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because

because

1.0
To give the reason for something
  • subordinating conjunction
  • /bɪˈkɔz/
translation icon : porque
  • He decided to leave early because he had an important meeting.
  • important because
  • just because
  • precisely because

But don't stop watching because there is a twist.

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Examples

  • Some soup would be nice because I'm super sick.

  • "You can't ask yourself why this happened, because it will make you crazy," Lexi says.

    Academic text (2011)
  • I want to talk to you because I need you.

  • Not for you, but because it's the right thing to do.

  • But I am going back out there because it's my job.

  • Most states and local authorities comply because they can rarely afford to lose federal funding.

    Academic text (2011)
  • The human mind is free because we have free wills.

  • Well, the main reason is because I don't like it.

  • You want this movie to sell because that's what people know.

  • Meanwhile, modern dynamic languages are growing in popularity because they so effectively facilitate rapid development.

    Academic text (2011)

Synonyms

since
vsbecause
1.0

Because one thing is the reason for another

is the more basic way to introduce a reason
what with
vsbecause
42 6.7

To give reasons that together explain why something happens

introduces a single direct reason rather than multiple causes
inasmuch as
vsbecause
  • Formal
5 6.6

To give a reason, like because

is used more generally just to state a reason
cuz
vsbecause
  • Slang
2 9.9

An informal word people use instead of because in speech or casual writing

is the standard neutral form used in many contexts
forasmuch
vsbecause
  • Archaic
9.9

Gives a reason in older or formal English

is the modern everyday way to give reasons
when
vsbecause
1.0

To introduce a clause that gives a reason for something

normally indicates time, not reason or cause

Compounds

1.0

For a reason that explains why something happened

How Informal

cuz
  • Slang
2 9.9
because
1.0

Surface Forms

because main

Etymology

Because comes from the old phrase by + cause, which meant 'for the cause' or 'for this reason'. So, because now introduces the reason for something.