because
because
Pronunciation
/bɪˈkɒz/
bi-: /bɪ/
/b/ - voiced bilabial stop
/ɪ/ - near-close near-front unrounded vowel
-cause: /kɒz/
/k/ - voiceless velar stop
/ɒ/ - open-mid back rounded vowel (or /ɔː/ in some dialects, like American English /bɪˈkɔːz/)
/z/ - voiced alveolar fricative
Word Form Variations
"Because" is a conjunction and, as such, does not have variations for singular, plural, tense, or degree like nouns, verbs, or adjectives do. It remains the same regardless of context.
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Conjunction
Definition 1: For the reason that; owing to the fact that. Used to introduce a clause stating the cause or reason of something.
Synonyms: since, as, for, seeing that, inasmuch as
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms for a conjunction indicating cause; antonyms would relate to the effect rather than the cause, or a lack of causation, e.g., "despite," "although" if implying a contrary outcome.)
Definition 2: On account of; by reason of. Used to connect an action or state with its underlying motive or explanation.
Synonyms: due to, by virtue of, on the grounds that, resulting from
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms for a conjunction indicating cause.)
Examples of Use
Books:
"He did not know what he was going to do, because he had no money and no friends in the city." (Ernest Hemingway, The Old Man and the Sea)
"I know how I want to live. I know what I want to do. I know what I'm going to do, because I'm going to make it happen." (Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist)
Newspapers:
"The local council approved the new housing development, because it is expected to bring significant economic benefits to the region." (The Standard)
"Many commuters opted for public transport today because of the sudden fuel price hike." (Daily Nation)
Online Publications:
"Experts warn that climate change is accelerating, because global emissions continue to rise despite international agreements." (BBC News Online, "Climate Change: Why Global Emissions Are Still Rising,")
"She became a viral sensation because of her innovative approach to sustainable fashion." (Vogue.com, "The Designer Redefining Eco-Chic,")
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: "I did it because I love her." (Often heard in romantic dramas, e.g., The Notebook)
Television Series: "We can't go through with the plan, because the security system has been upgraded." (Dialogue from a crime procedural, e.g., NCIS)
Songs: "I'm a believer, I couldn't leave her if I tried / I'm a believer, because I believe in love." (The Monkees, "I'm a Believer")
Podcasts: "The company faced an unprecedented challenge because of the sudden shift in consumer behavior during the pandemic." (NPR's How I Built This, "Warby Parker: Dave Gilboa & Neil Blumenthal,")
Social Media:
"Feeling blessed today because of all the wonderful support from my followers! 🙏 #grateful" (Twitter post,)
"Tried this new recipe and it was amazing! You have to try it because it's super easy and delicious. 👩🍳" (Instagram caption with a food photo)
General Public Discourse:
"I'm staying home tonight because I'm feeling a bit under the weather." (Casual conversation between friends)
"We need to invest more in education because it's the foundation of our future." (Public speech by a politician or community leader)
"Don't touch that! It's hot because it just came out of the oven." (Parent to a child in a kitchen setting)
"I can't believe they won the championship; it's because of their incredible teamwork." (Discussion among sports fans)
10 Famous Quotes Using Because
"I am not free while any woman is unfree, even when her shackles are very different from my own — because I am not truly free myself." — Audre Lorde
"Do what you feel in your heart to be right — for you’ll be criticized anyway. You’ll be damned if you do, and damned if you don’t, because people always have something to say." — Eleanor Roosevelt (adapted)
"The most courageous act is still to think for yourself. Aloud. Especially because no one else can do it for you." — Coco Chanel (paraphrased)
"I raise up my voice — not so I can shout but so that those without a voice can be heard… because we cannot all succeed when half of us are held back." — Malala Yousafzai
"People are often unreasonable and self-centered. Forgive them anyway. Because in the end, it is between you and God — it was never between you and them anyway." — Mother Teresa
"I write because I don’t know what I think until I read what I say." — Flannery O’Connor
"You must do the thing you think you cannot do, because that's how you grow into the person you were meant to be." — Eleanor Roosevelt (expanded)
"They laugh at me because I’m different; I laugh at them because they’re all the same." — Kurt Cobain (widely attributed)
"I hated every minute of training, but I said, ‘Don’t quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion,’ because the pain is temporary." — Muhammad Ali
"I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character — because that is justice." — Martin Luther King Jr.
Etymology
The word "because" has a really interesting history that makes a lot of sense when you break it down!
Think of "because" as a combination of two older words: "by" and "cause."
In Old English (which was spoken hundreds of years ago), people used phrases like "by cause" or "for cause" to explain why something happened. So, if you wanted to say "I did this for the reason that...", you might say "by cause of this."
Over time, this two-word phrase, "bi cause," started to get used so often that it eventually squished together into one single word: "because." This happened around the late 1300s, during the Middle English period.
So, the first known use and meaning of "because" was essentially "by reason of" or "for the cause that." It was used to introduce the reason or explanation for something, just like we use it today. It directly points to the "cause" of an event or situation.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Because
Just because... (doesn't mean...): This implies that one thing being true doesn't automatically mean another related thing is also true.
Example: "Just because it's expensive doesn't mean it's good quality."
Because of...: Indicating the reason or cause for something.
Example: "We were delayed because of the heavy traffic."
Simply because: Emphasizing that the reason is straightforward or uncomplicated.
Example: "She quit her job simply because she was unhappy."
All because of...: Highlighting that something is entirely due to a particular cause, often with a sense of consequence or blame.
Example: "The whole project failed all because of one small mistake."
Because I said so: A phrase, often used by parents, to imply that the reason is simply the speaker's authority, without further explanation.
Example: "Clean your room! Why? Because I said so!"
The why and because of it: Refers to the full explanation, including both the question of "why" and the subsequent "because" answer.
Example: "I need to understand the why and because of it before I make a decision."
For the sake of argument: (Synonym for "because" in the sense of providing a reason for a hypothetical situation) Used to introduce a point that is assumed to be true for discussion purposes.
Example: "For the sake of argument, let's say we agree with their proposal."
On account of: (Synonym for "because of") Due to; by reason of.
Example: "The game was canceled on account of the rain."
Owing to: (Synonym for "because of") As a result of.
Example: "Owing to unforeseen circumstances, the event has been postponed."
Due to the fact that: (Synonym for "because") A more formal way of saying "because."
Example: "Production was halted due to the fact that raw materials were scarce."
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of because from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
