ため vs せいで

One of these two sentences is apparently wrong. Can anyone say why? Is it that せいで and させていただきます are incompatible?

悪天候のせいで、本日の野外写生会は延期させていただきます。

悪天候のため、本日の野外写生会は延期させていただきます。

3 comments
  1. Yes, they are incompatible.

    You could say that 悪天候のせいで、本日の野外写生会は延期になりました, blaming the bad weather for the postponement, but you can’t use せいで for talking about your reasons for doing something.

  2. “せいで” is a negative word used when you are more emotional.
    It’s also a word used when you want to blame it.

    「おまえのせいで、仕事が出来ない」
    「上司が自分の事を公平に評価してくれないせいで、私は昇給出来ない」
    「お父さんが寝坊したせいで、遊園地に行けなくなった」

    Basically, I don’t use it in official announcements or formal situations.

  3. The way i tend to think of these in usage is のため is “on behalf of” or “for the purpose of”. Whereasのせいで would be used in contexts of “it is the fault of …” Or “because (negative connotation) of …” Or “… Is the consequence of
    ..”

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