What it means
ばかりに expresses an undesirable result caused by one specific fact or action, with the nuance of “simply because” or “just because.” It often shows regret, blame, or the speaker’s feeling that the result was unfairly severe. It follows a plain verb, an い-adjective, a な-adjective with な, or a noun with である. The result is commonly negative, although the construction itself does not grammatically require a negative expression.
Usage note
ばかりに is not normally used for a neutral or beneficial cause. Do not confuse it with ばかり meaning “only” or “just finished”; in this construction, the entire preceding clause is presented as the regrettable cause.
How to use it
私は新人であるばかりに、重要な仕事を任せてもらえませんでした。
Simply because I was a newcomer, I was not entrusted with important work.
私は不器用なばかりに、発表で失敗しました。
Simply because I was clumsy, I failed in the presentation.
私は若いばかりに、経験不足だと思われました。
Simply because I was young, I was considered inexperienced.
私は注意を怠ったばかりに、重大な事故を招きました。
Simply because I neglected caution, I caused a serious accident.
私は新人であるばかりに、重要な仕事を任せてもらえなかった。
Simply because I was a newcomer, I was not entrusted with important work.
私は不器用なばかりに、発表で失敗した。
Simply because I was clumsy, I failed in the presentation.
私は若いばかりに、経験不足だと思われた。
Simply because I was young, I was considered inexperienced.
私は注意を怠ったばかりに、重大な事故を招いた。
Simply because I neglected caution, I caused a serious accident.
Example sentences
一度も海外で暮らした経験がないばかりに、面接で英語の質問に答えられず、希望していた部署に配属されなかった。
Simply because I had never lived abroad, I could not answer the questions in English at the interview and was not assigned to the department I had hoped for.
確認を怠ったばかりに、契約書の重要な誤