Comma usage is a complex aspect of the English language. If you are wondering if you need to use a comma before becauseyou are not alone!
So if you need to use a comma before because?
You should not normally use a comma before because. However, if the absence of a comma causes ambiguity, a comma should be used for clarity.
In this article, we will explain this grammar rule and give examples of sentences that do and do not precede the word with a comma. because.
Is there a comma before “Before” or “After”?
Word because is a subordinating conjunction, which means that it joins a subordinate clause and an independent clause.
In most cases, you should not use a comma before becausebecause this type of sentence doesn’t need it.
For example, consider the sentence: “I stayed home from work because I felt sick.”
In this sentence, “I stayed home from work” is the independent clause, “I felt sick” is the subordinate clause, and because is a subordinating conjunction. You don’t need a comma because this sentence makes sense without a comma.
However, there are some situations where a sentence would be too ambiguous if you hadn’t used a comma before because. Let’s take a closer look at this possibility.
When to use a comma before “Because”.
The only sentences that need to be preceded by a comma because these are sentences that would be difficult to understand without commas.
One common example is a preceding independent clause because is a negative statement containing words such as no need, could notor would not.
Consider the following sentence:
- Bob did not do get good grades because his IQ.
This example is confusing because it has two possible meanings.
One meaning is that some other reason caused Bob to get good grades, for example, “Bob didn’t get good grades because his IQ. The real reason was because he studied very hard.’
Another meaning is that Bob’s low IQ is the reason he gets bad grades.
In this case, you need to put a comma before because: “Bob didn’t get good grades, because his IQ.” By creating a slight pause between two sentences, a comma helps clarify ambiguity.
Remember, any sentence that causes ambiguity makes it difficult for your readers to understand your text. If you have an ambiguous sentence, see if it needs a comma, a rewrite, or both!
When to use a comma after “Because”.
Use a comma after because much less common than the use of commas before because.
You should only use a comma after it because when you interrupt a sentence with another word or a clause immediately after the word because.
For example, consider the sentence: “Sarah does not like seafood restaurants, becauseas you know she is allergic to shellfish.’
Assigning a comma after because is to add a pause before the “as you know” interrupter.
If you are not sure, put a comma before or after becauseyou can run your entry through ProWritingAid, which will highlight the incorrect use of commas and help you correct them.
Examples of using commas with Because
Let’s look at some examples of sentences that use the word because. Those that include commas will have an ambiguous meaning if you remove the comma.
“Never say goodbye because goodbye means leaving, and leaving means forgetting.” – J. M. Barry, Peter Pan
“One beloved because one beloved. Love doesn’t need a reason.” – Paulo Coelho, Alchemist
“She refused to be bored mainly because she wasn’t boring.” – Zelda Fitzgerald A collection of works
“It’s really amazing that I haven’t given up all my ideals, because they seem so absurd and impossible to fulfill.” – Anne Frank, Diary of a young girl
“A good library is never too neat or too dusty, because someone will always be in it, taking books off the shelves and staying up late reading them.” – Lemony Snicket, Hell
“Opposites attract is a favorite trope of mine, so it made sense to start with that. Becauseof course, the thing about opposites: they always have a lot more in common than they think.” – Rachel Lynn Solomon, Today Tonight Tomorrow
Because Punctuation: Conclusion
That’s it: a complete guide to punctuation because. Here’s a quick summary:
- In most cases, you should not use a comma before because
- Use a comma before because if without it the sentence would be ambiguous
- Use a comma only after because when you add an interrupt
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