Geoff,
As a trained rhetorician and linguist, I would say where you put
the “because” clause really does matter.
Since the last position in the sentence is generally thought of
as the most emphatic position, putting the “because” clause last emphasizes the
cause; putting it first emphasizes the result of the cause.
Marshall
From: Assembly for the
Teaching of English Grammar [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Geoffrey
Layton
Sent: Wednesday, April 13, 2011 12:32 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Punctuation Question
Craig
-
The reverse of what is equally true? What are you arguing here - that the
rhetorical meaning of a sentence can change depending on whether
"because" starts the sentence? That is totally off the
point. Re-read my post - nowhere did I argue against starting a
sentence with "because" - I know the rhetorical choices involved. But
you merely buttress this well-established point. That wasn't the
point. Instead, go back in your treasure trove and come up with
examples of what Edmonds was suggesting - namely, that there are awkward
examples of starting sentences with "because" - you have many more
resources than I do! Instead of flaying a dead horse, let's advance the
conversation!
You point out that "awkwardness depends on context" - this is
what I was trying to point out, and perhaps what Edmonds was trying to point
out - let's address that point! When is it awkward to start a sentence
with "because"?
Geoff Layton
Date:
Wed, 13 Apr 2011 12:14:35 -0400
From: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Punctuation Question
To: [log in to unmask]
Geoff, and all,
The reverse is equally true. Consider "Because you were
late, we lost everything" as opposed to "We lost everything because
you were late." Since losing everything seems a more important piece of
information, the first seems smoother (more congruent with meaning) to my ear.
It also allows for two pints of emphasis.
Introductory word groups of all kinds (anything other than
the main clause grammatical subject) are recognized as marked theme in
systemic functional grammar. They are intonationally marked in speech. They
function as a stepping off point for the mesage structure of the sentence. It
is not a trivial choice. Awkwardness would depend on context, not on some
arbitrary formal rule.
Unfortunately, English teachers tend to rely on hearing as
an alternative to grammar. Saying you should put commas where you hear the
pause is about as useful as "a sentence is a complete thought,"
dangerous because it oversimplifies. Intonation is a grammatical system, and
paying attention to it leads us into the heart of syntax--more appropriately,
into the heart of the grammar-meaning connection.
We don't just punctuate sentences--we construct them. The
punctuation should work in harmony with those choices. Most students don't get
very far on hearing alone. It is also one thing to know how you would say it,
another to anticipate how a reader would hear it on the basis of what you have
provided (or failed to provide) as clues.
Craig
On 4/13/2011 11:49 AM, Geoffrey Layton wrote:
TJ
- Not to quibble, but I think the emphasis was on "awkward," not
"incorrect," and starting a sentence with because can be considered
awkward depending on the useage.
Geoff Layton
Date:
Wed, 13 Apr 2011 10:38:37 -0500
From: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Punctuation Question
To: [log in to unmask]
Crystal,
Your
encouragement of your students is a matter of choice, but I don't see that
beginning a
sentence
with "Because" is incorrect.
tj
On Wednesday 04/13/2011 at 10:01 am, Crystal Edmonds wrote:
The
subordinating conjunction "because" is used to link the dependent
clause to the independent clause. I encourage my students to place such
subordinate clauses at the end of the sentence so that there are no errors in
comma usage. However, many students want to begin a sentence with
"because". While it is not incorrect, the sentence structure does
appear awkward.
Using
"for" illustrates students' sentence variety. That is important for
me.
C.
Edmonds, Chair
Associate in Arts
English and Humanities
Robeson Community College
PO Box 1420
Lumberton, NC 28359
(910) 272-3700 ext. 3362
(910) 272-3328 (fax)
[log in to unmask]
RCC 4 R.E.A.L. Reading Engages Active Learning
A
Quality Enhancement Plan at Robeson Community College
>>>
On 4/13/2011 at 8:52 AM, in message <[log in to unmask]>,
"Katz, Seth" <[log in to unmask]>
wrote:
Traditional lists of coordinating conjunctions included
"for" (hence the "F" in the acronym "FANBOYS"
for remembering the list of coordinating conjunctions); but it seems to me
that the use of "for" as a coordinating conjunction in English has
largely been succeeded by the use of "because." |
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