Connectors: because / though

Because / Though

Expected and Unexpected Outcomes

Because and though are listed as coordinating conjunctions in the dictionary . More commonly, they are described as adverbials
because they introduce an adverbial clause or phrase that modifies the verb of the main clause by telling "Why?" or "Why not?".

Clauses with Because vs. Though

AN EXPECTED OUTCOME			AN UNEXPECTED OUTCOME
Because joins one clause with a particular situation to another clause with an expected, predictable or logical outcome for that situation.			Though joins one clause with a particular situation to another clause with an unexpected, unfavorable or illogical outcome for that situation.
EXPECTED OUTCOME	CONJUNCTION	SITUATION	UNEXPECTED OUTCOME	CONJUNCTION	SITUATION
He wore his winter pants	because	it was snowing.	He wore shorts	though	it was snowing.
He put on a parka	since	he was cold.	He wore only a T-shirt	although	he was cold.
We can drive to work	now that	our car is repaired.	Let's walk to work	even though	our car is repaired.
Jack is guilty,	inasmuch (to the extent that)	he knew what the others were planning.	Jack isn't guilty	in spite of the fact	he knew what the others were planning.
The government raised taxes	for the reason that	it was able to pay its bills.	The government wouldn't raise taxes,	yet	it was unable to pay its bills.

Phrases

AN EXPECTED OUTCOME	AN UNEXPECTED OUTCOME
A conjunction expression is followed by a noun or noun phrase.	A conjunction expression is followed by a noun or noun phrase.
Schools were closed because of the snow.	Schools remained open in spite of the snow.
Due to the cold temperature, the pipes froze.	The pipes did not freeze in spite of the cold temperature.
On account of the bad weather, people stayed indoors.	People were out and about despite the bad weather.
Owing to the bad weather, mail service way delayed.	The mail is delivered regardless of bad weather.

Clauses

AN EXPECTED OUTCOME	AN UNEXPECTED OUTCOME
A transition word connects one sentence to another. A comma is used after the transition word.	A transition word connects one sentence to another. A comma is used after the transition word.
It was raining. For this reason, we moved our picnic indoors.	It was raining. Nevertheless, we went on a picnic.
It was sunny. Consequently, we had to wear sunscreen.	It was cloudy. Even so, we got sunburned.
It was bright. As a result, we had to wear sun glasses to drive.	The sky was overcast. Nonetheless, we had to wear sun glasses to drive.
The weather was delightful, so we went hiking.	The weather was miserable, but still we went hiking.

Initial vs. Mid-sentence Placement

INITIAL-POSITION CONJUNCTION (comma)	MID-POSITION CONJUNCTION (no comma)
If the adverbial clause is brought to the beginning of the sentence for emphasis, a comma is used to mark the change from standard word order.	If the connector is "sandwiched" between two clauses, no comma is used (standard word order).
Because we were cold, we went inside.	We went inside because we were cold.
Though we wanted to stay, he made us leave.	He made us leave though we wanted to stay.
On account of the frost, we put the car in the garage.	We put the car in the garage on account of the frost.

For more information, see: Using Commas

Adverbial Clauses vs. Phrases

ADVERBIAL CLAUSE	AVERBIAL PHRASE
These words are followed by clauses (subject + verb).	These words (mostly ending with prepositions) are followed by noun phrases.
Because we were cold, we went inside.	Because of the cold, we went inside. (noun) Because of our being cold, we went inside. (gerund phrase)
In spite of the fact it was 20 degrees outside, we stayed out..	In spite of freezing temperature, we stayed out. (noun phrase) In spite of the 20 degree temperature, we stayed out. (gerund phrase)
Since there was a terrible storm, we stayed home.	Due to the terrible storm, we stayed home. (noun phrase) Due to there being a terrible storm, we stayed home. (awkward)
Because we forgot to pack snow clothes, we were cold.	Owing to our poor judgment, we were cold. (noun phrase) Owing to our forgetting to pack snow clothes, we were cold. (gerund phrase)
Because the runways were covered with snow, airplanes were grounded.	On account of snow-covered runways, airplanes were grounded. On account of the runways being covered with snow, airplanes were grounded.
Though the runways were covered with snow, the airplanes took off.	Despite snow-covered runways, the airplanes took off. Despite the runways being covered with snow, the airplanes took off.
Because the election is coming soon, news coverage of it is increasing. Pop-Q 10/12/08	Because of the rapidly approaching election date, news coverage of it is increasing. (Rephrase the clause.)

