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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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
9
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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1
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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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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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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Asked by: Armando Howe
Score: 4.9/5
(73 votes)
It’s OK to start a sentence with «because»; you just have to make sure you’re writing complete sentences and not sentence fragments.
Can I start a sentence with the word because?
The word “because” is a conjunction that means “for the reason that.” A conjunction is a word that joins other words or groups of words in a sentence. To answer your question: Yes, you can start a sentence with “because.” However, to be a complete sentence, it must express a complete thought.
Is starting a sentence with because bad?
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.
What words can you not start a sentence with?
Or never begins a sentence, paragraph, or chapter. Never begin a sentence—or a clause—with also. Teach the elimination of but, so, and, because, at the beginning of a sentence. A sentence should not commence with the conjunctions and, for, or however….
Why you shouldn’t start a sentence with because?
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.
19 related questions found
Can we start a sentence with but?
The answer is yes. It is perfectly acceptable to start sentences with the conjunctions and and but. However, it is slightly informal. If formality is your goal, choose more formal language.
Do we put comma after Because?
Because is a subordinating conjunction, which means that it connects a subordinate clause to an independent clause; good style dictates that there should be no comma between these two clauses. … There should generally be no comma between the two. Michael went to the forest, because he loves walking among the trees.
What are some good sentence starters?
Some words are indeed notable for being good sentence starters. The list will include the following: although, I would like to, first, meanwhile, therefore, subsequently, while, I would like to, moreover, in general, in addition, furthermore.
How can I start a sentence?
Creative Sentence Structures
- Begin with a verb ending with -ing. …
- Begin with a verb ending with -ed. …
- Begin with a prepositional phrase. …
- Begin with an adverb. …
- Begin with an adjective. …
- Begin with a phrase that tells when. …
- Begin with a phrase that tells where. …
- Begin with a sound word.
What words can start a sentence?
Use: next, then, in fact, similarly, or a time word like first, second, third, and finally. Alternatively, use another sequential transition. Does this sentence add evidence? Use: for example, consequently, for this reason, or another addition transition.
What to use instead of because to start a sentence?
because
- ’cause,
- as,
- as long as,
- being (as or as how or that)
- [chiefly dialect],
- considering,
- for,
- inasmuch as,
Can you end a sentence with because?
I’ve noticed an interesting usage where «because [noun].» is used at the end of a sentence to mean «because [… everything that word implies. Nothing more needs to be said]». It often has a wry or sarcastic tone that implies the subject considers the word to be a blanket explanation for something.
What does simple sentence mean?
Simple sentences are sentences containing one independent clause, with a subject and a predicate. Modifiers, compound subjects, and compound verbs/predicates can be used in simple sentences.
What is a better word than because?
Because synonyms
(US, colloquial) On account of the fact that: … In this page you can discover 39 synonyms, antonyms, idiomatic expressions, and related words for because, like: since, due-to, for the reason that, by reason of, as a result of, as, on-account-of, therefore, for, in-behalf-of and in consequence of.
Which used in a sentence?
Examples. “She ate three ice creams, of which her favorite flavor was orange.” “The boy was worried sick about the questions on his test, of which there were at least thirty.” “Margaret and Jonathan bought their cat, of which they were very fond, only the most expensive food.”
What type of word is because?
Because is a preposition that is sometimes used with no complement, sometimes (in the new usage that the ADS has just recognized) with an noun phrase complement, sometimes (much more commonly) with an of-PP complement , and sometimes with a clause.
What word is also?
adverb. in addition; too; besides; as well: He was thin, and he was also tall. likewise; in the same manner: Since you’re having another cup of coffee, I’ll have one also. conjunction.
What can I say instead of I in an essay?
Ways of Avoiding Pronouns “I”, “You” and “We” in an Essay. You can replace the pronouns ‘I’, ‘You’, and ‘We’ by replacing them with acceptable wording, applying passive voice instead of pronouns, Using a third-person perspective, adopting an objective language, and including strong verbs and adjectives.
What are the six sentence openers?
There are six sentence openers:
- #1: Subject.
- #2: Prepositional.
- #3: -ly Adverb.
- #4: -ing , (participial phrase opener)
- #5: clausal , (www.asia.b)
- #6: VSS (2-5 words) Very Short Sentence.
What are some good sentences?
Good sentence example
- It felt so good to be home. 729. …
- You have a good family. 395. …
- She is such a good seamstress. 450. …
- It was a good thing they were going home tomorrow. …
- It was all just good clean fun. …
- It meant a good deal to him to secure a home like this. …
- It would do no good to ask him why. …
- He had done one good deed.
How do I start my introduction?
Introductions
- Attract the Reader’s Attention. Begin your introduction with a «hook» that grabs your reader’s attention and introduces the general topic. …
- State Your Focused Topic. After your “hook”, write a sentence or two about the specific focus of your paper. …
- State your Thesis. Finally, include your thesis statement.
Is it correct to say the reason is because?
‘The Reason Is Because’: Redundant But Acceptable. … The fact is because does not always mean «for the reason that.» It can also be understood to mean «the fact that» or simply «that.» With either of these meanings substituted in the phrase, the phrase «the reason is because» makes sense and is not necessarily redundant.
How do we use because?
When we use because, we are focusing on the reason: She spoke quietly because she didn’t want Catherine to hear. We’ll come over on Sunday because David’s got to work on Saturday. We often put the because-clause at the beginning of a sentence, especially when we want to give extra focus to the reason.
What is a clause in a sentence?
1 : a group of words containing a subject and predicate and functioning as a member of a complex (see complex entry 2 sense 1b(2)) or compound (see compound entry 2 sense 3b) sentence The sentence «When it rained they went inside» consists of two clauses: «when it rained» and «they went inside.»