ALOTT5MA FRIDAY GRAMMAR RODEO SPECIAL BELATED 11TH BLOGIVERSARY WEDNESDAY EDITION: Gee, thanks, Internet: you've turned because into a preposition. It's wrong, because ... rules?
I find myself using the "Because reasons" phrasing a lot, but I've never considered the word because a preposition, largely since it's an understood [of]. Sort of like if you gave a command, there's an understood [You]. Since there's an understood "because [of] reasons," I'm not sure that makes it a whole new use. Or does this get into the longlasting grammar/editing fight of "Is this how people use it or is this how it should be?"
The point that intrigued me most in the article was the idea that this structure is a shortened form of "because, hey, [noun]" -- which immediately made me think of the Jack Handey "Deep Thoughts" bit that ended "because, hey, free dummy." Sure enough, the internal link for that assertion takes you to a Grammar Girl post that explicitly makes the Handey connection. So thanks, Internet, because Jack Handey.
I find myself using the "Because reasons" phrasing a lot, but I've never considered the word because a preposition, largely since it's an understood [of]. Sort of like if you gave a command, there's an understood [You]. Since there's an understood "because [of] reasons," I'm not sure that makes it a whole new use. Or does this get into the longlasting grammar/editing fight of "Is this how people use it or is this how it should be?"
ReplyDeleteThe point that intrigued me most in the article was the idea that this structure is a shortened form of "because, hey, [noun]" -- which immediately made me think of the Jack Handey "Deep Thoughts" bit that ended "because, hey, free dummy." Sure enough, the internal link for that assertion takes you to a Grammar Girl post that explicitly makes the Handey connection. So thanks, Internet, because Jack Handey.
ReplyDeleteOh, and happy belated (now that I've actually read the post title)!
ReplyDeleteIt's no wronger than hearting things.
ReplyDeleteI'm taking this moment to declare that I'm glad you all are here, because blogiversary.
ReplyDelete