Can you start a sentence with “because”?
The short and simple answer is yes, you can.
Yet it seems that a lot of people don’t know this and think you can’t.
We’ve been asked this question numerous times by readers of our “word nerd” books and listeners of our NPR-affiliated podcast “You’re Saying It Wrong.”
Maybe it’s because it was drummed into their heads as kids by well-meaning adults who thought “don’t start a sentence with ‘because’” was a rule (like so many other “grammar rules,” it isn’t), or maybe it’s because they’ve seen it used incorrectly (it often is).
But for whatever reason, people often avoid starting a sentence with “because.”
Can you start a sentence with because?
Because this happens so often, let’s cut to the chase.
Yes, you can absolutely start a sentence with “because.”
And…you caught that, didn’t you? Right there we started a sentence with “because,” and it’s completely correct.
Why? Because it’s used at the opening of a subordinate clause that’s connected to a main clause and—
Wait a second! We just did it again, but in a different way! See, as you just read, there are actually two different but completely acceptable ways of starting a sentence with “because.”
Starting a sentence with because: Two ways that work
The thing with “because” is that it’s a subordinate conjunction, which means it’s usually used to connect two clauses — a subordinate clause and a main clause. A subordinate clause is, yes, subordinate to the main one; it describes it.
As such, it’s not a stand-alone sentence like the main clause is. When you start a sentence with “because,” you have to be sure that you use both clauses to make the sentence a complete one, like this:
“Because I’m confused, I’m reading about starting sentences.”
It’s a perfectly legal sentence. No grammar guru can complain about it. If you split it into two discrete units, however, that guru would get quite perturbed.
“Because I’m confused. I’m reading about starting sentences.”
This doesn’t work because the first clause isn’t a complete sentence on its own. It’s a sentence fragment. To be correct grammatically, it needs to be followed by the second clause, the main one.
That’s the rule of thumb about starting a sentence with “because” — you need two parts to the sentence, two clauses connected by a comma, to make it work.
Nice and simple, right?
But this is English. And English has a way of bending the rules, so here we go…
Another way to start a sentence with because
There is another time when you can start a sentence with “because” and not follow that two-clause rule: if you’re using it conversationally to answer a spoken or unspoken “why” question.
The perfect example of this is the time-honored kid-to-parent question: “Why can’t I stay out later?” “Because I said so” is a perfectly acceptable (albeit infuriating) answer.
Persnickety nitpickers would argue that it’s not correct, that it’s a fragment that needs a rewrite. They’re right …technically.
But most modern grammarians and writers disagree and feel it’s fine to use in more casual writing, when you’re trying to sound conversational, and, of course, when you’re writing dialogue.
Pick up virtually any novel and you’ll see a lot of questions being answered with “Because I …” constructs. Clearly, this is one of those times when it’s good to break grammar rules.
And there you have it, two distinct and accepted ways of using “because” to start a sentence: either as the opener to a subordinate clause that presupposes the following clause, or as a conversational way of answering a “why” question.
So don’t listen if anyone tells you that you can’t start a sentence with “because.” Why not? Because we say so, of course. (And, no, you can’t stay out later. Not until you’ve finished writing.)
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Here’s a question that I’ve been asking myself for quite a long time. Why was it that in school I was told to never start a sentence with because, while I kept on seeing professional writers do it all the time? Sentences starting with because turn up in novels, blogs, articles—and everywhere in between.
Have we all been tricked? Is there a secret that only elite writers know? Let’s see if we can work this one out.
The rule is that you can’t start a sentence with “because” as it should only be used to join the main clause with a dependent clause. Otherwise, you end up with a fragmented sentence.
Exception: When you flip the order of your clauses and put a comma between them, your sentence will start with “because” and still be correct.
In conversational English, fragmented sentences tend to be more accepted and can make a point stand out.
The historical rule: You cannot start a sentence with “because”
Let’s first try and understand where our school teachers were coming from. Because is a subordinate conjunction word, which means it is used to join a main clause to a subordinate (or dependent) clause.
For example, let’s break down the following: “Jason went for a run because he needed to get fit for football season”. This sentence is made up of two distinct parts (or clauses):
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“Jason went for a run…”: You can immediately tell it’s the main clause because it can work as a complete sentence by itself, even if you remove it from the original text.
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“… because he needed to get fit for football season” is the subordinate clause: If you try and isolate it, you immediately see that it looks incomplete and doesn’t make much sense.
The use of because joins the two clauses and makes it a new, complete sentence.