Pop-Q 8/22/2009

Reducing Clauses to Nouns Phrases

Removing Wordiness

Most Verbs

CLAUSE		SHORTENED TO A PHRASE
Clause with a subject and a verb.		Phrase with a possessive noun phrase: 1) change the pronoun to a possessive form; 2) change the clause to a noun phrase (or gerund).
they	are coming at five	their	arrival / coming at five
he	was driving without a license	his	driving without a license
she	spent her money on shoes	*[her]	spending all her money on shoes
he	reached his goal	*[his]	reaching his goal
the bank	closed	the bank's	closing /closure
the election	is coming soon	election's * If the possessive pronoun is redundant, it can be omitted.	rapidly approaching date (or rephrase it) the rapidly approaching date of the election

"BE" Verbs

CLAUSE		SHORTENED TO A PHRASE
Clause with a subject and a "be" verb.		Phrase with a possessive noun phrase.
the wine	was very dark red	the wine's	dark, red color (noun phrase) being dark red (gerund phrase)
she	was very tired	her	tiredness (noun phrase) / being tired (gerund phrase)
he	is very old	his [his]	advanced age (noun phrase) being old (gerund phrase)
he	had been frightened	his	fright (noun) [his] having been frightened
the bank	was closed	the bank's * If the possessive pronoun is redundant, it can be omitted.	closure (noun phrase) the bank being closed (gerund phrase)

Also see clause shortening with: Modifying Phrases1 (before, after, while, when, since) | Modifying phrases 2 (because – same time & earlier)

Common Mistakes

ERROR	FIX
"Because of it is coming soon news coverage of the election is increasing." Pop-Q 10/12/08	Because of the upcoming election, news coverage of it is increasing. Use a noun phrase after because of: the upcoming election (See Noun Phrases above.) Use the noun election in the first clause and the referring pronoun in the second clause. Always mention the noun first before using a referring pronoun such as it. (See Pronoun Adjustment above.)
*The skier wanted to compete though he broke his ankle. Unclear - How did he compete with a broken ankle? "Though" means he did. "But" means he didn't.	The skier wanted to compete, but he broke his ankle. (He wasn't able to compete.) Though the skier broke his ankle, he was able to compete. (He was able to compete - a miracle!)
*Since its March, its raining here. The meaning for "since" is unclear.	It has been raining here since March. (since = duration; from then until now) Since it is March (spring), it's raining here. (since = reason; rain is expected in March)
Due to it's raining here, we can't go. Due to it being rain here, we can't go. A noun is required.	Due to the rain here, we can't go. (Use a noun. No noun phrase available for "It".)

ERROR

FIX

"Because of it is coming soon news coverage of the election is increasing."

Pop-Q 10/12/08

Because of the upcoming election, news coverage of it is increasing.

Use a noun phrase after because of: the upcoming election (See Noun Phrases above.)
Use the noun election in the first clause and the referring pronoun in the second clause. Always mention the noun first before using a referring pronoun such as it. (See Pronoun Adjustment above.)

*The skier wanted to compete though he broke his ankle.

Unclear - How did he compete with a broken ankle?
"Though" means he did. "But" means he didn't.

The skier wanted to compete, but he broke his ankle.
(He wasn't able to compete.)

Though the skier broke his ankle, he was able to compete.
(He was able to compete - a miracle!)

*Since its March, its raining here.

The meaning for "since" is unclear.

It has been raining here since March.
(since = duration; from then until now)

Since it is March (spring), it's raining here.
(since = reason; rain is expected in March)

*Due to it's raining here, we can't go.
*Due to it being rain here, we can't go.
A noun is required.

Due to the rain here, we can't go.

(Use a noun. No noun phrase available for "It".)

Practice 1

New Car

Complete the sentence with the connector that fits the context.

#	COMPLETE SENTENCE WITH CONNECTOR	CHECK ANSWER
1.	I bought a new car I wanted a better one.
2.	I bought a new car I already have another good one.
3.	I sold my old car I don't need it anymore.
4.	I bought a car that has only two seats there are four people in my family.
5.	I bought a car that has only two seats I want to be able to use the carpool lanes.
6.	I like to drive it with the top down I sun-burn easily.
7.	The car came with an pod adapter I didn't order it.
8.	The cigarette lighter is useful you can plug accessories into it.
9.	Consumer's Report rated this car very high it is so reliable.
10	the car has had a few problems, Consumer's Report rated it very high.

Practice 2

Election

Choose the phrase or clause that best completes the sentence.

* Indicates an incorrect answer.

#	COMPLETE THE SENTENCE	OPTIONS
11.	Because , I will vote for him.	I like the candidate's ideas the candidate's good ideas
12.	The candidate won despite .	his lack of experience he had little experience
13.	In spite of the fact of the fact , she won.	the candidate is a woman being a woman
14.	The candidate lost the election even though .	winning the popular vote he won the popular vote
15.	Due to , he ran out of money.	the candidate was not well-organized the candidate's poor organization

Practice 3

Congressional Representation

Indicate whether the sentence needs a comma.

#	COMPLETE SENTENCE WITH PUNCTUATION	CHECK ANSWER
16.	Even though there are 1160 million hispanics in the U.S. not many are in Congress.
17.	Young hispanics want more representation because their issues need to be considered.
18.	Because English is the "language of the land" many people feel that all U.S. citizens should be able to speak it.
19.	Some people don't bother to learn English since everyone in their family speaks their native language
20.	Despite changes the system isn't perfect yet.

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