Recently, I have seen discussions that state that "because" is always a preposition. Can someone shed light on this idea? Thank you.
UPDATE:
The question that prompted me to post this question: Is "which" a preposition? Because because
I posted this question for several reasons:
1) I have seen this topic come up in comments before. I don't remember the original posts that led to the comments…perhaps another user can recall.
2) I could not follow all of the reasoning in the referenced article (Language log) and am hoping a user can bring the discussion "down to earth" for the rest of us mortals.
3) Language is not set in stone, and I have the feeling that other words will soon change use. I think it's important to see how people discuss the words that are changing and to understand these inevitable changes.
4) I think it would help us have a better understanding of ideas such as "preposition" and "Subordinate conjunction" and "conjunction."
Best Answer
Conventionally because is considered a conjunction, because it links (or conjoins) two clauses. The argument against its classification as a conjunction is that because operate like other subordinating or coordinating conjunctions but does operate like prepositions.
This post on the Language Log demonstrates that because is not a conjunction by comparing it to that (subordinating conjunction) and and (coordinating conjunction). I summarize the argument below.
Typical subordinating conjunction: that
Typical coordinating conjunction: and
Because does not act like conjunctions, and thus is not a conjunction. It does, however, act like prepositions.
Prepositions can introduce noun-phrases, clauses, preposition phrases, and nothing, depending on the preposition. Because has long introduced clauses and preposition phrases (with of) and more recently also introduces noun-phrases.