More EXPERT GRAMMAR help needed.?

Question

Does the following rule regarding the use of commas with the word "because" apply to other dependent marker words like "as"?

Rule:
Dr. Kern, Writing Workshop
"Because clauses" are essential or nonessential, depending on
closeness of relation.
ESSENTIAL:
"She left because she had another appointment. (Here the reason
expressed by the “because”-clause is essential to complete the
meaning, and so it is not separated from the independent clause with a
comma.)"
NONESSENTIAL:
"I need to have two copies of the final report by 5:30 tomorrow,
because I am leaving for Chicago on a 7:30 flight. (Here the meaning
of the main clause is complete; the reason expressed in the because
clause offers additional but nonessential information. This
non-essential “because”-clause must be separated from independent
clause by a comma.) "

As I understand it, commas don't *usually* precede dependent marker words due to the IC DC rule.

Answer 1

Yes, the rule applies to all dependent clause marker words. The most used are:

after, although, as, as if, because, before, even if, even though, if, in order to, since, though, unless, until, whatever, when, whenever, whether, and while.


You will see both 'because' and 'as' in the list.

Common independent clause markers are:

also, consequently, furthermore, however, moreover, nevertheless, and therefore.