Monday, March 8, 2010

Can you start a sentence with because?

A frequently asked question from my grammar classes is this one: Can you start a sentence with because? The short answer is, yes, if you make sure it is in fact a complete sentence. The longer answer is not an answer, but a question: where did you get the idea that you could not?

First, the short answer. You can start a sentence with because, as long as you make sure to fully complete the sentence. One clause beginning with the word because does not constitute a sentence. These are fragments:

*Because the newspapers reported it.*
*Because the river ran dry.*

If you follow the clause beginning with because with a complete independent clause, however, you are in business. These are complete sentences:

Because the newspapers reported it, the neighbors believed it.
Because the river ran dry, the dam would no longer provide electricity.

Now, the long answer. My theory as to why so many people think you cannot start a sentence with because is that school teachers use this “rule” to help students avoid writing fragments like the ones in asterisks above. You may find this rule useful yourself if you are prone to this error. Thus, if you do not allow yourself to start a sentence with because, you will automatically correct fragments beginning with because.

You might correct this fragment:

*Because I said so.*

By creating this complete sentence:

The children stayed inside this afternoon because I said so.

You may also correct fragments like the ones in asterisks above by rewriting so that because is not at the beginning:

The neighbors believed the story because the newspaper reported it.
The dam would no longer provide electricity because the river ran dry.

*Asterisks indicate a grammatically incorrect sentence.

93 comments:

Anonymous said...

It was all nice. I even got some explanation i didn't expect. Keep it up guys.

www.gofastek.com

mysanthropist said...

I do agree with this article, yet it is so strange to find the Cambridge Publication "American English in Mind" state the following grammar rule: *Why...? Because...

vikrant deshmukh said...

Hi I loved your blog but is it appropriate to start a sentence using a conjunction. Are the rules any different in spoken English and written English

Unknown said...

If you haven't already noticed, Correct Sentence Structure Checker is already available for several years and it offers important advantages for anyone who writes in English. 
See more sentence structure checker

David Johnathan said...

I personally like your post, you have shared good article. It will help me in great deal.
ASP Assignment Help

David Johnathan said...

Really i appreciate the effort you made to share the knowledge. 
assignment help

Sharon Wood said...

Norton Phone Number
Mcafee Customer Support
Avast Antivirus Support Phone Number
Malwarebytes Support Phone Number

mahdi said...

i found this page from google and im happy because is good article
اهنگ جدید هوروش بند
هوروش بند
تابان موزیک

mahdi said...

i found this page from google and im happy because is good article
دانلود آهنگ جدید علی یاسینی
علی یاسینی
اهنگ های جدید

Erin Moses said...

Contact mozilla
Contact microsoft outlook
Comcast support telephone number
Norton chat support

aryanoone said...

Thanks for sharing such a nice Blog.I like it.
activate my norton antivirus
mcafee com activate total protection
avg tech support phone number
microsoft edge customer service

AllHelplineNumber said...

If you have any concerns related to Kodak products like PC, laptop, printers, scanners etc. Feel more comfortable ordering by telephone; please call us toll-free at 1-855-499-1999. Speak with KODAK technical experts who provide instant solution for all your Kodak issues over the phone call and by chat process and emails. All our experts provide helping hand to all Kodak customers and assist them the best possible solution at a very minimal cost at Kodak Printer Support Number.
Kodak Printer Support Number

Dale Morris said...

Yahoo Mail Customer Service

ava said...

Wiktionary has grown beyond a standard dictionary and now includes a thesaurus, a rhyme guide, phrase books, language statistics and extensive appendices. We aim to include not only the definition of a word, but also enough information to really understand it. Thus etymologies, pronunciations, sample quotations, synonyms, antonyms and translations are included. - دانلود آهنگ

ava said...

Thank you for this post - محسن چاوشی

ava said...

That is a great tip especially to those new to the blogosphere.

Simple but very precise information… Appreciate your sharing this one.
A must read post! - بهنام بانی

ava said...

Thank You - دانلود فیلم تگزاس 2

ava said...

Spectrum TV App for Windows is the best choice for watching live tv shows. this app made by united states and other countries. The spectrum TV app is available for the Android device and iOS devices. nowadays this a most popular in worldwide. - https://nex1music.ir/آهنگ-حمید-صفت-شاه-کش/

ava said...

Thank you for this post - علیرضا پویا حیف

ava said...