Now let’s take a look at the two clauses if we were to separate them with a period: “Jason went for a run. Because he needed to get fit for football season.”
This version is wrong because the second sentence is what we call a fragmented or incomplete sentence. It leaves us feeling like there’s more we need to know about getting fit for football season.
Exception 1: Flipping the order of the sentence
The case is made: You can’t start a sentence with because. Actually, things are a bit more nuanced than that. This is where you discover the formula that your teachers were keeping secret. It all has to do with flipping the order of the sentence and adding a simple comma.
If you start your sentence with the dependent clause (“Because…”) and introduce your main clause with a comma, you would have just created a sentence without fragments. The comma serves as a necessary link between the two clauses, ensuring that they work together as one meaningful piece of information.
It’s simpler if we take a look at our example sentence:
“Because Jason needed to get fit for football season, he went for a run.”
As you can see, we flipped the order of the sentence and added a magic comma. It becomes a complete sentence with no fragments, so even your English teacher would have to say it’s correct.
Exception 2: In conversational English
The English language has changed over the centuries. In today’s world, it is becoming more and more acceptable to bend, and sometimes, break grammar rules. For instance, if you want your writing to come across as conversational, then it may be acceptable to start a fragmented sentence with because.
For example:
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“Why was he allowed to eat the ice cream? Because I said so.”
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“She succeeded in her new role because of her grit. Because of her grit alone.”
You’ll find examples of this everywhere, from Bon Jovi’s song title “Because We Can” to countless novels where dialogue takes place. These types of sentences can have a powerful impact and make a point stand out.
In a nutshell
So, can you use because at the start of a sentence?
Yes, but only in the two following cases:
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When you flip the order of your sentence and join the two clauses with a comma.
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In conversational English—where incomplete sentences are more acceptable—if the sentence starting with because immediately follows the main clause.
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Articles
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Usage
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Conjunctions
Summary
It’s fine to start a sentence with because (or any other conjunction) in both formal and informal writing.
Examples
- Because this form has an upload limit, I have not attached a copy of my thesis to the application.
- Because Farley missed the bus, he missed the train as well.
Just remember to complete the sentence by adding a main clause.
Example
- Incorrect: Because this paper has not yet been peer-reviewed but still been published.
Correct: Because this paper has not yet been peer-reviewed but still been published, the results should be interpreted with caution.
In speech and informal writing, incomplete sentences or fragments are acceptable if context makes the meaning clear.
Example
- “Why did the cat cross the road?”
“Because the chicken was on the other side.”
Also make sure it is clear what your pronoun refers to. The pronoun usually appears after the noun in a sentence instead of before it.
Example
- Incorrect: Because she wants to travel the world, Maya has sold her house and car.
Correct: Because Maya wants to travel the world, she has sold her house and car.
Because: When to use
Because, which means “for the reason that,” is a subordinating conjunction used to connect two clauses in a sentence.
Example
- Farley had to buy an umbrella because it was raining.
The two clauses (“Farley had to buy an umbrella” and “it was raining”) are connected by because.
As a subordinating conjunction, because introduces a subordinate clause and makes it dependent on the main clause for complete meaning.
Example
- Because it was a fine evening, we took a walk under the stars.
subordinate clause = “because it was a fine evening”; main clause = “we took a walk under the stars”
By itself, a subordinate clause does not convey complete meaning. If someone said to you “Because it was a fine evening,” you would ask “So what?” The main clause (“we took a walk under the stars”) completes the thought and therefore the sentence.
Because at start of sentence
It is grammatically fine to start a sentence with because. Starting a sentence with a subordinate clause, such as one introduced by because, helps place emphasis or end focus on the main clause. Leading with because also indicates to the reader that an explanation is forthcoming.
Examples
- Because Maya loves pasta, she lives in Campania.
Immediately clear that an explanation is being provided and a reason is being given. Also places end focus in the sentence on the main clause (“she lives in Campania”).
- Because this clinical trial carries significant risk, we will be our own test subjects.
- Because of the lockdown, all the flights are cancelled.
- Because of you, I am in trouble.
The positioning of clauses in a sentence affects emphasis. When a main clause needs to be emphasized, it appears at the end of the sentence, after the subordinate clause.
Example
- Lulu plans to throw a party because she bought extra pizza sauce.
or
Because Lulu bought extra pizza sauce, she plans to throw a party.
emphasis on the main clause (“she plans to throw a party”)
When the subordinate clause appears first, the sentence starts with a conjunction like because. This is acceptable both grammatically and stylistically. In fact, you can start a sentence with any conjunction in English.
