English Has a New Preposition, Because Internet

"Because" is being used in novel ways these days. Why? Because Internet. Because language.

Linguists are recognizing the delightful evolution of the word "because."

The word "because," in standard English usage, is a subordinating conjunction, which means that it connects two parts of a sentence in which one (the subordinate) explains the other. In that capacity, "because" has two distinct forms. It can be followed either by a finite clause (I'm reading this because ) or by a prepositional phrase (I'm reading this because [of the web]). These two forms are, traditionally, the only ones to which "because" lends itself.

I mention all that ... because language. Because evolution. Because there is another way to use "because." Linguists are calling it the "prepositional-because." Or the "because-noun."

Cont...

http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/a ... 1/#because