Because ~ing?

Question

When using X, the chemical reaction goes better.In this case, is this When an adverb or a conjunction?Because using X, you could develop the research.(Because you used X, you could develop the research.)Can this Because work the same as 'When ~ing?' Is this Because ~ing weird?

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

SupercatWhen using X, the chemical reaction goes better.In this case, is this When an adverb or a conjunction?

'When' is an adverbial conjunction: 'when using X' is an adverbial clause.

SupercatBecause using X, you could develop the research.

That is not a possible sentence.

Supercat Is this Because ~ing weird?

Weird and impossible like that. If 'using' is a noun (in a different sentence structure), it is possible:

I don't like combs because using one pulls out my hair.

Supercat · Answer

Mister Micawber Weird and impossible like that.

Oh lol

Thank you!
'When' in that case is an adverbial conjunction, so we can use ~ing. Thank you for your nice answers!

BillJ · Answer

SupercatWhen using X, the chemical reaction goes better.In this case, is this When an adverb or a conjunction?Because using X, you could develop the research.(Because you used X, you could develop the research.)Can this Because work the same as 'When ~ing?' Is this Because ~ing weird?

When using X, the chemical reaction goes better.

I’d say that “when” is a relative adverb here, and the underlined constituent is thus a ’fused’ relative clause.

You can tell it’s relative because it can be paraphrased as the non-fused noun + defining relative:

“On occasions when x is used, the chemical reaction goes better”, in which ”when” introduces the underlined relative clause.

(Note: for those who call "when" a preposition in such examples, it would still be a fused relative construction.)

BillJ

Supercat · Answer

Thank you. By the way,

BillJ“On occasions when x is used, the chemical reaction goes better”,

Which is better, When using X or When X is used?
If that is:
When using X, you can make the reaction speed faster.
Who uses X? =you, I suppose.

But in that one, When X is used is better because the chemical reaction is referred in the following clause?

Because ~ing?

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