Examples
- We stayed in because it was raining.
or
Because it was raining, we stayed in.
- Rita loves to fly, although she is afraid of heights.
or
Although Rita is afraid of heights, she loves to fly.
- We were able to jump a little higher since we were on the Moon.
or
Since we were on the Moon, we were able to jump a little higher.
Just watch out for two common errors that often appear in sentences starting with because:
- Fragments or incomplete sentences
- Anticipatory references with unclear pronoun usage
Completing the sentence
When you start a sentence with because, make sure to complete it. The conjunction because introduces a subordinate clause, which by itself does not convey complete meaning. If you forget to add a main clause, what you have is a sentence fragment rather than a complete sentence.
Example
- Incorrect: Because it was a cloudy day.
Because it was a cloudy day, so what? Complete the sentence with a main clause.
Correct: Because it was a cloudy day, Tumkin carried an umbrella with him to the park.
Longer fragments that start with because can be particularly tricky, fooling you into believing you’re writing a complete sentence. Always remember to complete the thought by adding a main clause.
Examples
- Incorrect: Because we found at the last minute that the weather bureau had forecast a hurricane.
Correct: Because we found out at the last minute that the weather bureau had forecast a hurricane, we had to cancel our trip. - Incorrect: Because the file was large.
Correct: Because the file was large, the upload failed.
Tip
When you start a sentence with because, check whether the reader will be left asking, “So what?” If yes, you need to add a main clause.
Example
- Because we have this head of cabbage and I know we have some leftover pasta.
So what?
Because we have this head of cabbage and some leftover pasta, we can make soup.
In formal writing as well, you can start a sentence with because (or any other conjunction), as long as you remember to complete the sentence by adding a main clause.
Examples
- Incorrect: Because we forgot to refresh the medium and the bacteria died.
no main clause, i.e., an incomplete sentence or a fragment
Correct: Because we forgot to refresh the medium, the bacteria died.
Correct: Because we forgot to refresh the medium and the bacteria died, our research remains incomplete. - Incorrect: Because we forgot to set up the sensors and were unable to collect any data.
Correct: Because we forgot to set up the sensors, we were unable to collect any data. - Incorrect: Because our research is now complete to publish a paper.
Correct:Because our research is now complete, we can publish a paper. - Incorrect:Because this company’s CEO has resigned.
Correct: Because this company’s CEO has resigned, its share price has fallen.
Caution
Write complete sentences rather than fragments in formal writing (e.g., in a thesis or a cover letter).
Example
- Incorrect: Because I have been managing teleportation services on Mars for seven years.
Correct: Because I have been managing teleportation services on Mars for seven years, I have the experience required to serve your customers on Duranda.In formal writing, make sure a sentence that starts with because has a main clause.
Avoiding anticipatory reference
When a sentence starts with because, it can contain a pronoun whose reference is unclear at first use. If a pronoun appears before the noun it refers to, it can be confusing for readers and ruin the flow of your text.
Example
- Poor: Because she was tired, Maya went to bed without brushing her teeth.
“She” refers to Maya, but this is not clear until we read the second clause.
Better: Because Maya was tired, she went to bed without brushing her teeth.
But you don’t have to avoid using because at the start of a sentence: simply make sure it is clear what your pronoun refers to.
Example
- Incorrect: Nesbit and Tumkin are making a new video game. Because he likes to travel, Tumkin wants to make a game in which you fight demons in cities around the world.
Because who likes to travel?
Correct: Nesbit and Tumkin are making a new video game. Because Tumkin likes to travel, he wants to make a game in which you fight demons in cities around the world.
Here are some more examples of anticipatory reference, where clarity can be improved by making the pronoun appear after instead of before its antecedent (the noun it refers to).
Examples
- Incorrect: Because she loves to fly, Rita is saving up to buy a plane.
Correct: Because Rita loves to fly, she is saving up to buy a plane. - Incorrect: Because they are easy to make, we often insert graphs in our presentations.
Correct: Because graphs are easy to make, we often insert them in our presentations.
In speech and informal usage
In speech, the meaning of a statement is often clear without the main clause being explicitly stated. Nobody speaks in complete sentences all the time.
Examples
- “Why did you cancel your trip?”
“Because of the hurricane.” - “Why have you withdrawn your application?
“Because I have accepted another offer.” - “Why are you so sleepy?”
“Because I woke up today at 4 a.m.”
