Adverb Clauses of Reason

Adverb clauses of reason answer the question, WHY Adverb clauses of reason usually start with the subordinate conjunction -- because Read and study these questions and answers. (Adverb clauses of reason are usually after the main clause of a sentence, and there must be a subject and a verb after because.) Why did Melissa go to college? (What was her reason for going to college?) Melissa went to college because she wanted to study chemistry. Why was Dr. Sarda in trouble? (What was the reason for Dr. Sardas troubles?) Dr. Sarda was in trouble because she prescribed the wrong medicine. Why did Melissa study chemistry? (What was her reason for studying chemistry?) Melissa studied chemistry because she wanted to work in a drug research lab. Why should people exercise? (For what reasons should people exercise?) People should exercise because it will help them stay healthy and in shape. Be careful. Do not confuse subordinate conjunctions and prepositions. The grammar is different. Subordinate Conjunction of Reason because Prepositions of Reason because of in order to; to due to owing to as a result of

Prepositional phrases - Examples Melissa went to college in order to study chemistry. (no subject and verb after in order to) Melissa went to college to study chemistry. (no subject and verb after to) Dr. Sarda was in trouble because of prescribing the wrong medicine. (no subject and verb after because of) Dr. Sarda was in trouble due to prescribing the wrong medicine. (no subject and verb after due to)

Practice 1: Prepositions and Subordinate Conjunctions

Directions: Compare each pair of sentences and tell if the bold parts in these sentences are prepositional phrases (PP) or dependent (subordinate) clauses (SC). 1. _________ John visited his friend because they needed to discuss their homework.

2. _________ John visited his friend because of their homework assignment. 3. _________ Because computers were stolen from the lab, the police questioned students. 4. _________ Police questioned students because of the theft. 5. _________ Because of her good work, Melissa got the job. 6. _________ Melissa got the job because she had excellent grades and participated in many activities.

Note: Other prepositions like because of are due, to, owing to, as a result of, and due to. These prepositions are more formal than because of.

Tell which sentences are correct (YES) and which are not correct (NO).

7. _________ John visited his friend because their homework assignment. 8. _________ As a result of her college record, Melissa got the job. 9. _________ Due to John told the truth, he was not arrested. 10. _________ Because John told the truth, he was not arrested.

[Answers]

Practice 2: Subordinate Conjunctions in Clauses of Reason

(Use after Rosewood, Part 2)

Directions: Combine these sentences. a. Put the clauses in order b. Add because c. Use a pronoun when repeating the same subject or object in the second clause Example: The students want to improve their skills. The students are taking a writing course. Answer: The students are taking a writing course because they want to improve their skills. 1. Something awful happened to Fanny. Fanny was screaming. _________________________________________________________________________. 2. Philomena heard Fanny crying. Philomena went into the house. _________________________________________________________________________. 3. Sarah and Philomena did not help Fanny. Sarah and Philomena were scared. _________________________________________________________________________. 4. The white people thought a black man beat Fanny. The white people were angry. _________________________________________________________________________. 5. White people in Sumner did not respect black people. White people in Sumner thought they were better than black people. _________________________________________________________________________. 6. The people were hurting Aaron. The sheriff tried to stop the white mob. _________________________________________________________________________. 7. The angry mob hung Sam. The people thought Sam was responsible for Fannys rape. _________________________________________________________________________. [Answers]

Practice 3: Subordinate Conjunctions in Clauses of Reason

(Use after Rosewood, Part 2)

Directions: Complete these sentences using because adverb clauses. Example: We are in this course because we want to improve our writing skills. 1. Fanny had a badly bruised back and was in pain because ____________________________ _________________________________________________________________________. 2. Sarah advised Philomena to get out of the Fannys house because ______________________ __________________________________________________________________________. 3. Sarah said she saw nothing because _____________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________. 4. Fanny runs out of her house because _____________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________. 5. The men used dogs because ____________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________. 6. The dogs smelled the mans scent on Aaron because _______________________________ __________________________________________________________________________. [Answers]