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Help the baffled detective complete the report on the world's clumsiest art heist by selecting the correct words.
_________________________ the getaway car had a flat tire, the thieves decided to take the city bus. The police caught them easily _________________________ they paid the bus driver with the stolen ancient coins. The judge denied them bail, _________________________ they were still wearing their ski masks in the courtroom.
Since the getaway car had a flat tire, the thieves decided to take the city bus.
"Since" is a subordinating conjunction that introduces a full adverb clause of reason (subject + verb). "Because of" and "due to" are prepositions that must be followed by a noun phrase.
The police caught them easily because they paid the bus driver with the stolen ancient coins.
"Because" introduces the full clause explaining the reason. "Because of" and "due to" are incorrect because they are followed by a full clause here, not a noun phrase.
The judge denied them bail, as they were still wearing their ski masks in the courtroom.
"As" functions just like "because" or "since" to introduce an adverb clause of reason.