I was after a few lines of code where the server would automatically escape/filter POST data before inserting into database. It turns out that mysql_add_slashes() does the job but it causes more problems than anything and it is not advisable to use this function and it has been discontinued since PHP 6.0 - دانلود فیلم برگ جان

ava said...

Thank you for this post - https://nex1music.ir/cinema/دانلود-فیلم-تگزاس-2/

ava said...

Thank You - آهنگ جدید

ava said...

Thank you for this post - https://nex1music.ir/tag/پازل-بند/

ava said...

That is a great tip especially to those new to the blogosphere.

Simple but very precise information… Appreciate your sharing this one.
A must read post! - https://nex1music.ir/tag/محمدرضا-گلزار/

ava said...

Thank you for this post - آرون افشار چال گونه

sara said...

I was after a few lines of code where the server would automatically escape/filter POST data before inserting into database. It turns out that mysql_add_slashes() does the job but it causes more problems than anything and it is not advisable to use this function and it has been discontinued since PHP 6.0 - دانلود فیلم زندانی ها

amc stars said...

ابزار وبلاگ نویسی
کد جستجوگر گوگل برای وبلاگ



تعبیر خواب | tabire khab

دانلود فیلم ایرانی | فیلم ایرانی

amc stars said...

دانلود فیلم ایرانی | فیلم ایرانی
ifunsite
عکس پروفایل

تاریخ امروز ایران
رپورتاژ آگهی

amc stars said...

دانلود فیلم مطرب



دانلود فیلم مطرب دانلود فیلم مطرب دانلود فیلم مطرب

دانلود فیلم مطرب دانلود فیلم مطرب دانلود فیلم مطرب

ava said...


That is a great tip especially to those new to the blogosphere.

Simple but very precise information… Appreciate your sharing this one.
A must read post! - امین بانی

amc stars said...

Thanks  It was useful and practical دانلود فیلم چشم و گوش بسته
http://www.codetools.ir/eyes-ears-movie.html

amc stars said...

Thanks دانلود فیلم زیر نظر
http://www.codetools.ir/watched-movie.html

ava said...


Thank You - دانلود فیلم غلامرضا تختی

ava said...

Wiktionary has grown beyond a standard dictionary and now includes a thesaurus, a rhyme guide, phrase books, language statistics and
extensive appendices. We aim to include not only the definition of a word, but also enough information to really understand it.
Thus etymologies, pronunciations, sample quotations, synonyms, antonyms and translations
are included. - فیلم قسم

Unknown said...

دانلود آهنگ غمگین جدید

ava said...

Thank you for this post - آهنگ جدید امین بانی

ava said...


That is a great tip especially to those new to the blogosphere.

Simple but very precise information… Appreciate your sharing this one.
A must read post! - آهنگ جدید فرزاد فرزین

ava said...


That is a great tip especially to those new to the blogosphere.

Simple but very precise information… Appreciate your sharing this one.
A must read post! - عماد طالب زاده واست میره دلم

amc stars said...

عکس پروفایل
رپورتاژ آگهی
تاریخ امروز
عکس پروفایل

amc stars said...

عکس پروفایل
عکس
عکس پروفایل خاص

ava said...


Spectrum TV App for Windows is the best choice for watching live tv shows. this app made by united states and other countries. The spectrum TV app is available for the Android device and iOS devices. nowadays this a most popular in worldwide. - دانلود قسمت جدید دومینو

ava said...


I was after a few lines of code where the server would automatically escape/filter POST data before inserting into database. It turns out that mysql_add_slashes() does the job but it causes more problems than anything and it is not advisable to use this function and it has been discontinued since PHP 6.0 - دانلود سریال هم گناه

ava said...

I was after a few lines of code where the server would automatically escape/filter POST data before inserting into database. It turns out that mysql_add_slashes() does the job but it causes more problems than anything and it is not advisable to use this function and it has been discontinued since PHP 6.0 - دانلود فیلم کروکودیل

ava said...

Thank You - دانلود فیلم مطرب

ava said...

That is a great tip especially to those new to the blogosphere.
Simple but very precise information… Appreciate your sharing this one.
A must read post! - دانلود فیلم کلوپ همسران

ava said...

That is a great tip especially to those new to the blogosphere.
Simple but very precise information… Appreciate your sharing this one.A must read post! - دانلود فیلم دخمه

ava said...

Thank you for this post - دانلود فیلم ایده اصلی

ava said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jaswal Gupta said...

Everything is very open with a really clear description of the challenges. It was really informative. Your site is useful. Thank you for sharing KBC Official Website

ava said...


