because and ,because

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Masa - 28 Nov 2009 09:47 GMT

Let me ask you about two sentences below.

1) The barometer has fallen, because it is raining.
2) The barometer has fallen because it is raining.

With the presence or absence of a pause, is there any substantial
difference in meaning?

I know there rises a substantial difference in meaning when they're
used in negative forms like:

1) He didn't go to work, because he was worn out.
2) He didn't go to work because he was worn out.

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Joe Fineman - 30 Nov 2009 23:12 GMT

> 1) The barometer has fallen, because it is raining.
> 2) The barometer has fallen because it is raining.
>
> With the presence or absence of a pause, is there any substantial
> difference in meaning?

In my book, (1) places the main emphasis on the fact expressed in the
main clause, and adds the reason as a comment. (2) suggests "because
it is raining -- not for any other reason as you might think".

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--- Joe Fineman joe_f@verizon.net

||: Economists will make excuses for anything that people :||
||: contrive to get paid for. :||

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Discussion Groups / English Usage / November 2009

because and ,because