Language point

Example 1: A British student who lost her memory because of a severe brain disease

has earned a degree in psychology.

Example 2: 'My mum would drive me to lectures and sit outside in the car because I was finding small things like finding my way around and understanding directions difficult.'

'Because' is a very common word. It states the reason for something.

For example, 'I want to see Collateral because I like Tom Cruise a lot.'

Take a look at Examples 1 and 2: both use the word 'because', however, one is followed by 'of' while the other is not. We use 'because of' when the reason that follows is a noun or noun phrase.