Читать книгу The Century Handbook of Writing - Garland Greever - Страница 11

5. A simple statement of fact may be completed by a because clause.

 Right: I am late because I was sick.

But a statement containing the reason is must be completed by a that clause.

 Wrong: The reason I am late is because I was sick. [The "reason" is not a "because"; the "reason" is the fact of sickness.]

 Right: The reason I am late is that I was sick.

Because, the conjunction, may introduce an adverbial clause only.

 Wrong: Because a man wears old clothes is no proof that he is poor. [A because clause cannot be the subject of is.]

 Right: The fact that a man wears old clothes is no proof that he is poor. [Or] The wearing of old clothes is not proof that a man is poor.

Note.—Because of, owing to, on account of, introduce adverbial phrases only. Due to and caused by introduce adjectival phrases only.

 Wrong: He failed, due to weak eyes. [Due is an adjective; it cannot modify a verb.]

 Right: His failure wasdue tocaused bybecause ofweak eyes.

 Right: He failedowing toon account ofweak eyes.

Exercise:

1 The reason why I would not buy a Ford car is because it is too light.

2 My second reason for coming here is because of social advantages.

3 Because John is rich does not make him happier than I.

4 Because I like farming is the reason I chose it.

5 The only reason why vegetation does not grow here is because of the lack of water.