do you put a comma before the word because??

Question

FOR EXAMPLE .. While our society is trying to help the environment and abate the damage we have caused by embracing the use of biofuels, we will only cause more destruction because deforestation emits more greenhouse gases than fossil fuels.

and

Farmers will diverge from growing crops for food in order to grow crops for biofuels because they will be getting paid more per acre.

Answer 1

You can, but it's equally correct not to have a comma. In general, you should add a comma if a sentence is really long and difficult to follow, because they help break up the sentence into more manageable sections and improve readability. There is no instance in which you absolutely have to have a comma before because; it's all a matter of flow and style. However, don't forget that you should absolutely never have a comma *after* because.

Answer 2

Comma Before Because

Answer 3

As far as I'm concerned, both sentences look fine as is. The first one has the comma in the correct place, and the second one does not need a comma in the first place because it's a complete thought.

Answer 4

no comma before the 'because'.

usually, a comma implies that if the word or phrase offset from the body of the sentence by the comma(s) were omitted, the sentence would still make good sense.

Answer 5

I was never taught to put a comma before the word 'because', especially when it implies direct reason for the subject (e.g: I didn't go to school because it was raining very hard.' However, I do know that if you have long sentences, you have to break the thoughts in it somehow, so we use a comma. I don't know if what I know is right. Please enlighten me if you have another explanation! Thanks very much!

Answer 6

Check out the On-LIne Writing Worksho (the OWL) from Perdue. Has a great powerpoint on comma usage (and when not to use it). Very short, covers this question (no, no comma needed before "because") and many others.

Answer 7

I'm leaning toward no comma.

Answer 8

Both sentences look fine the way they are. Generally if the meaning is clear without a common you don't need one.

Answer 9

It is a rule that says that you never put a comma before the word "because."

Answer 10

In those two examples, you don't need commas after "because".