GED Reasoning Through Language ArtsLanguage Conventions and UsageMedium
A student is writing an email to a professor and needs to use the correct word for showing cause or reason. Which sentence correctly uses 'because'?
- AI was late, it was because the bus broke down.
- BI was late, because the bus broke down.
- CBecause the bus broke down, I was late.
- DThe reason I was late is because the bus broke down.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Because the bus broke down, I was late.
'Because' introduces a subordinate clause that explains the cause or reason for the main clause. When the 'because' clause comes first, it should be followed by a comma. When it comes after the main clause, a comma is usually not needed unless the 'because' clause is non-essential. Option B correctly uses 'Because' at the beginning of the sentence, followed by a comma, to clearly state the reason.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. This creates a comma splice or run-on sentence; 'it was because' is redundant and grammatically awkward after a comma.
- B. A comma is generally not needed before 'because' when the 'because' clause is essential to the meaning of the main clause.
- D. This creates a redundant construction ('The reason...is because'). 'The reason I was late is that the bus broke down' or simply 'I was late because the bus broke down' would be correct.
Using 'Because'
'Because' is a subordinating conjunction used to introduce a clause that explains the reason or cause of something. It connects a dependent clause to an independent clause.
- Introduces a reason or cause
- Always starts a dependent clause
- If 'because' clause comes first, use a comma after it
- If 'because' clause comes last, usually no comma needed
- Avoid 'the reason is because' construction
Memory trick: Because explains 'why' like a key to a lock.