Answering every question with a complete sentence can sound stuffy and pompous in everyday speech and informal writing.
Fragments are also common in creative writing, which naturally has a more conversational and narrative tone.
Examples
He could teach any of us only one thing, and that one thing was flight. Because there was no freedom here.
After everything that’s happened, how can the world still be so beautiful? Because it is.
Because the truth is, we never know for sure about ourselves.
“Because . . .” fragments are also seen in popular culture and on social media, where they can be used to make a point.
Example
- “Because Mondays.”
Inscribed on a photo of a coffee mug to humorously indicate that coffee is necessary on Mondays.
Such colloquialisms, perfectly acceptable in informal settings, are avoided in formal writing. Do not write incomplete sentence in documents such as cover letters, academic theses, or business reports.
Anticipatory reference (where the pronoun appears before its antecedent) is also acceptable in informal and creative writing, where it can add an element of surprise, drama, or humor to a sentence.
Example
- Because it tastes best cold, Maya likes to eat pizza straight out of the fridge.
In academic and other formal writing, where clarity is important, anticipatory reference is avoided.
Examples from literature
Here are some quotes from literature with sentences starting with because.
Examples
Do you want to be a gentleman, to spite her or to gain her over? Because, if it is to spite her, I should think – but you know best – that might be better and more independently done by caring nothing for her words.
Because the world is so full of death and horror, I try again and again to console my heart and pick the flowers that grow in the midst of hell.
Because when all people had was practically nothing, then anything could be almost anything.
Because if she let go of her grief even for a minute it would only hit her harder when she bumped into it again.
— Alice Munro, “The Bear Came Over the Mountain,” Hateship, Friendship, Loveship, Courtship, Marriage (2001)
Because while you don’t have a choice about what you are, you have a
choice about what you show.
Have you asked yourself, can you start a sentence with because? The answer, like many answers to grammar questions in the English language, is that it depends.
Many grammar teachers will teach their students that they cannot begin a sentence with because due to the fact that the subordinating conjunction starts a dependent clause. Yet many sentences do start with this word, so can you start a sentence with because?
Sometimes, a sentence needs to start with because. This is particularly true with complex sentences. Sometimes, however, starting a sentence with because makes an incomplete sentence.
You must be able to tell the difference in order to use these words correctly.
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Contents
- Can You Start a Sentence with Because? Yes, but Only Sometimes
- What Part of Speech is Because?
- Starting a Dependent Clause with Because
- Because Starting Sentences in Conversational Language
- A Final Word on Can You Start a Sentence with Because?
- FAQs About Can You Start a Sentence with Because
- Author
Can You Start a Sentence with Because? Yes, but Only Sometimes
It is possible to start a sentence with because or another subordinating conjunction, but you have to do so carefully to ensure you are writing a complete sentence.
Many school teachers and grammar books will warn against starting a sentence with because, especially in elementary school. This is due to the high chance that an inexperienced writer will do so incorrectly, and this creates an incomplete sentence.
However, it is possible to use the word correctly if you know what you’re doing.
What Part of Speech is Because?
Before looking at the right uses of because first consider what part of speech it is. Typically it can fall into one of two categories: conjunction or a preposition.
Because as a Conjunction
Traditionally, because was considered subordinating conjunction, which means it is a connecting word that connects a dependent clause to the rest of the sentence. Here is an example:
- Johnathan missed his bus because he stepped in gum.
“Because he stepped in gum” is an idea tied tightly to the main clause “he missed his bus,” so the two are connected.
Because as a Preposition
Because can also be used as a preposition, as in this second sentence:
- I let him have his say, even though I disagreed, because free speech.
This sentence is informal and sarcastic, but according to quickanddirtytips.com it is a proper use of the word for spoken English. This use is called a preposition, and “because free speech” is a prepositional phrase. However, this prepositional use does not start a sentence, but rather comes in the middle of a sentence.
Starting a Dependent Clause with Because
In most instances, you can use because to start a sentence when you start the sentence with a dependent clause. Connect it to the independent clause using a comma, and you will have a complete sentence. For example:
- Because we exercised hard, we were very hungry at dinner time.
However, if you use because at the beginning of a sentence and do not connect it to an independent clause, it is a sentence fragment. For example:
- Because we exercised hard.
This is a sentence fragment because it does not create a complete thought.
Because Starting Sentences in Conversational Language
The reason why this grammar rule is so often misunderstood is because using because at the start of a sentence is common in conversational language. When answering someone’s question, a lot of people will say “because” and finish the answer. For example:
- Why did the chicken cross the road? Because the farm was on the other side.
