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! >