Wednesday, November 20, 2013

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?

5 comments:

  1. MidwestAndrew9:36 AM

    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?"

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  2. Adam C.11:36 AM

    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.

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  3. Adam C.1:21 PM

    Oh, and happy belated (now that I've actually read the post title)!

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  4. It's no wronger than hearting things.

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  5. I'm taking this moment to declare that I'm glad you all are here, because blogiversary.

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