Make a sentences using the word because

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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One of the biggest issues, when you are writing an essay or an article, is using the word because too many times. This word connects two sentences and is called a conjunction. It helps present arguments, reasons and shows the relationship between two sentences. Of course, there are other words for because that have the same effect but can improve the stylistic outcome of your writing.

Why Choose Other Words for Because

Finding the right words to use instead of because can help you refine your language. It also prevents repetition in your vocabulary. When it comes to college papers and assignments, especially, good writing helps you earn better grades.

Sometimes, replacing the word because or eliminating it entirely can even help you manage the word count of your writing. This is crucial when you have to write shorter essays and make an impact with the content. You can use fewer words, be more direct with your messaging and keep the readers engaged.

The simplest way to prevent reusing the word is to use a direct replacement word for because. Here is a list of other words to use instead of because:

• As: She walked alone because as she had no friends.
• Being that: Because Being that he was late, he missed the beginning of the movie.
• Since: He became slimmer because since he started cycling regularly.
• Given that: Life expectancy has increased because given that medical care is better today.
• Now that: We started the show because now that the band had arrived.
• On the grounds that: Your story was rejected because on the grounds that it wasn’t suited to our theme.
• For: He did not perform well because for he did not study well.
• Since that: These flowers are expensive because since that they are rare.
• Considering that: Because Considering that he wakes up late, he will not make it at 6AM.

Words Like Because

There are some words instead of because that can be used when you are writing. However, these words cannot replace the word exactly. These words allow you to imply the same meaning of the sentence without using the word because. Although the following are more words for because, you may have to reframe the sentence for it to retain its meaning:

• So:

With because: I passed the test because I studied.

With so: I studied. So I passed the test.

• Hence:

With because: We left early because it was a long drive.

With so: It was a long drive. Hence, we left early.

• Therefore:

With because: Because she is tall, she can reach the higher shelves.

With therefore: She is tall, therefore she can reach the higher shelves.

When to Use Because And its Synonyms

The word because is used to point out the reason for an action. It is also used to connect sentences, hence serving as a conjunction. However, the various appearances or synonyms of because can’t be used just anyhow. Due to its various uses, Some are acceptable in an informal way while others are acceptable only in formal settings. In view of the facts stated before, check the following example

For example,

Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow will die

The use of for in this statement cannot be easily substituted for other forms of because.

If words like hence and as a result of were used, it changes the meaning as well as the grammatical accuracy of the statement.

Let us eat and drink, hence we die tomorrow

Let us eat and drink, therefore we die tomorrow

Due to the number of examples stated before, it should be noted that the various use of because and its synonyms must be carefully used.

Other Words For Because Of

Because of also signifies a consequence like the word because. However, it is a two-word proposition. The difference between ‘because’ and ‘because of’ is that the former is followed by a subject and a verb while the latter is followed by a noun or noun phrase.

For example:

He had to run faster because he was being chased by the dog.

He had to run because of the dog chasing him.

Here are some of the most common phrases or other words than because of that can be used to replace it directly in a sentence:

• Owing to
• On account of
• Out of
• As a consequence of
• As a result of
• Considering
• For
• For the sake of
• In view of

The Best Because Transition Words

Because and because of are known as transition words because they are able to connect two sentences. Transition words are used to make content more readable. Using because transition words help prevent overusing the word.

When choosing transition words that mean because, you need to remember that they must signify a consequence or a reason. You can connect two sentences effectively by using the following that mean because in other words:

• Forasmuch as
• Consequently
• Thereupon
• Under these circumstances
• As a result
• Thus
• For that reason
• For this reason

All the words to use besides because that are mentioned in the previous can also be considered transition replacement words for because. However, you need to make sure that the sentences are structured and used in the right format so that the replacement words are able to convey the same meaning.

Can You Start a Sentence With Because?

A formal sentence does not permit the use of because at the beginning of a sentence, owing to so many reasons. Inasmuch as it is in informal writings only, with the right use of prepositions, it is very acceptable.

However, owing to some reasons like the context of the word and the various synonyms of because. The word because and its synonyms can fit some forms of formal writing at the beginning.

In the use of because or it’s equivalent, Either a positive or negative outcome of using it at the beginning of formal writing lies in how the reader or the examiner views the writing.

Choosing Words To Replace Because

When you are choosing words that replace because you need to make sure that they are chosen correctly.  The goal should not be to merely pick words that mean because since you wish to avoid repetition. You need to take care of two more details:

• Avoid redundancy: Sometimes, you cannot just find words that replace because. You may have to use phrases. They tend to cause redundancy and unwanted use of extra words that can make reading less pleasurable.
• Increase readability: This is one of the primary goals of choosing other words instead of because. It helps you break down the sentences to make them easier to read. Because connects sentences but can also make them very complex.

Whenever you choose words for your writing, you need to think of making the text targeted effectively. Second, the content should be optimized for better reach and interest among readers.