Which of the following sentences is correctly formed?

The correct answer is Option (1) → Because of the heavy traffic near the toll plaza, we missed the opening song of the concert.

“Because of” + noun:

• “Because of” is followed by a noun or a noun phrase, not by a full clause.
• Here Because of the heavy traffic near the toll plaza is a noun phrase. It has no verb of its own, so it is joined to the main part with a comma.

Why the Other Options are Incorrect?

Option 2: Because the heavy traffic near the toll plaza, we missed the opening song of the concert. — Incorrect. The option says “Because the heavy traffic”. “Because” alone needs a full clause with a verb. Before a noun phrase we need “because of”.

Option 3: Because of the traffic was heavy near the toll plaza, we missed the opening song of the concert. — Incorrect. The option says “Because of the traffic was heavy”. “Because of” cannot take a full clause with its own verb “was”.

Option 4: Because of the heavy traffic near the toll plaza, so we missed the opening song of the concert. — Incorrect. “Because of” already gives the reason. Adding “so” before the main part is wrong.