As, since and because

Question

1) As it was raining, I didn't go out.2) Since it was raining, I didn't go out.3) Because it was raining, I didn't go out.Are all these sentences correct? In particular, I''m not sure about the use of "because" before the main clause: is it acceptable in this case? Thank you in advance

Usenet · Accepted Answer

[nq:1]1) As it was raining, I didn't go out. 2) Since it was raining, I didn't go out. 3) Because ... correct? In particular, I''m not sure about theuse of "because" before the main clause: is it acceptable in this case?[/nq]
All these sentences are grammatically correct.
The differences are those of idiom (i.e. time
and place). Case 3 is probably commonest.

Don Phillipson
Carlsbad Springs (Ottawa, Canada)
d.phillipson(at)trytel.com

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]1) As it was raining, I didn't go out. 2) Since it was raining, I didn't go out. 3) Because ... sure about the use of "because" before the main clause: is it acceptable in this case? Thank you in advance[/nq]
There are people (including some of the publishers who hire me as a copyeditor) who object to (1) and/or (2). All of them are very common & very old, however, and when on my own I do not regard any of them as incorrect. (1) and (2) do need to be used with some caution, however.

"As" is the least emphatic conjunction for giving a reason. It is IMO most appropriate when the listener or reader already has the information given by the clause.
"Since" is probably what most Americans these days would say & write. A lot of people overuse it. In sentences that contain dates or times, or otherwise remind the reader of the temporal meaning of "since", in can be jarring or even confusing, e.g., "Since he died in 1890, I didn't have to worry about infringing his copyright".

"Because" is the most precise & emphatic way of introducing a reason. I have never heard or seen any objection to its being used before the main clause.
If the clause giving the reason comes second, and you are writing formally, then "for" is another possibility. It is sometimes useful in that it is confined to reasons for believing the fact in the main clause, as opposed to causes of its taking place: "He could not have been in the office; for his secretary would have called me." It is, strictly speaking, a coordinating conjunction, and unlike the other connectives can begin a new sentence.

Joe Fineman (Email Removed)

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]There are people (including some of the publishers who hire me as a copyeditor) who object to (1) and/or (2). All of them are very common & very old, however, and when on my own I do not regard any of them as incorrect.[/nq]
Okay, anybody else think Joe was describing the people who object to (1) and/or (2)? I seriously puzzled as to what he meant by calling them "very common".

Evan Kirshenbaum

Usenet · Answer

"Don Phillipson" (Email Removed) ha scritto nel messaggio
[nq:1]All these sentences are grammatically correct. The differences are those of idiom (i.e. time and place). Case 3 is probably commonest.[/nq]
Thanks to all of you. The fact is that my teacher has indicated sentence 3 as incorrect , but I was really doubtful about it and I guess I was right...

Usenet · Answer

[nq:2]There are people (including some of the publishers who hire ... own I do not regard any of them as incorrect.[/nq]
[nq:1]Okay, anybody else think Joe was describing the people who object to (1) and/or (2)?[/nq]
Yes, I sure did. I tend to read things as written and then try to sort them out for what was really meant later.
[nq:1]I seriously puzzled as to what he meant by calling them "very common".[/nq]
I think he was referring to the sentences, or something, at least I hope so.
Skitt (in Hayward, California)
www.geocities.com/opus731/

Usenet · Answer

[nq:2]All these sentences are grammatically correct. The differences are those of idiom (i.e. time and place). Case 3 is probably commonest.[/nq]
[nq:1]Thanks to all of you. The fact is that my teacher has indicated sentence 3 as incorrect , but I was really doubtful about it and I guess I was right...[/nq]
Sentence 3 is "Because it was raining, I didn't go out." This is fully correct and idiomatic English and the most frequently used of the three sentences you originally posted. It appears that your teacher is enforcing a "rule" that does not exist. You are right. Your teacher is wrong.
I hope this does you some good.

Bob Lieblich
No doubts at all

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]Sentence 3 is "Because it was raining, I didn't go out." This is fully correct and idiomatic English and the most frequently used of the three sentences you originally posted.[/nq]
I would be more likely to say, "Since it was raining..."

John Varela

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]I would be more likely to say, "Since it was raining..."[/nq]
Me too, pace the toothless Bob.

Usenet · Answer

[nq:2]I would be more likely to say, "Since it was raining..."[/nq]
[nq:1]Me too, pace the toothless Bob.[/nq]
It was a single root canal procedure, and the tooth remains affixed to my jaw. I'm feeling much better, thank you.
All I can say is that I usually encounter "because" in the consruction under discussion. "As" is old-fashioned, and "since" is discouraged in some circles lest it suggest the passage of time.

I cannot support my observation with scientifically valid evidence (though I continue to believe it true), nor can I deny that some others may not choose the word that I think is the majority choice.

Bob Lieblich
Whose bite is returning

Usenet · Answer

[nq:2]Me too, pace the toothless Bob.[/nq]
[nq:1]It was a single root canal procedure, and the tooth remains affixed to my jaw. I'm feeling much better, thank you.[/nq]
You're welcome. So if not toothless, are you rootless?

As, since and because

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions