Grammar-Quizzes › Connectors › Connective Prepositions › Because
Because (Cause and Effect)
Express a causal relationship
The Girl Effect is about girls and boys, and moms and dads, and villages, towns and countries. Poverty, AIDs, hunger and war—
"What if there were a solution that would turn this 'sinking ship' around?" — Kristof
Stating Cause and Effect
| CAUSE — EFFECT | |
|---|---|
Consequently (adverb) and as a result (prepositional phrase) are connectives that transition the reader from the idea expressed in one clause to the idea expressed in the next clause. These connectives are followed by a clause expressing the effect of situation stated in the clause before it. A comma separates the adverb from the clause. |
|
| CAUSE | EFFECT |
| CLAUSE | CONNECTIVE ADV or PREP + CLAUSE |
She had no other options. |
Consequently, she married at thirteen. (Adv + Cls) |
She was not protected. |
As a result, she had a baby at thirteen. (PP + Cls) |
She had no access to health education or medical clinics. |
Therefore, she was more likely to get HIV. (Adv + Cls) |
There was poor sanitation in the village. |
As a consequence, she had health problems. (PP + Cls) |
The water was impure in her village. |
For this reason, she suffered from parasites. (PP + Cls) |
She had no shoes, warm clothes or blankets. |
For all these reason, she was often cold. (PP + Cls) |
She had no resources to grow food. (land, seeds, tools) |
Thus, she was hungry. (Adv + Cls) |
She had not been given a chance, |
so² she was fighting for survival. (Adv) |
| EFFECT — CAUSE | |
|---|---|
Because (since, as) and because of (due to, on account of) are connective prepositions that relate additional, nonessential information to the main clause. Because is complemented by a clause and because of is complemented by a noun phrase (NP) that states a reason (cause) for the effect stated in the main clause. |
|
| EFFECT | CAUSE / REASON |
| CLAUSE | CONNECTIVE PREP + CLAUSE |
She married at thirteen |
because she had no other options. (PP + Cls) |
She had a baby at thirteen |
as she was not protected. |
She was more likely to get HIV |
since she had no access to health education or clinics. |
She had health problems |
because of¹ poor sanitation in the village. (NP) |
She suffered from parasites |
on account of¹ the impure water in her village. (NP) |
She was often cold |
due to¹ not having shoes, warm clothes or blankets. (NP) |
She was hungry |
for the reason that she had no resources to grow food. |
She was fighting for survival |
since she had not been given a chance. |
adolescence (N) – the time, usually between the ages of 12 and 18, when a young person is developing into an adult
option (N) – a choice one can make when in a particular situation
parasites (N) – worms, insects and other organisms that live in a person's body and cause the person to be sick
resources – basic materials needed to do a job (land, seeds, tools)
sanitation (N) – The protection of public health by removing and treating waste, dirty water etc.
unprotected (Adj) – Someone or something that is not kept safe from harm, hurt or damage.
¹ This double-prep. phrase is complemented by a noun phrase or a gerund clause. See Grammar Notes for details. [because (P) of (P)]
²so (connective adv/coordinator) – joins an effect-clause to the main (matrix) clause.
Related pages Because of vs. Despite, Because vs. Though, Connective Prepositional Phrases and Connective Adverbs.
Kristof, Nicholas and Sheryl WuDunn. Half the Sky Movement: Turning Oppression into Opportunities Worldwide. 11 May 2012, halftheskymovement.org.
Word Categories: N – Noun; V – Verb; Aux – Auxiliary; Adj – Adjective; Adv – Adverb; P –Preposition; Det –Determiner. See Word Categories.
Phrasal Categories: NP – Noun Phrase; VP – Verb Phrase; AdjP – Adjective Phrase; AdvP – Adverb Phrase; PP – Prepositional Phrase; DP – Determinative Phrase.
Clausal Categories: Cls – clause; F – finite clause; NF – nonfinite clause: Ger – gerund; Inf – infinitive; PPart – past participle.
Cause & Effect
Cause & Result Expressions
Introducing an Effect vs. a Cause
| EFFECT | |
|---|---|
Both verbs, cause and result, are used in the active form to relate an effect. The verb cause focuses on the source, while the verb+prep. result in focuses on the result. Result is always followed by a prepositional phrase (in). |
|
| CAUSE + VP | EFFECT |
Poor childhood education causes |
illiteracy. |
Poor childhood education results in |
illiteracy. |
Poor childhood education *results |
illiteracy. |
| CAUSE | |
|---|---|
Both verbs, cause and result, relate a cause. Cause may be used in the passive form with a by phrase. Result does not take the passive. It is followed by a prepositional phrase (from). |
|
| EFFECT | VP + CAUSE |
Illiteracy |
is caused by poor childhood education. |
Illiteracy |
results from poor childhood education. |
Illiteracy |
*is resulted by¹ poor childhood education. |
illiteracy (N) – inability to read or write (cannot)
¹Note that result by has a different meaning. See Results by The reason is + clause
*Yellow highlighting indicates example of incorrect usage.
