[化学論文のための英語講座] 第14回：Because and While

(English version is here.)

以下の文は、原稿に出てくる間違いです。

Because of the tedious synthesis procedures.
While the former complex is deep red.

両方とも不完全な文章です。「Because」と「While」は従属節に含まれている関係詞であるため、主節が必要です。主節を入れた正しい文を見てみましょう。

This natural product remained scarce because of the tedious synthesis procedures.
While the former complex is deep red, the latter is bright orange.

従属節のみの表現は会話ではよく用いられます。一方で、文章だと正しくないので「because」か「while」を使う時は、主節を入れるよう注意してください。

次回は間違いやすい単語、RestとRemainingの違いについてです。

Because and While

The following are mistakes that have appeared in manuscripts.

Because of the tedious synthesis procedures.
While the former complex is deep red.

Both of these are incomplete sentences. In these examples, because and while are subordinating conjunctions appearing in a dependent clause, and therefore require a main clause. Let us form a complete sentence by adding a main clause.

This natural product remained scarce because of the tedious synthesis procedures.
While the former complex is deep red, the latter is bright orange.

Expressions consisting of only a dependent clause are often used in conversation. On the other hand, in writing this is incorrect, so when using because or while, please be certain to include a main clause.

Next time, We will discuss about the easy-to-mistake words, Rest and Remaining.