Looking for a grammar reference which would explain if it's ok to start a sentence with 'because' and/or 'since'. This is for a technical/professional paper. Thanks!
2007-01-23 05:50:34 · 17 answers · asked by curious1223 3 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
This would be correct:
"Because of the greed of the oil producers, gasoline prices will continue to soar."
"Because I said so." is incorrect.
2007-01-23 05:59:17 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Firstly, technical writing and professional papers are entirely different.
Yes, you can start a sentence with Because. Both of your words in question are called causalities; they link two subjects or compare two ideas or things. Because of the invasion of Mexicans entering into the US illegally, many hospitals are forced to close their doors. A better way would be to place "because" within the link but it is not taboo to start the sentence with this word.
2007-01-23 05:57:09 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can't start a sentence with "because" but you can definitely start a sentence with "since." For example:
Since going 12-0, the Chargers have lost 3 out of their last 4 games.
2007-01-23 06:00:50 · answer #3 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Because of the storm, I was not able to arrive on time. - this is question of style, perhaps not appropriate for a technical paper but it is good English.
Since the groundwork has been done already, we can begin the project tomorrow.
This last form would be more likely in a technical paper.
2007-01-23 09:13:40 · answer #4 · answered by Mr Ed 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, you can start a sentence with because (as long as somewhere in the sentence you include what the outcome will be and what the action that leads to that outcome is.) Ex. Because I have answered this question, you might have the answer you needed.
2007-01-23 05:58:00 · answer #5 · answered by Clarinetist 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No problem starting a sentence with because it does not break any rules of grammar
2007-01-23 05:55:02 · answer #6 · answered by shadouse 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There's nothing wrong with starting a sentence with "Because". As long as the sentence is gramatically correct, then there's no problem. My english teachers in Junior High always warned us that it wasn't gramatically correct. But in high school (I took honors english), none of my teachers talked about starting a sentence with the word "because" & when I'd ask about it they said "As long as the sentence is gramatically correct, it doesn't matter".
On the other hand, beginning a sentence with the word "But" cannot be gramatically correct. "Because of" or "Since" are fine.
2007-01-23 06:03:43 · answer #7 · answered by aussie_gurl118 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It's okay to start a sentence with either "because" or "since".
Amazon.com offers dozens of grammar reference books. Good luck!
2007-01-23 06:13:25 · answer #8 · answered by Hemingway 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Never start a sentence with because and since doesn't sound that great. if you have the word perfect program try checking the thesaurus. try due to or subsequently, as a result, after the fact, something along those lines
2007-01-23 05:56:14 · answer #9 · answered by lola1 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You could start a sentence with "because" or "since" as long as it reads something like, "Because it was snowing, the girl road the bus."
2007-01-23 06:10:38 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