Comma Before the Word Because

Can I use a comma with the word "because"? For example:

Example 1 (with comma):

• I didn't go to work, because I was sick.

Example 2 (without comma):

• I didn't go to work because I was sick.

Most Japanese learn at school that they should follow the style shown in Example 1.

An anmi-eikaiwa, we teach students to follow Example 2. Let's take a look at the two sentences and their structures to understand why.

1. The word "because" is a dependent marker. A dependent marker is a word that helps connect a dependent clause with an independent clause. There are two ways to use dependent markers: At the very beginning of the sentence or in the middle (these types of sentences are called "complex sentences").

Dependent marker at the beginning:

• [Dependent marker + dependent clause] + [comma] + [independent clause]
• Because I was sick, I didn't go to work.

Dependent marker in the middle:

• [Independent clause] + [dependent marker + dependent clause]
• I didn't go to work because I was sick.

Other dependent markers that serve the same function include:

• before
• since
• while
• although
• if
• until
• when
• then
• after
• as
• as if

Remember: dependent markers tell us which part of the sentence is the dependent clause, which helps us to find the independent clause. In the examples above, "I didn't go to work" is the main point we are trying to say (independent clause). The part about being sick is only extra information to support the main point (dependent clause).

So to keep things simple, when we use the word because in the middle of a sentence (using the word because as the dependent marker before the dependent clause), don't add a comma.

Now, why do most English students want to add a comma before because? In fact, why do many native English speakers (at least in North America) have a similar habit? My guess is that most everyone is confusing because (a dependent marker) with the word so, which is not a dependent marker, but rather a coordinating conjunction. In daily English conversation, many speakers will freely use the word so interchangeably with the word because. As far as anmi-eikaiwa is concerned, this is perfectly OK. In speaking, do whatever you have to do to get the point across. Therefore, it is only natural that most people will want to treat because as a coordinating junction, which does require a preceding comma!

Today's post is concentrating on the written side of English, which is extremely hard and confusing not only for ESL students, but also native English speakers as well. So, if you learn anything at all, please just try to remember to drop the comma before because because you don't need one. (Pun intended.)

More examples and references:

Cambridge Dictionary of American English:

• We can't go to Julia's party because we're going away that weekend.
• The flight was delayed because the weather was bad.

English 2200 with Writing Applications : A Programmed Course in Grammar and Usage:

• English 2200 looks so different because it is built upon some modern learning principles.

The Great Grammar Challenge : Test Yourself on Punctuation, Usage, Grammar-And More

• In this sentence the singular is appropriate because there is only one scholarship to be won.

Complete Idiot's Guide to Grammar and Style 2E (The Complete Idiot's Guide)

• The largest mammals are to be found in the sea because there's nowhere else to put them.

Writing: Grammar, Usage, and Style (Cliffs Quick Review)

• This sentence is correct because both can and will are correct with the base verb.

The Oxford English Grammar

• Some readers study grammar because they wish to improve their use of the language.

The Cambridge Grammar of the English Language

• "At least two other dictionaries have been of considerable assistance because of their excellent collections of examples from actual corpora: the Cambridge International Dictionary of English edited by Paul Procter . . . "

*Visit http://www.anmiweb.com/anmi-eikaiwa/archives.htm for a complete index of other blog entries.

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アンミ英会話教室
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パークサイド日野102号室

tel 045-841-4218
fax 045-841-4288
cell 070-5084-9592
www.anmi-eikaiwa.com
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Change the settings for Track Changes in Microsoft Word

Have you noticed that some of my corrections to your homework have red letters, red underlining, and red words crossed out with red lines? Kind of hard to understand isn't it? The primary reason for this are the default settings in the Japanese version of Microsoft Word.

Open this PDF document to see how to change your settings in Word to the U.S. version. You'll be surprised how much easier it is to see what changes I made to your homework.

Let me know in class if you still have some problems.

Track Changes settings in Microsoft Word.pdf


(Firefox & Netscape Users: Right-click and select Save Link As...)
(Internet Explorer Users: Right-click and select Save Target As...)

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アンミ英会話教室
〒234-0053横浜市港南区日野中央2-6-3
パークサイド日野102号室

tel 045-841-4218
fax 045-841-4288
cell 070-5084-9592
www.anmi-eikaiwa.com
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Send & Receive Attachments in Gmail

Click on this link to download a PDF file with screenshot on using Gmail for your receiving and sending your homework to アンミ英会話.

gmail-screenshots.pdf (5,097 KB)

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アンミ英会話教室
〒234-0053横浜市港南区日野中央2-6-3
パークサイド日野102号室

tel 045-841-4218
fax 045-841-4288
cell 070-5084-9592
http://www.anmi-eikaiwa.com/
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英文ビジネス・レターの書き方 Part I

良い例文を参考にしましょう。英文を書くときには、良い参考資料を準備しましょう。例えば：

• 辞書の例文
• 海外から届いた手紙･メモの中でのきれいな表現
• 海外から届いたＥメール*
• ライティングの教科書
• オンライン語学実習教室 (Online Writing Laboratory: OWL)
• 学校･会社などの外国人

*注意：社内の英語を母国語とする人から受け取ったメールで、非常に注意してください。あまりに多くの英語をネイティブが、時々不注意であり、メールで標準英語を使用するのを忘れます。

The first thing you need to do is to start collecting useful information. For example:

• Sample sentences from a good dictionary or reference book
• Copies of letters that you have received from overseas that have useful expressions
• Copies of email that you have received from overseas that have useful expressions*
• Writing manuals and textbooks
• Online writing labs
• Native English speakers at your school or office

*NOTE: Be very careful when using phrases found in email that you receive from colleagues from within your company. Too many native English speakers are sometimes careless and neglect to use standard English in email.

Some good reference books are:

One of the best online writing labs can be found at Purdue University:

Purdue University Online Writing Lab
General Business Writing Issues

• Adding Emphasis
• The Basic Business Letter
• Email Etiquette
• Higher Order and Lower Order Concerns in Business Writing
• Parallel Structure in Professional Writing
• Research Report Workshop
• Revision in Business Writing
• Tailoring Employment Documents for a Specific Audience
• Terms & Tips for the International Student’s Job Search
• Tone in Business Writing
• Writing for A North American Business Audience

Letters, Memos, and Reports

• The Basic Business Letter
• Business Letters: Subordinating Negatives in Good News and Neutral Messages
• Email Etiquette
• Memo Writing
• Research Report Workshop
• Sales Letters: Four Point Action Closing
• Writing Report Abstracts

Samples and Models

• Acceptance Letter Model
• Academic Cover Letters: Sample Letter
• Cover Letter Model
• Follow-up to an Interview Letter Model
• Model for Writing an Inquiry about a Cover Letter and Resume
• Model for Writing a Rejection of a Job Offer
• Model for Writing a Reference Request Letter
• Request for Further Negotiations Letter
• Sample Resume
• Reply to When You Receive a Rejection Model Letter
  

Go to Part II

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アンミ英会話教室
〒234-0053横浜市港南区日野中央2-6-3
パークサイド日野102号室

tel 045-841-4218
fax 045-841-4288
cell 070-5084-9592
www.anmi-eikaiwa.com
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