In informal writing, such as social media posts, blogging or writing dialogue, this is considered proper. However, the second sentence is technically a fragment, and you should not use the subordinate clause as a standalone sentence like this in formal writing.
So can you start a sentence with because, or is that improper grammar? In formal writing, sentences can start with because when they start with a dependent clause but still complete the thought.
In informal and spoken writing, answers to questions can start with because, even if they are not connected to a main idea.
However, this does create a sentence fragment. Fragments are allowed in these less formal setting, so don’t be afraid to use because in this way.
FAQs About Can You Start a Sentence with Because
Is it ok to start a sentence with because?
Yes, if because starts a dependent clause, you can use it to open a sentence, as long as you finish the idea and make a complete sentence.
Can you start a sentence with “because of this?”
Yes, a sentence that reads, “Because of this ad, many people were deceived into buying the faulty product.” you have a complete sentence that starts with “because of this.”
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Nicole Harms has been writing professionally since 2006. She specializes in education content and real estate writing but enjoys a wide gamut of topics. Her goal is to connect with the reader in an engaging, but informative way. Her work has been featured on USA Today, and she ghostwrites for many high-profile companies. As a former teacher, she is passionate about both research and grammar, giving her clients the quality they demand in today’s online marketing world.
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In my grade school days, I recall a teacher proclaiming to the class:
You should never start a sentence with the word «Because».
Of course, I’ve since seen lots of examples to the contrary, and done so my self that seem to be perfectly correct, grammatically.
Did she shorten some other rule that allows for specific exceptions?
Did she just make it up because writing sentences starting with because is a little tricky for young and inexperienced minds?
Is there some other reason?
tchrist♦
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asked Aug 13, 2010 at 21:11
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It is appropriate when you have simply flipped the clauses:
I stayed inside because it was raining.
Because it was raining, I stayed inside.
What the teacher was trying to teach was that a a subordinate clause is not a complete sentence:
I stayed inside.
This is a complete sentence.
Because it was raining.
This is not; the conjunction because makes it subordinate and therefore, it requires an associated independent clause.
apaderno
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answered Aug 14, 2010 at 2:18
user459user459
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Because I don’t know your teacher, I can’t know her motivations. However, there is nothing wrong with starting a sentence that way if you are careful to write a complete sentence.
answered Aug 13, 2010 at 22:07
JohnFxJohnFx
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The rule is really made up to prevent primary school children splitting their sentences up randomly. This is just one of those rules that’s made to be broken… when you know it sounds ok.
answered Aug 13, 2010 at 21:47
2
Because you asked this question here, I’m obliged to say yes.
answered Sep 7, 2010 at 17:09
OneProtonOneProton
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Because you can, it doesn’t mean you should…
answered Aug 14, 2010 at 14:40
In addition to what others have said, I’ll just note that this usage is seen all throughout English literature. I’ll give you just a single example, from Emily Dickinson’s poem Because I could not stop for Death:
Because I could not stop for Death –
He kindly stopped for me –
The Carriage held but just Ourselves –
And Immortality.
answered Apr 15, 2015 at 16:44
RobustoRobusto
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You can use it for emphasis.
«Did you skip school just because you were sick?»
«Because I was vomiting.»
«Oh, sorry.»
T.E.D.
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answered Sep 14, 2010 at 17:58
1
Because is a conjunction.
Hey, I started the sentence with ‘Because’, and I’m sure no English Teacher would object to this!
answered Aug 14, 2010 at 3:33
Vaibhav GargVaibhav Garg
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5
It can be more poetic to begin with «because». Consider: «The world turns me on because it is round.»
answered Sep 8, 2010 at 8:21
2
I’d say your teacher was wrong in saying that. There are perfectly grammatical sentences beginning with «because». However, replying to «Why didn’t you go to the cinema?» with «Because I had to work» is incorrect, obviously, because it is a fragment, not a sentence.
answered Aug 14, 2010 at 12:36
2
Traditionally it might not have been considered grammatical, as because is a conjunction, so it needs two phrases to conjoin.
However, you will often hear it in spoken English. There is no real problem with this, if the first half of the sentence is somehow implied. For example, if someone asks you a Why... question, it is perfectly reasonable to start your answer with Because.... If it makes the language lawyers cringe, they can pretend the previous sentence has been implicitly reused as the first half of the new one.
answered Jul 8, 2011 at 18:31
T.E.D.T.E.D.
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