Because Clauses
Shortening a cause-effect clause
Beginning a sentence
| FULL SENTENCE | SHORTENED CLAUSE | ||
|---|---|---|---|
When because introduces a clause with a subject that is the same as the subject of the main clause, the because-clause can be shortened to a modifying clause. The clause is commonly placed before the main clause (independent clause). |
When the because-clause modifies the subject or the object in the main clause, the adverb because can be omitted and the cause-effect relationship of the modifying clause and the main clause is understood from context. |
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DEPENDENT CLAUSE Because Tom worked so hard,
|
INDEPENDENT CLAUSE he earned a good salary.
|
MODIFYING CLAUSE Working so hard, modifies Tom
|
INDEPENDENT CLAUSE Tom earned a good salary. |
Because Tom needed help, |
he hired an office assistant.
|
Needing help, modifies Tom |
Tom hired an office assistant. |
Ending a sentence
| FULL SENTENCE | SHORTENED CLAUSE | ||
|---|---|---|---|
A modifying because-clause can also be placed after the main sentence if it is clear who or whom is being modified. Look carefully at the independent clause below in which a subject and object occurs. |
It's best to place the clause directly before or after the word it modifies. Note the use of commas below. |
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INDEPENDENT CLAUSE Tom earned a good salary
|
DEPENDENT CLAUSE because he worked so hard. |
INDEPENDENT CLAUSE Tom earned a good salary
|
MODIFYING CLAUSE , working so hard.
Use a comma before a subject-modifying clause that is placed the end of the sentence. |
Tom hired an office assistant |
because he needed help. unclear |
*Tom hired an office assistant |
needing help.
Use no comma for an identifying clause that modifies the object (the closest noun). |
Tom hired an office assistant |
because Tom needed help. |
Tom hired an office assistant PROBLEM: It is unclear who or whom the needs help. |
, needing help.
It's better to move the clause next to the noun being modified. |
BE verbs
| FULL SENTENCE | SHORTENED SENTENCE | ||
|---|---|---|---|
If because introduces a clause with BE verb (and both subjects are the same) the because-clause can be shortened to a clause. Note the events are same-time. |
The because-clause uses the -ing form of BE. The modifying clause is more commonly placed before the main clause. |
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DEPENDENT CLAUSE Because Tom is sick, |
INDEPENDENT CLAUSE he is unable to work. |
MODIFYING CLAUSE Being sick, |
INDEPENDENT CLAUSE Tom is unable to work. |
INDEPENDENT CLAUSE Tom is unable to work |
DEPENDENT CLAUSE because Tom is sick. (same-time events) |
INDEPENDENT CLAUSE Tom is unable to work, |
MODIFYING CLAUSE being sick. |
Common Mistakes
| ERROR | FIX |
|---|---|
*Wearing so little, Elmo seems embarrassed by Katy's dress. Pop-Q "because clause" |
Wearing so little, Katy seems to embarrass Elmo with her skimpy dress |
*Working so hard, she doesn't have to work. |
Because he is working so hard, she doesn't have to work. |
*Yellow highlighting indicates example of incorrect usage.
Because Clauses
Contrasting Past Events
Past Participle Phrases — having verb+ed
| FULL SENTENCE | SHORTENED SENTENCE | ||
|---|---|---|---|
If because introduces a clause with verb (and both subjects are the same) the because-clause can be shortened to a modifying clause . The verb in the because clause may indicate an earlier time or event. |
If the verb in the because clause indicates a time contrast of an earlier event, use a past participle clause – having verb+ed. |
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INDEPENDENT CLAUSE Because Tom had been working so hard , earlier |
INDEPENDENT CLAUSE he needed a vacation. later |
MODIFYING CLAUSE Having worked so hard, earlier |
INDEPENDENT CLAUSE Tom needed a vacation. later |
INDEPENDENT CLAUSE Tom needed a vacation |
DEPENDENT CLAUSE because he had been working so hard. |
INDEPENDENT CLAUSE Tom needed a vacation |
MODIFYING CLAUSE having worked so hard. |
Past Participle BE Phrases — having been
| FULL SENTENCE | SHORTENED SENTENCE | ||
|---|---|---|---|
If because introduces a clause with a subject that is the same as the subject of the result clause, then the because-clause can be shortened. |
If the BE verb in the because clause indicates a time contrast of an mealier event, use a past participle clause – having been. |
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DEPENDENT CLAUSE Because Tom had been ill the night before, |
INDEPENDENT CLAUSE he was unable to work the next day. |
MODIFYING CLAUSE Having been ill, earlier |
INDEPENDENT CLAUSE Tom was unable to work. later |
INDEPENDENT CLAUSE Tom was unable to work |
DEPENDENT CLAUSE because he had been ill the night before. |
INDEPENDENT CLAUSE Tom was unable to work later |
MODIFYING CLAUSE having been ill. earlier |
Practice
Shortening Because-Clauses
- Select a clause that can replace the because-clause if it is possible. Make sure the subject of both sentences is the same.
- Compare your response to the answer on the right by clicking the "check" button.