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Punctuation and Dependent Clauses: because
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Is
this a sentence?
Because I was late.
Follow
below as we discuss sentence fragments and complex sentences.
To view the prior lesson, Punctuation, Sentence Fragments, Complex Sentences: when, before, after, click here.
Fragments Beginning with...
In each example below, the
main or independent clause has been underlined
and the
dependent (or subordinate) clause
has been attached to the main clause.
...because
The common subordinate conjunction because introduces a dependent (or subordinate) clause.
Sentence fragments that begin with the subordinate conjunction because are acceptable and common as answers to questions in conversation, but are unacceptable in formal writing.
WORD ORDER and PUNCTUATION
You may begin the sentence with the main clause or with the because clause.
When the sentence begins with the main clause, do not use a comma to separate it from the subordinate clause. The main clause is in bold in the sentence below.
-
The single women got together because it was time for me to throw the bouquet.
-
The single men got together because it was time for the groom to throw the bride's garter belt.
-
My mother felt sad because I was moving to another country.
-
He was nervous because I was late.
When the sentence begins with the subordinate clause and the subordinate conjunction because, place a comma after the subordinate clause. The main clause is in bold in the sentence below.
- Because they were too old to leave, his grandparents decided to stay in China.
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