Glossary of Usage: B
basically beside, besides (is) because, the reason is because better, had better because between, among being, being that bond, bind G1: write the rule. Do not just write "G" or "Glossary of usage" in your corrections. Find the appropriate section in the alphabetized list below, read it, write the rule (or a short version of the rule), and correct the error.
basically: usually meaningless.
(is) because, the reason is because: avoid using because after is. There are two simple ways to correct such errors:
WRONG: The reason he is absent is because he is sick.
RIGHT: He is absent because he is sick.
RIGHT: The reason he is absent is that he is sick.
A clause beginning with because or how acts as an adverb (in the example, it modifies absent). The linking verb is requires a complement; it must, therefore, be followed by a noun or adjective phrase.
because: be careful to specify exactly what causes what. The error occurs in essays about literature when writers are drawing conclusions from evidence:
WRONG: Jim is superstitious because he believes in signs.
The writer was thinking, "Jim believes in signs. Because he does, I know he is superstitious." However, the writer's sentence mistakes the effect (belief in signs) for the cause. Do not rely on "This shows that" or "meaning that" to correct the error:
RIGHT BUT MECHANICAL: Jim believes in signs. This shows that he is superstitious.
BETTER: Jim is a superstitious man who believes in signs.
being, being that: redundant when used as a participial modifier to imply because:
WRONG: Being young, I could not understand my parents' worries.
RIGHT: I was too young to understand my parents' worries.
WRONG: Being that it's late, I'm tired.
RIGHT: Because it's late, I'm tired.
beside, besides: beside means "next to"; besides means "except" or "in addition."
There is a deserted house beside the road.
No state besides Nebraska has a unicameral legislature.
She's everything I want in a woman: bright, charming, beautiful. Besides, she's rich.
better, had better:
WRONG: I better go.
RIGHT: I had better go.
between, among: use among for three or more things, between for two. It is illogical to talk about "equality among the sexes."
bond, bind: prefer bind as a verb meaning "tie together"; its past tense and past participle are bound. Use bond as a noun meaning "something that ties things together." "Bonding" is pop psychology jargon; avoid it.
JARGON: They bonded in childhood. Childhood memories bonded them.
RIGHT: Childhood memories bound them in friendship.
RIGHT: Childhood memories created bonds of friendship.