Thank you for this post - دانلود فیلم مردی بدون سایه

ava said...



Thank you for this post - دانلود فیلم آرمانشهر

sara said...

thanks for this post

دانلود آهنگ نگار رضا بهرام

ava said...


Spectrum TV App for Windows is the best choice for watching live tv shows. this app made by united states and other countries. T
he spectrum TV app is available for the Android device and iOS devices.
nowadays this a most popular in worldwide. - دانلود فیلم هجوم

ava said...


I was after a few lines of code where the server would automatically escape/filter POST data before inserting into database.
It turns out that mysql_add_slashes() does the job but it causes more problems than anything and it is not advisable to use this function and it has
been discontinued since PHP 6.0 - دانلود سریال هم گناه

ava said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
ava said...


That is a great tip especially to those new to the blogosphere.

Simple but very precise information… Appreciate your sharing this one.
A must read post! - دانلود آهنگ جدید حمید هیراد

ava said...


I was after a few lines of code where the server would automatically escape/filter POST data before inserting into database. It turns out that
mysql_add_slashes() does the job but it causes more problems than anything and it is not advisable to use this function and it has been
discontinuedsince PHP 6.0 - دانلود آهنگ جدید محسن ابراهیم زاده

ava said...


Spectrum TV App for Windows is the best choice for watching live tv shows. this app made by united states and other
countries. The spectrum TV app is available for the Android device and iOS devices. nowadays this a most popular in
worldwide. - دانلود آهنگ جدید

ava said...




That is a great tip especially to those new to the blogosphere.

Simple but very precise information… Appreciate your sharing this one.
A must read post! - دانلود آهنگ جدید سعید آسایش

Elahe said...

خرید پچ کورد فیبر نوری

amc stars said...

tanx nice post and good luck
چگونه باسنی بزرگی داشته باشیم

admin said...

Smadav Antivirus Rev 14.4 is one of the most effective neighborhood anti-viruses that can be tape-recorded to maintain our computer from attacks of different infections or malware that is fairly annoying. Although this antivirus is an antivirus made by children in the nation, however the ability to keep our computer or laptop is also rather great. Smadav 2021 for Windows is called extremely light, also you will certainly not really feel install anvitivirus on your computer.

amc stars said...

Keep on writing, great job!
خرید بلیط هواپیما خرید بلیط هواپیما  خرید بلیط هواپیما خرید بلیط هواپیما خرید بلیط هواپیما خرید بلیط هواپیما

amc stars said...

Great article! We will be linking to this great article on our website. Keep up the good writing.
دانلود کتاب مدیریت منابع انسانی دکتر آرین قلی پور
دانلود کتاب مدیریت منابع انسانی دکتر آرین قلی پور
دانلود کتاب مدیریت منابع انسانی دکتر آرین قلی پور
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/586664288959547280/

amc stars said...

Great article! We will be linking to this great article on our website. Keep up the good writing.
جزوه بازاریابی و مدیریت بازار پیشرفته
http://www.codetools.ir/p/marketing-management

ava said...



That is a great tip especially to those new to the blogosphere.

Simple but very precise information… Appreciate your sharing this one.
A must read post! - دانلود آهنگ جدید راغب

Ms Payal said...

You can book call girl in Guwahati or escort Service in Guwahati for incall facility
or outcall Facility as and when required.To book Guwahati call girls you
can visit the following links
Guwahati escorts
Guwahati escorts

sevda said...

thank you.امیر تلو عکسات دارم

ava said...





I was after a few lines of code where the server would automatically escape/filter POST data before inserting into database.
It turns out that mysql_add_slashes() does the job but it causes more problems than anything and it
is not advisable to use this function and it has been discontinued
since PHP 6.0 - دانلود آهنگ جدید رضا شیری

MR.M said...

