Published December 10, 2025

Madam Grammar has appeared on my website before. There’s not much doubt she will again someday.

Thinking about the due to/because of “rules” prompted me to feature her today.

Her real name is Lisa McLendon. She runs the Bremner Editing Center at the University of Kansas journalism school. Sometimes she makes editors’ heads explode.

In 2013, she was on fire. When I saw her presentation in person in 2016, she was unwavering. Her “Sweat This, Not That: Real Rules vs. Grammar Myths” shook up a packed conference room in a Portland hotel.

It’s one reason that earlier this year I recommended The Society for Editing and its 2026 conference in Atlanta.

These arguments waste a lot of time and energy that could be spent on things that really matter. Alas, people cling to myths and zombie rules even as language moves on.

I believe in the Lisa McLendons who keep pushing us forward. And I like that the banner on her website reminds me of Ted Lasso’s “Believe” sign.

Many people sweat this. You don’t have to be one of them. As a newspaper consultant said in a meeting I attended long ago, sometimes you have to leave the dullards (and pedants, I’d add) in the dust.

Merriam-Webster, the go-to dictionary for AP, lists one definition of “due to” as “because of.” And it has this to say:

The objection to due to as a preposition is only a continuation of disagreements that began in the 18th century over the proper uses of owing and due. Due to is as grammatically sound as owing to, which is frequently recommended in its place. It has been and is used by reputable writers and has been recognized as standard for decades. There is no solid reason to avoid due to.

Save your energy for the important battles. If you don’t know of any, I can name a few.

Sending love. Protect your peace.

♥

Thank you

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Featured image by Lamai Prasitsuwan via Shutterstock.