I never knew there was a day to celebrate grammar, but I’m sure you can think of any topic and there’s a day for it. I don’t always pay attention to these special days, but this one caught my eye, since as an author, grammar, good grammar, is what I live by. So, I checked this article in The Write Life written by Kathryn & Ross Petras.
The article has to do with whether it’s correct to start a sentence with “because.” Since it’s something that has bothered me a little, I looked at the examples they gave us and decided to compare them with the way I use “because” in my own books.
According to The Write Life , you can start a sentence with “because” but you must do it the right way. “Because” is a subordinate conjunction, meaning it connects two clauses, a subordinate clause and the main one.
They give this example:“Because I’m confused, I’m reading about starting sentences.” Correct, as long as you don’t split it in two. Then the first clause becomes a fragment.
Another example: You can start a sentence with “because” in dialog. “Why can’t I stay out late?” “Because I say so.”
Or if you’re using it conversationally, as happens in a lot of modern novels.
A quick search in my first novel Coming Out of Egypt revealed 41 instances of the word “because.” So,
I’ll let you be the judge. Look at my samples and see the ones you think and the ones you think may be questionable then drop me a line with your opinion.
- She’d gone to the hairdresser yesterday only because she had to look presentable for work.
- “I will give my mother only the fish broth because she can’t eat no dumplin’.”
- “Because Marva said so …”
- Because of the state of decomposition of the body, the ceremony was short.
- Some women stay with a man because they can’t do any better.
Want to know more about Coming Out of Egypt? Just click on the link or you can check out the special deal on my Smashwords page at https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/angie6 and use the coupon code WK23D to get your 75% discount. To find more great deals on books go to
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