(bĭ-kôzˈ, -kŭzˈ)
conjunction For the reason that; since.
Usage Note: A traditional rule holds that the construction
the reason is because is redundant, and should be avoided in favor of
the reason is that. The usage is well established, however, and can be justified by analogy to constructions such as
His purpose
in calling her was so that
she would be forewarned of the change in schedule or
The last time
I saw her was when
she was leaving for college. All three constructions are somewhat less than graceful, however. • A favorite rule of schoolteachers (but curiously absent from the tradition of usage commentary) is that a sentence must not begin with
because. Sometimes, however,
because is perfectly appropriate as the opening word of a sentence, as in the beginning of one of Emily Dickinson's best-known poems:
“Because I could not stop for Death—/He kindly stopped for me.” In fact, sentences beginning with
because are quite common in written English. • Another rule states that one should not use a clause beginning with
because as the subject of a sentence, as in
Just because he thinks it a good idea doesn't mean it's a good idea. This construction is perfectly acceptable, but it carries a colloquial flavor and may best be reserved for informal situations. See Usage Note at
as1.
