Make sentences with the word because

Can you start a sentence with because? Yes, of course, you can.

You probably won’t use it very often. But when you do, you need to be careful and make sure you use it correctly.

There is a simple way to check that your grammar is correct when you use the word because.

Just ask yourself if what you wrote is a complete sentence or a sentence fragment.

What is because?

In grammar, because is categorized as a conjunction.

It means a word that connects clauses or sentences or coordinate words in the same clause.

Common conjunctions you use all the time are for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and so.

You often see these types of words called linking words.

I think that is easier to understand.

They are the glue that links two ideas together in one sentence.

A conjunction or linking word expresses a connection.

It can mean addition, contrast, comparison, emphasis, time sequence, or reason.

When you use the word because you are expressing a reason.

Let’s look at how you can use it.

Indicating reason with because

We use the word all the time to connect actions with reasons.

You could write each part in a separate sentence. But it usually reads quite badly.

It rained. I forgot my umbrella. I got wet.

We can quickly improve it by using linking words.

For a reason, because, so, and therefore are the three most common words we use.

It rained, and because I forgot my umbrella, I got wet.

I forgot my umbrella, and it rained, so I got wet.

I forgot my umbrella, and it rained; therefore, I got wet.

When you use a linking word in a sentence, it’s easy to join your ideas together.

But what about at the beginning of a sentence?

How to start a sentence with because

The number one problem you will encounter when you start a sentence with because is that you will often create a sentence fragment.

It means that a sentence is incomplete because it is missing one of the two main elements: a subject and a verb.

Here’s a simple example.

“Why didn’t you go?”

“Because of the rain.”

The answer to the question is a sentence fragment. There is no subject or verb.

It’s so easy to fix this type of error. All you need to do is add a subject and verb.

“Why didn’t you go?”

“Because it rained.”

Once you know that you need a subject and verb, you can structure your sentences correctly.

This makes it possible to start a sentence with because any time you like.

Because it was raining, I didn’t go.

It is worth noting that in some cases, answering a why question with because, as in the first example, is not always incorrect.

However, it is more acceptable in speaking than in writing.

More ways to use because to start a sentence

The most common use in writing is using because as a subordinate conjunction.

It means that you connect a subordinate clause and the main clause.

Now you can avoid a sentence fragment by using because in a subordinate clause.

All you have to remember is to include a comma between the subordinate and main clause.

Because of the rain, I didn’t go to the picnic.

There are many ways you can use this structure, with or without a verb and subject.

Because of the salary, I decided to leave the job after only a few months.

Because I was on such a poor salary, I decided to leave the job after only a few months.

Because of the traffic, I prefer to take the train to work each day.

Because he is only five-foot-six, Jimmy didn’t qualify for the police force.

You can see how easy it is to start a sentence with because and be correct every time.

One small word of warning

I’m sure you know that when you use a subordinate and main clause, you can reverse the order of the sentence.

It’s an easy way to rewrite a sentence to add variety.

So I’ll change the order of the earlier example sentences.

I decided to leave the job after only a few months because of the salary.

I decided to leave the job after only a few months because I was on such a poor salary.

I prefer to take the train to work each day because of the traffic.

Jimmy didn’t qualify for the police force because he is only five-foot-six.

Can you see a minor difference?

Yes, the comma has disappeared.

When you start a sentence with the main clause, there is no comma before because in the subordinate clause.

Summary

There is no reason at all to avoid using a conjunction to start a sentence.

You can use any of them.

But you do need to be aware of the small traps that they can create.

As long as you check and make sure your sentences are complete and that they make sense, you’ll be fine.

But with because, make sure you follow it with a subject and verb.

If not, use a comma to join it to the following main clause.

Because you want to write well, I’m sure you will check carefully now.

Related reading: A Comma Before Because After A Negative Clause

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.)

Need More Help With Your Writing?

This post contains affiliate links. That means if you purchase through our links, you’re supporting The Write Life — and we thank you for that!

Photo via Lucky Business / Shutterstock