دانلود آهنگ
https://www.4x4brasil.com.br/forum/redirect-to/?redirect=https://naslemusic.com
http://znaigorod.ru/away?to=https://naslemusic.com
http://www.friscowebsites.com/Redirect.aspx?destination=https://naslemusic.com
https://galex.ru/bitrix/rk.php?goto=https://naslemusic.com
https://games4ever.3dn.ru/go?https://naslemusic.com
http://www.highpoint.net/asp/adredir.asp?url=https://naslemusic.com
http://ved-service.com/go.php?url=https://naslemusic.com
https://sitereport.netcraft.com/?url=https://naslemusic.com
http://ranking.crawler.com/SiteInfo.aspx?url=https://naslemusic.com
https://www.rssnews.it/php_odp/go.php?url=https://naslemusic.com
https://www.export.org.au/Redirect.aspx?destination=https://naslemusic.com
https://www.sogou.com/link?url=6IqLFeTuIyioimdUXk4XxQ6udZ7KRP5Q
https://t.co/JEkjW9yEOZ

amc stars said...


tanx for post
عکس پروفایل شاد عکس پروفایل زیبا عکس پروفایل غمگین عکس پروفایل عاشقانه عکس نوشته عکس پروفایل خاص
عکس پروفایل دخترونه
عکس پروفایل خفن
https://www.codetools.ir/photos.html

megashart said...

ثبت نام در سایت بت فوروارد

melbet سایت

سایت مگاشرط

Fubo.tv/Activate-code said...

As you are changing to a newer TV service, you might don’t know much about FuboTV. So, we are here to help you with that. you can connect to the page by clicking on fubo.tv/activate, as we mentioned earlier. On the log in page, the code will appear that you need for the service activation. fubo.tv/activate

bazienfejar said...

سایت بازی انفجار

1xbet said...

1xbet giriş 2023

1xbet said...

1xbet

معتبر ترین سایت شرط بندی جهان said...

سایت های شرط بندی فوتبال خارجی

pdfbama1 said...

دکتاب آن سوی مرگ pdf


دانلود رایگان pdf کتاب روانشناسی پرورشی نوین دکتر سیف


کتابخانه نیمه شب pdf


دانلود رایگان کتاب تاریخ تحلیلی اسلام محمد نصیری ویراست دوم pdf


کتاب مدیریت رفتار سازمانی زهرا برومند pdf

Unknown said...

فایل برو


pdf کتاب مصباح سپاه


pdf کتاب زبان تخصصی شهاب اناری جلد اول



دانلود کتاب اندیشه اسلامی 1 مبدا و معاد pdf


پول و ارز و بانکداری pdf



دانلود رایگان قدرت شروع ناقص pdf



پول و ارز و بانکداری pdf یوسف فرجی



پول و ارز و بانکداری pdf


تفسیر موضوعی قرآن pdf


تفسیر موضوعی قرآن pdf

psfsara said...

pdf کتاب زبان تخصصی شهاب اناری جلد اول
اصطلاحات معماری به زبان انگلیسی pdf


pdf کتاب استاندارد نهایی زبان زینعلی


کتاب فتوشاپ pdf
کالبد شکافی چهار انقلاب pdf
پی دی اف کتاب فتوشاپ

psfsara said...

دیداکتیک pdf


کتاب حرکت تاریخی کرد به خراسان pdf


حمید دهنوی
تمرین های اختلال یادگیری

psfsara said...

کتاب بابک سادات
سرفصل های ریاضی تجربی


معادلات دیفرانسیل مرتبه اول pdf


نمونه سوالات ساختمان داده مقسمی


درآمدی بر روانشناسی زبان pdf

prozhecart said...

prozhecart
روانشناسی عمومی pdf

prozhecart said...

prozhecart
دانلود کتاب معرفت شناسی pdf

prozhecart said...

پروژه کارت
دانلود رایگان کتاب پنج گنج ادبیات مهروماه

prozhecart said...

تاریخ فرهنگ و تمدن اسلام و ایران pdf
کتاب گزینش pdf

prozhecart said...

مسیر پیامبری pdf
کتاب دستیار دندانپزشک جهاد دانشگاهی pdf

prozhecart said...

پی دی اف اخلاق حرفه ای با جواب
متن کامل کتاب سه دقیقه در قیامت

prozhecart said...

دانلود کتاب درآمدی بر فقه سیاسی عباسعلی زنجانی

پکیج کامل جزوه های رشته تربیت بدنی pdf

prozhecart said...

دانلود پکیج کامل جزوه های رشته زیست شناسی pdf

پکیج کامل جزوه های رشته مهندسی مواد pdf

prozhecart said...

دانلود کتاب تاریخ ادبیات یونان ابراهیم یونسی

پکیج کامل جزوه های رشته شیمی pdf

prozhecart said...

شیوه های نو ادبیات جهان هفتاد سخن جلد 4 پرویز خانلری pdf


ذهن نا آرام pdf

Anonymous said...

Your question highlights the importance of understanding the context and structure of sentences. By doing so, you are demonstrating a keen awareness of the nuances of language.best seo services in gwalior