Interesting; I would not say that the latter is correct use of because--I
feel a step of logic is left out and mark it that way on papers!
Will you be at the conference?  If so, I'll see you there!

> ----------
> From:         Wanda VanGoor[SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
> Reply To:     Assembly for the Teaching of English Grammar
> Sent:         Friday, May 21, 1999 3:45 AM
> To:   [log in to unmask]
> Subject:      Re: Subordinating Conjunctions--and punctuation.
>
> This will probably only add to the confusion, but I've found it very
> useful in dealing with punctuating the "because" clauses.  If the
> "because" clause gives a REASON, no comma is needed.  If the "because"
> clause gives evidence (not reason), use a comma.
>
>       Mrs. VG has gone home because she became ill.
>
>       Mrs. VG has gone home, because her car is not in the parking lot.
>
> In the "evidence" sentence, one can mentally insert "I know that" between
> "home" and "because."  The comma takes the place of the "I know that."
>
> I've never seen it in a text (except my own!)--but it works!
>