1. I rose through the ranks because of my skill with a sword. 2. I rose through the ranks because OF my skill with the sword. BOTH are correct. 1. Most commonly used - you were promoted because you were talented with using a sword. 2. In this example, "the" emphasizes that your specific talent with the sword is what made you promotable as compared to any other skills you might have.

Thanks a lot and Sorry, there was a typo in the second one.

Hey Kai, perhaps you are questioning the use of the article a sword or the sword. In this case 'a sword' is correct. But in some expressions you will see 'the sword' being used such as 'he who lives by the sword dies by the sword,' and 'the pen is mightier than the sword.' I suppose it's because here 'sword' and indeed 'the pen' refer to concepts rather than the things themselves. I don't suppose that will help you much to form a rule in your mind. The easiest thing is to use 'the' for things previously specified...as I'm sure you already know.

IF - (introducing a conditional clause) on the condition or supposition that; in the event that. "if you have a complaint, write to the director" OF - expressing the relationship between a part and a whole BECAUSE OF - on account of; by reason of. So the first sentence is the correct one:)

Hi Kai! The second (“because if”) is incorrect.