There are various types and kinds of conjunctions that are used in the English Language. Let us explore the usage of “because” as a conjunction.
“Because” is a conjunction and it is used as a way to provide reason or cause of a certain situation or circumstance.
Here are two examples of “because” as a conjunction-
Sl. No. | Examples | Explanations |
1. | He asked for another spoon because he dropped the first one. | The word ‘because’ in this statement can be termed a conjunction as it is used to join two clauses. |
2. | She was picked for the team because she is the best player.. | ‘Because’ in this example can be called a conjunction as it is seen linking two clauses. |
Let us take a deeper dive into “because” as a conjunction with the help of facts and examples.
When is “because” a conjunction?
Let us take a look at when is “because” a conjunction.
“Because” is a conjunction when it is used to link two clauses. Specifically speaking, subordinating clauses.
Here are a two examples of when “because” functions as a conjunction-
Sl. No. | Examples | Explanations |
3. | They finally bought the small cottage because they loved it so much. | In this case, the word ‘because’ can be termed a conjunction as it links subordinating clause of the sentence to the main clause. |
4. | The students cried because their favorite teacher was retiring. | In this particular case the term ‘because’ is also a conjunction as it links the second clause to the first one. |
How is “because” a conjunction?
Let us explore as to how “because” can be considered a conjunction.
“Because” is considered a conjunction due to the fact that that it helps combine two clauses.
Here are a couple examples of how “because” can be used as a conjunction-
Sl. No. | Examples | Explanations |
5. | We went to watch the ballet because it was the most anticipated show being put up in our city. | The word ‘because’ in this specific sentence functions as a conjunction as it joins two clauses together. |
6. | We reached early because we wanted good concert seats. | The term ‘because’ in this mentioned example is a conjunction as it joins the second clause to the first one. |
Is “because” always a conjunction?
Let us look into whether “because” always functions as a conjunction or not.
“Because” may not always be a conjunction. Sometimes it can be functional in different grammatical forms and that depends on its placement in a sentence and also on particular words that follow it.
Here are a two examples of “because” not being used as a conjunction-
Sl. No. | Examples | Explanations |
7. | My friends and I have not been in touch for two and a half years because of our extremely busy schedules. | In this case, the words ‘because of’ is a two-word preposition as it is used to mark the causal relationship between the second clause to the first clause. The usage of the word ‘of’ after ‘because’ tends to make it a prepositional term. |
8. | Because I got a better job, my lifestyle has also been updated. | Here, the word ‘because’ is an adverb as it is not used in the beginning of the sentence and does not combine the two clauses. |
When is “because” not considered as conjunction?
There are exceptional times when “because” may not be considered a conjunction. Let us explore that fact.
“Because” is not always used as it depends on when, where and how that word is placed in a sentence. “Because” can, in some cases, be used as a preposition and in some cases as an adverb.
Here is one example each of “because” functioning as a preposition and adverb-
Sl. No. | Examples | Explanations |
9. | We had to leave the school premises because of a pranks that the students pulled on the staff. | In this case, the words ‘because of’ is a two-word preposition as it is used to mark the causal relationship between the second clause to the first clause. The usage of the word ‘of’ after ‘because’ tends to make it a prepositional term. |
10. | Because she likes ice-cream, her father bought three tubs of it. | Here, the word ‘because’ is an adverb as it is not used in the beginning of the sentence and does not combine the two clauses. |
What kind of conjunction is the word “because”?
Let us explore as to what sort of a conjunction is “because”.
“Because” comes under the sub-type of a subordinating conjunction.
Here are a two examples “because” as subordinating conjunctions-
Sl. No. | Examples | Explanations |
11. | The most experienced worker will be asked to take over the assignment because the company needs the outcome to be perfect. | The word ‘because’ in this sentence as well can be termed a conjunction as it joins two clauses together, consequently making it a subordinating conjunction. |
12. | The college professors walked out because they wanted the higher ups to increase their pay. | In this particular example also ‘because’ is a subordinating conjunction as it links two clauses together, namely, the second one to the first one. |
Why is “because” a subordinating conjunction?
Let us try to figure why “because” is considered a subordinating conjunction.
“Because” is considered a subordinating conjunction as it connects a subordinating clause to a main clause.
Let us look at some more examples of “because” as conjunctions for better understanding-
Sl. No. | Examples | Explanations |
13. | The toddler called her mother because she missed her on the one-day field trip her and her dad had taken. | In this case, the word ‘because’ can be termed a conjunction as it links subordinating clause of the sentence to the main clause. |
14. | Our entire group went to the best restaurant in town because we had wanted to go there for months now.. | The word ‘because’ in this statement can be termed a conjunction as it is used to join two clauses. |
Examples of ‘because’ as conjunctions.
Let us look at a few more exampled of ‘because as a conjunction.
Sl. No. | Examples | Explanations |
15. | My son has been studying for hours now because his exams start from tomorrow. | The word ‘because’ in this sentence as well can be termed a conjunction as it joins two clauses together, consequently making it a subordinating conjunction. |
16. | The man bought a boat for himself because he won a good fortune with the lottery ticket. | ‘Because’ in this example can be called a conjunction as it is seen linking two clauses. |
17. | She quit her job because she wanted to start a business of her own. | The term ‘because’ in this mentioned example is a conjunction as it joins the second clause to the first one. |
18. | Mark wanted to become an architect as well as interior because it was his childhood dream. | In this particular case the term ‘because’ is also a conjunction as it links the second clause to the first one. |
19. | She asked for some loose cash because she only had her credit card. | ‘Because’ in this example can be called a conjunction as it is seen linking two clauses. |
20. | I love baking bread every Sunday because it helps me wind down after a long week. | In the written statement over here example also ‘because’ is a subordinating conjunction as it links two clauses together, namely, the second one to the first one. |
Conclusion
Hence, it’s proven that the word “because” more often than not is a conjunction, a subordinating conjunction at that, and in some cases can be used in different forms as well.
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