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JJDouglas Posted 10 years ago
Grammar
"Because" immediately followed by another subordinating conjunction
I know it is a subordinating conjunction itself, but can "because" be followed directly by another subordinating conjunction? I think the following are normal is informal speech, but I don't know if they are considered grammatically correct. When used in this way, I view "because" the same way as a coordinating conjunction, which is why I feel the need to put a comma before it.
"I sat down at the bar, because if I was going to spend my birthday alone, I wasn't going to do it sober."
"Some people are apprehensive about using the new technology in their cars, because as wonderful and amazing as these new advancements are, they have been known to experience faults."
"Well, let's just hope he sticks to those books and gets smart, because let's face it: he sure as hell isn't going to get by on is looks."
Are these considered OK? I would also be interested to know any alternative ways people would punctuate them.
Thank you.
"I sat down at the bar, because if I was going to spend my birthday alone, I wasn't going to do it sober."
"Some people are apprehensive about using the new technology in their cars, because as wonderful and amazing as these new advancements are, they have been known to experience faults."
"Well, let's just hope he sticks to those books and gets smart, because let's face it: he sure as hell isn't going to get by on is looks."
Are these considered OK? I would also be interested to know any alternative ways people would punctuate them.
Thank you.
Top answer
JJDouglas Are these considered OK? They seem fine and natural to me. JJDouglas I would also be interested to know any alternative ways people would punctuate them There are some, but they seem trivial.
- JJDouglas Are these considered OK?
- They seem fine and natural to me.
- JJDouglas I would also be interested to know any alternative ways people would punctuate them There are some, but they seem trivial.
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3 Answers
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JJDouglasAre these considered OK?They seem fine and natural to me.
JJDouglas I would also be interested to know any alternative ways people would punctuate themThere are some, but they seem trivial.
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Mister MicawberThere are some, but they seem trivial.Out of interest, would any of them include dropping the comma before "because"? That's what I was debating. I can't quite put my finger on it, but there is something about the sentences that seem to require the comma – maybe it's because what comes after seems nonessential.
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JJDouglas, would any of them include dropping the comma before "because"?Yes.
JJDouglasThat's what I was debatingDon't bother; someone will take issue with whichever you choose.
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