Korean Job Discussion Forums

mswiftansan · Joined: 01 Sep 2005

I swear I was told over and over throughout my school life "It is not gramatically correct to begin a sentence with Because". I'm teaching in the public school system and our lesson includes. "Because he is sick." Is this ok to teach? I realize we say it, but we don't write it....do we?

pocariboy73 · Joined: 23 Jan 2003

"Because he was sick, he had to go to the hospital" is correct

Pyongshin Sangja · Joined: 20 Apr 2003 Location: I love baby!

It's an adverb clause marker, it expresses cause.

"Because he was sick, he had to go to school." is a perfect sentence. The main clause is "he had to go to school." "Because he was sick" modifies the verb "had to go" and is a subordinate clause.

"Because he was sick" is a sentence fragment, not a complete sentence. "Because" subordinates the subject and verb of this clause to a main clause, but there is no main clause. This is only acceptable as an answer to a question in spoken or casual English.

You can begin sentences with "when, while, as, during, because, since, whether, if, although, even though, despite."

You cannot begin sentences with "and, but, or, so." These are always found in the middle, joining a main clause to a subordinate clause.

Ya-ta Boy · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994

I would say you teach it as normal conversation style and stress it is not for formal written situations.

If you are only teaching speaking, I would get them to make the full sentence until they are so comfortable with it that it is automatic. Then let them use the short form.

Why didn't Johnny go to school?
Johnny didn't go to school because he is sick.

Later accept "Because he is sick".

ladyandthetramp · Joined: 21 Nov 2003

Hater Depot · Joined: 29 Mar 2005

Hater Depot · Joined: 29 Mar 2005

Here's one from the very next article:

Pyongshin Sangja · Joined: 20 Apr 2003 Location: I love baby!

Sure, it happens all the time, but they'll fail the TOEFL if they learn it's acceptable.

wwidgirl · Joined: 20 Mar 2005 Location: Seoul

-on the topic of using "BUT"--------

Most people believe they shouldn't start a sentence with a coordinating conjunction because their grammar teachers in grade school told them not to.

When grammar teachers teach youngsters the essentials of sentence structure, they most likely explain that coordinating conjunctions are used to hold together elements within a sentence. BUT, it can also be used to start a sentence.

"When you are writing in informal contexts and decide to start a sentence with a coordinating conjunction, always be sure that what follows it is an independent clause, capable of standing alone as a sentence."

http://www.sparknotes.com/writing/style/topic_17.html

Harpeau · Joined: 01 Feb 2003 Location: Coquitlam, BC

I would agree with PS here. Another thing to keep in mind is that in Canada we are taught in grade school not to ever begin a sentence with because, whereas in the USA it they are taught that it depends on the situation (see below).

plattwaz · Joined: 08 Apr 2005 Location: <Write something dumb here>

When I was younger we were always taught that as well -- "Never start a sentence with 'because.' "

In higher grades, we were taught that you can start sentences with 'because,' when it is used properly (ugh, can't remember the grammar term...clause marker?) As written above: "Because she was sick, she had to go to the hospital."

I do the same with my students. If they are young, and are just learning to make sentences, either spoken or written, I tell them they can't start the sentences with because. But, my high level elementary students who have excellent writing skills are taught the proper way that they CAN use 'because' to start a sentence.

I do, however, have dozens of students and parents whining that I am an evil wrong teacher who doesn't know what I'm talking about -- the Korean teacher who allows them to use 'because' to start a sentence is correct in this case. Evil or Very Mad

ladyandthetramp · Joined: 21 Nov 2003

coolsage · Posted: Fri Oct 28, 2005 3:45 am Post subject:

'Because you're mine (subordinate clause), I walk the line (independent clause)'. The language of music, the music of language. Subject matter for a very advanced class. Learn the rules first, then learn to break them.

VanIslander · Posted: Fri Oct 28, 2005 3:47 am Post subject:

Students are often discouraged from starting sentences with "but" and "because".
Why?
Because it's too easy to overuse the form.
But don't worry.
It's perfectly fine.

Privateer · Joined: 31 Aug 2005 Location: Easy Street.

Yet another example of an aspect of English that's really hard to teach because it's really hard to formulate a hard and fast rule that students can, robot-like, follow.

At least, that is, until they get into upper intermediate but only the minority ever will.

Or maybe it isn't really hard to teach? Is it just that TEFL instructors are up against all the weight of incorrect teaching in schools and common textbooks?