"Cuz"
Informal shortening of because
Cuz is shortened from because (PP) not cause
| BECAUSE | |
|---|---|
Because is complemented by a clause giving reason or source of the situation in the main clause. The informal cuz / bcuz is shortened from because and commonly occurs in texting and very informal writing. |
|
| CAUSE | EFFECT |
| P + PP / P + CLS | MAIN CLAUSE |
Because of the drought, [PP] Because so little rain fell, [CLS] |
crops failed.
|
| P + P / P + CLS | MAIN CLAUSE |
Bcuz¹ it's late, (more commonly used mid-sentence) |
we're leaving.
|
| CAUSE | |
|---|---|
Cause is a noun, meaning "source", that can be modified by an adjective (Adj), a prepositional phrase (PP) or a relative clause. (Cause is also used as a verb.) |
|
| EFFECT | CAUSE |
| NP + PP | MAIN CLAUSE |
The main cause of crop failure The cause of crop failure The reason crops failed |
was the lack of rain. was the lack of rain. was because of² the lack of rain. |
| NP + CLS | MAIN CLAUSE |
The reason that we're leaving We're leaving |
is the late hour. bcuz / cuz¹ it's late. |
* not used / ~ uncommon or awkward usage
¹In informal speech and writing (texting), “because” is shortened to becus, 'cause, cus, cuz, or bcz → I cant come today bcz I hav to work.
²The reason was because… is wording that repeats, is repetitive. Instead use The reason was that… (because)
complement (V) — in grammar, a word or structure that is required or expected to complete the meaning of a clause.
Because— a connective preposition often takes a clause as its complement [P + CLS]. → The crops failed because [there was so little rain.]
Because— a connective prepositional can also take a prepositional phrase as its complement [P + PP]. → The crops failed because [of the drought.]
Related topic: Prepositional Complements (words and structures that can follow a preposition.)
If Only Because
Stating a minor reason
Major / Minor Reason
| A MAJOR REASON |
|---|
Use because to indicate a reason of primary importance, a main or major reason. ("There may be other reasons as well, but this is the one in focus".) |
We are confident because we are getting your overwhelming support. |
She needs a job because she needs to be able to support herself. (home, food, etc.) |
Give her praise because she's a good student. |
She visits the cafe because she wants to check on her employees. |
She married at thirteen because she had no other options. |
| A MINOR REASON IS SUFFICIENT |
|---|
When a range of reasons exist, use if only because to indicate even a minor reason being sufficient for the effect. "if for no other (better) reason than…" or "because at least…" |
We are confident if only because we are making progress. (a minor, minimal reason – This implies that much more needs to be done.) |
She needs a job if only because she needs something to occupy herself everyday. (a minor, trivial reason) |
Give her praise if only because she has shown up to school on time everyday. (a minimal reason) |
She visits the cafe if only because she wants a bite to eat. |
She married at thirteen if only because she needed a roof over her head. |
trivial (Adj) – not serious, important, or valuable
Cause-Effect
Position and punctuation
Mid vs Initial Placement
| COMMA |
|---|
|
| A BECAUSE PHRASE IN INITIAL POSITION |
Because she had no other options, she married at thirteen. As her family was poor, they couldn't afford to care for her. |
| A CONNECTIVE ADVERB IN INITIAL POSITION |
She had no other options. Consequently, she married at age thirteen. |
| AN ADDITION THAT IS UNRELATED / NOT CAUSE-EFFECT |
She married at eighteen, because what else could she do? (Set off opinions and aside comments with a comma.) |
A comma separates (1) a | NO COMMA |
|---|
|
| BECAUSE PHRASE AFTER MAIN CLAUSE |
She married at thirteen because she had no other options. Her family couldn't afford to care for her as they were poor. |
Related page: Because, Fragments, Connective Adverbs
Not…Because
Limit negation to the main clause
A special case of negative influence
| NEGATIVE EXTENDS TO VERB IN BECAUSE PHRASE | |
|---|---|
|
|
| EFFECT / RESULT | CAUSE / REASON |
She didn't marry at thirteen (Her marrying did not occur because she was in love.) |
because she was in love. (The cause was something else.) |
She married (Her marrying was not because she was in love.) |
not because she was in love. (The cause was something else.) |
| COMMA LIMITS NEGATIVE TO MAIN CLAUSE | |
|---|---|
|
|
| EFFECT / RESULT | CAUSE / REASON |
She didn't marry at thirteen, "She did not marry." |
because she was too young to be a wife. |
|
|
A double negative is not used (is confusing) *She didn't marry not because she was in love.
See Not Because for a discussion of interpreting the effect-clause and Diagram of Negative "Scope" in Grammar Notes, below.
