Where does the comma go when you use the word 'because'?

Answer 1

Remember, it is the sentence structure that determines punctuation, not the word. There is no word or phrase in English that requires a comma.

The comma goes before the word "because" in the event that what follows "because" is a parenthetical phrase. Here is an example:

--I guessed that I would use WikiAnswers to answer this question, because many of my questions have been answered on the site before.

Here, the ending phrase refers to why "I guessed" rather than why "I would use WikiAnswers." For instance, you would use WikiAnswers because the answers are of high quality, not just because the answers are there. The previous sentence is also a good example.

Commas are placed before coordinating conjunctions. Because is not a coordinating conjunction.

Commas are also placed between dependent and independent clauses when the dependent clause precedes the independent clause. When a dependent clause precedes an independent clause, a comma is placed between the two.

Commas also separate items in lists such as red, yellow, blue and green.

Commas also follow introductory clauses. In the morning, I will go to the store.

In the following two examples, the comma is not at all necessary, and it forces an unnatural pause.

-- I use WikiAnswers a lot, because many of my questions get answered on the site.

-- The bus was late, because there was an accident on the highway that caused a traffic jam.

The comma is necessary after the clause or phrase introduced by 'because' if the word begins a sentence. For example:

Because many of my questions get answered on the site, I use WikiAnswers a lot.

Because of your help, I made it.

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Answer 2

When 'because' introduces a dependent clause, the comma typically goes before it. For example: "I went to the store, because I needed to buy groceries."