These two expressions are used to introduce causes or justifications, but they differ in their connotation and context of use.
En Raison De
Used to express an objective and justifiable cause or reason.
- Les matchs ont été annulés en raison de la pluie. (The matches were canceled due to the rain.)
- Elle a pris un jour de congé en raison de maladie. (She took a day off due to illness.)
Sous Prétexte De
Indicates a justification that may conceal true motives, often used to express doubt about the sincerity of the stated reason.
- Il a refusé de nous aider, sous prétexte de fatigue. (He refused to help us under the pretext of being tired.)
- Elle évite la réunion, sous prétexte de rendez-vous important. (She is avoiding the meeting under the pretext of an important appointment.)
Comparison and Nuances
"En raison de" evokes a legitimate and indisputable justification, while "sous prétexte de" can suggest that the given reason is not the true cause of the action or decision, thus introducing a nuance of skepticism or criticism.