GEAR UP FOR LIFE

WRITING MENTOR: Showing Cause with phrases

Showing Cause with phrases: A phrase is a meaningful group of words that does not express a complete thought. A phrase may tell you something about a time, or place, or reason, but it doesn't tell you anything else. It is incomplete.

For example:

• in the morning (when-time)

• because of the weather (why - cause or reason)

• at home (where - place)

Click the projector to learn more -

A sentence expresses a complete thought. Notice how the phrases above become parts of a sentence, below.

• We practice in the morning.

• We stopped because of the weather.

• John has a computer at home.

Read a sentence from the American Colonies unit. It says, “The colonies won their independence because of the revolution.”  This sentence is really a combination of two ideas.  Each idea could be a separate sentence.  The reading could say,

The colonies won their independence.

The reason for winning was the revolution.

However, we Americans like to keep things simple. We combine ideas in order to not repeat ideas so much. We strike out the extra words and join the phrase to the first sentence.

The reason for winning was because of the revolution

The colonies won their independence because of the revolution.

Combine the following sets of sentences into one.  Use because of for the sentence that gives a reason.

1. The settlers were angry.  The taxes made the settlers angry.

ANSWER The settlers were angry because of the taxes.

2. The southern plantation owners had a quiet, rich life.  Their cheap workers made this life possible.

  ANSWER The southern plantation owners had a quiet, rich life because of their cheap workers.

3. England worried about the colonies.  Their unity scared England.

ANSWER England worried about the colonies because of their unity.  

4. Life in the northern colonies was hard.  The winter weather in the northern colonies was hard.

  ANSWER Life in the northern colonies was hard because of the winter weather.

5. The independent colonies got together.  The war with England united them.

  ANSWER The independent colonies got together because of the war with England.

Go ahead now and write 10 complete sentences of your own using because of.

Showing cause with clauses:  A clause is a meaningful group of words that is closer to a complete sentence. Like a complete sentence, it has an actor (someone or something that acts), and an action (verb, but it still doesn't have a complete idea.

Read the groups of words below. Are they complete thoughts? Do the words leave you waiting for more information?

• Because I didn't get my diploma

• Since I haven't made enough money this year

• Because the mail was late

If you decided that groups of words about were not complete thoughts, you get a PRIZE! The monitor is smiling at you. ;-)

Yes, the groups do have someone acting (I, the mail), but you still don't understand what the writer wants you to know. The groups of words above are clauses. They are more meaningful that phrases, but they are incomplete. Let's complete the sentences.

Now we have the complete picture! What did you notice about how the two parts came together?

Did you notice the comma?
,

You can also join the two parts without a comma by putting the clauses last.

• I have to study part-time at night because I didn't get my diploma

• I need to work through the holidays since I haven't made enough money this year.

• Marty didn't get the check in time because the mail was late.

Both ways are correct. Now write 10 sentences of your own using clauses.

More Practice

Look at the following sentence from one of the readings. “You will recognize the names of the American Colonies because they are now states.”  The sentence is really a combination of two complete sentences.

You will recognize the names of the American Colonies. 

They are now states.

Combine the following sets of sentences into one.  Use the word because for the reason.  Make sure that the because part keeps its subject and verb.   

 1. The plantation owners needed slaves.  The slaves made the cotton crop possible.

  ANSWER The plantation owners needed slaves because the slaves made the cotton crop possible.

2. Many people settled in the northern colonies.  These people wanted religious freedom.

ANSWER Many people settled in the northern colonies because these people wanted religious freedom.

3. We still enjoy many freedoms.  The colonists won these freedoms for us.

  ANSWER We still enjoy many freedoms because the colonists won these freedoms for us.

4. After 1680, indentured servants were not used much.  African slaves made indentured servants unnecessary.

ANSWER After 1680, indentured servantgs were not used much because African slaves made indentured servants unnecessary.  

5. The American Colonies were supposed to obey England.  The colonies belonged to England.

  ANSWER The American Colonies were supposed to obey England because the colonies belonged to England.