topic by e gmat instructors :
https://gmatclub.com/forum/due-to-vs-bec ... 40393.html



In conversational English, we may hear or use sentences in which we present reason for something by using the expression "due to". While in certain cases, this usage may be grammatically correct.
But in certain other scenarios, it is incorrect. In this post, I will discuss these scenarios. Through this discussion, I will also explain the following question & answer:
Q: Can 'due to' and 'because of' be used interchangeably?
A: No. 'due to' is used to modify nouns only. 'Because of' is used to modify verbs. Thus, these two expressions cannot be used interchangeably.
WHAT IS "DUE TO" USED FOR?

RULE 1: The expression 'due to' can only be used to modify nouns. Thus, you cannot use this expression to present reason for an action in the clause.Incorrect use of 'due to'In sentence 1, use of 'due to' is incorrect because it is used to explain 'why it is cold'. In other words, it is used to explain the reason behind the "verb" or "action" in the clause. This is not idiomatically correct.Correct Usage of 'due to'In sentence 2, use of 'due to' is correct because it is used to explain the reason behind 'the cold wave'. In other words, it is used to explain the reason behind the "noun". This is idiomatically correct.
RULE 2: 'Due to' is correct if the sentence makes sense when you replace 'due to' with 'caused by'. If, it does not, then use of 'due to' is not correct.
Here when 'due to' is replaced with 'caused by', the sentence does not make sense. This check also proves that usage of 'due to' is incorrect.'due to' replaced with 'caused by'Here when 'due to' is replaced with 'caused by', the sentence makes complete sense. This check proves that usage of 'due to' is correct.
WHAT IS "BECAUSE OF" USED FOR?

Rule 3: The expression 'because of' is used to modify entire clauses. Thus, you can use this expression to present reason for an action in the clause.
Sentence 1 above can be corrected by replacing 'due to' with 'because of'. Now 'because of' modifies the clause presenting the reason why it is cold in Arizona.Correct use of Because of
WHAT ARE CORRECT AND INCORRECT USAGES OF 'DUE TO', 'CAUSED BY',& 'BECAUSE OF"?

The parent-teacher meeting was canceled due to heavy rains. - INCORRECT
'Due to' modifies the action in the preceding clause and hence is not used correctly.
The parent-teacher meeting was canceled caused by heavy rains. - INCORRECT
Note how when "due to" is replaced with "caused by", the sentence no longer makes sense.
The parent-teacher meeting was canceled because of heavy rains. - CORRECT
'because of' modifies the action in preceding clause, indicating why the meeting was canceled.
The cancellation of parent-teacher meeting was due to heavy rains. - CORRECT
'Due to' modifies the noun - cancellation.
The cancellation of parent-teacher meeting was caused by heavy rains.- CORRECT
Note how when "due to" is replaced with "caused by", the sentence makes complete sense.
HOW DOES GMAT TEST THIS CONCEPT?

In OG12, Question 6 tests the usage of "due to". In the original sentence, 'due to' used incorrectly. Since 'due to' is used to modify nouns, the sentence nonsensically implies that repair was due to the moisture.
WHAT ARE THE KEY TAKE-AWAY MESSAGES?

Use 'due to' only to modify nouns.
Usage of 'due to' is correct, if the sentence makes sense when 'due to' is replaced with 'caused by'.
Use 'because of' to modify verbs.
'Due to' & 'because of' are not interchangeable.
OFFICIAL SENTENCES (EXERCISES)

Given this framework, let's solve these official questions. But before we give the detailed solution from the standpoint of "due to", "because of", and "because", we want you to take a stab at these. Give us your rationale for making your selection of the correct answer. Be sure to provide a detailed analysis at least for "due to" aspect of the question.
OG12#6

In late 1997, the chambers inside the pyramid of the Pharaoh Menkaure at Giza were closed to visitors for cleaning and repairing due to moisture exhaled by tourists, which raised its humidity to such levels so that salt from the stone was crystallizing and fungus was growing in the walls.
due to moisture exhaled by tourists, which raised its humidity to such levels so that salt from the stone was crystallizing
due to moisture that tourists had exhaled, thereby raising its humidity to such levels that salt from the stone would crystallize
because tourists were exhaling moisture, which had raised the humidity within then to levels such that salt from the stone would crystallize
because of moisture that was exhaled by tourists raising the humidity within them to levels so high as to make the salt from the stone crystallize
because moisture exhaled by tourists had raised the humidity within them to such levels that salt from the stone was crystallizing
GMATPREP

It seems likely that a number of astronomical phenomena, such as the formation of planetary nebulas, may be caused by the interaction where two stars orbit each other at close range.
may be caused by the interaction where two stars orbit each other
may be caused by the interaction between two stars that each orbit the other
are because of the interaction between two stars that orbit each other
are caused by the interaction of two stars where each is orbiting the other
are caused by the interaction of two stars orbiting each other