Also see Pop-Q "Neg Cause" and Pop-Q "Not because".
Reason "Scope and Focus" (Huddleston 732)
Grammar Notes (Advanced)
Traditional and Linguistic Descriptions
Traditional / ESL and Linguistic Descriptions
| TRADITIONAL / ESL GRAMMAR |
|---|
In traditional grammar — because, since, as— are connective words that introduce adverb clauses. They relate why something occurred. |
| BECAUSE |
because adverb.adverbial clause (Azar 17.3-11) |
| BECAUSE OF |
because of, due to Sometimes, usually in formal writing, due to is followed by a noun clause introduced by the fact that… Like adverb clauses, these phrases can also follow main clauses. |
| CONSEQUENTLY |
consequently |
| LINGUISTIC DESCRIPTION |
|---|
In linguistic description —because, as, since, etc.— are included in the category Preposition. (Note that in this description, prepositions can be complemented by a wide variety of sentence structures and are not limited to a noun phrase as the complement.) |
| BECAUSE |
because, as, since, inasmuch as
|
| BECAUSE OF |
because of, due to, owing to, on account of
|
| CONSEQUENTLY |
Consequently,
|
CATEGORIES: NP –noun phrase; N – noun; VP – verb phrase; V – verb; Det – determiner; PP – prepositional phrase; P – preposition; AdvP – adverb phrase; Adv – adverb; AdjP– adjective phrase; Adj – adjective
Diagram of Negative Scope (Control)
| NEGATIVE EXTENDS BEYOND THE MAIN CLAUSE |
 |
| COMMA RESTRICTS NEGATIVE TO MAIN CLAUSE |
 |
Works Cited
- Aarts, Bas. Oxford Modern English Grammar. Oxford UP, 2011.
- Azar, Betty Schrampfer, and Stacy A. Hagen. Understanding and Using English Grammar. 4th ed., Pearson Education, 2009.
- Biber, Douglas, and Stig Johansson, et al. Longman Grammar Of Spoken And Written English. Pearson Education, 1999.
- Huddleston, Rodney and Geoffrey K. Pullum. "Words with PP Complements."The Cambridge Grammar of the English Language. Cambridge UP, 2002.
- Kristoff, WuDunn, Half the Sky : Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide. Alfred A. Knopf, 2009
- Payne, Thomas Edward. Understanding English Grammar: A Linguistic Introduction. Cambridge UP, 2011.
- Swan, Michael. "Because." Practical English Usage, 3rd ed., Oxford UP, 2005.
- Quirk, Randolph and Sidney Greenbaum. A Comprehensive Grammar of the English Language. 7th ed., Longman Group, 1989.
- World Health Organization. "Assessing the health situation in the Central African Republic." Sep. 2014, www.who.int/features/2014/car-health-system/en.
Practice 1
The Girl (and Boy) Effect
Read the Context
When people began to question why the death rate of females in certain parts of Africa was so much greater than the death rate of males, they started to look for reasons. Below, are some cause and effect examples of how empowering girls improved the well-being of the people in their villages.
Schools for girls were built. Girls had a chance to learn about health and life skills. Girls learned about health skills. They improved the sanitation of their villages. The girls felt proud to have a uniform. They were more likely to attend school everyday. The family members of the girls walked them to school.
They didn't want other males in the village to taunt the girls. The family members of the girls walked them to school. The girls avoided abduction and pregnancy. After graduation, the girls were more likely to start small businesses. They had mathematical and accounting skills. Some graduates became valued business owners. They were invited to serve on business councils. Their community status rose. They were able to vote on improving water and sanitation. Health conditions improved in villages. More babies and children survived.
abduction (N) – being taken away by force; kidnapping
avoid (V) – to prevent something bad from happening
graduation (N) – the time when a person completes a high school or university degree
more likely (Adj) – almost certain
pregnancy (N) – being 'with child'; having a child growing inside
sanitation (N) – the protection of public health by removing and treating waste, dirty water etc.
skill (N) – an ability to do something well, especially because it is learned and practiced / practised
status (N) – the social or professional rank or position, considered in relation to other people
survive (V) – to continue to live after an accident,catastrophe, war, or illness
taunt (V) – to try to make someone angry or upset by saying unkind things to them
uniform (N) – a particular type of clothing worn by all the members of a group or organization
valued (Adj) – important, useful
Add a cause-effect connector (connective).
- Select the response from the list that best completes the sentence.
- Compare your response to the feedback by clicking the "check" or "check 1-10" button.
Practice 2
Health Care
Complete the sentence with a logical phrase or clause.
- Select the response from the list that best completes the sentence.
- Compare your response to the feedback by clicking the "check" or "check 11-15" button.
Practice 3
Gender preference
Punctuate the sentences.
- Select the response from the list that best completes the sentence.
- Compare your response to the feedback by clicking the "check" or "check 16-20" button.