Because of vs Because poison

[ayushiiitm]

I am always confused with the usage of because vs because of

Could anybody lay down some rules here

[ayushiiitm]

Ill like to throw in a example here.

I think in the course of solving it, we can find the difference between because and because of

btw i got to know that 'because of' modifies verbs

source: https://www.manhattangmat.com/forums/due ... t3081.html

If we apply the same rule in the example that i have attached what does 'because of' modifies>> diminishing or ability (diminishing is the present participle, but present participle can be part of verb. Right?)

OA later