for/because

Question

People think I'm satisfied for/because I don't complain.
Prepare to get off for/because we are almost there.

Do both for and because fit in the above samples? If yes, are there subtle nuances? If not, why not? Thanks.

Yoong Liat · Accepted Answer

AngliholicPeople think I'm satisfied for/because I don't complain.
Prepare to get off for/because we are almost there.

Do both for and because fit in the above samples? If yes, are there subtle nuances? If not, why not? Thanks.

People think I'm satisfied because I don't complain.
People think I'm satisfied, for I don't complain.

Prepare to get off because we are almost there.
Prepare to get off, for we are almost there.

Either 'for' or 'because' can be used. If 'for' is used, there should be a comma before 'for'.

Yankee · Answer

This usage of 'for' sounds quite literary.

Angliholic · Answer

Thanks, Yong and Yankee, for your reply.

But to my amazement, you don't distinguish the meanings between for and because.

Yankee · Answer

Hi Angliholic

Another difference is that 'for' is used to explain something that has already been stated -- rather than simply to state a reason -- which is why the 'for' clause never appears at the beginning of a sentence. In other words, first you have to state something and only then can you use 'for' to explain what you've just stated. Using 'for' with the meaning of 'because' is rather like introducing a clause or a sentence with "you see".

You cannot reverse the order of your clauses if you use the word 'for', but you can reverse them if you use 'because':
- ~~For~~/Because I don't complain, people think I'm satisfied.
- ~~For/~~Because we are almost there, prepare to get off.

But, to me the most noticeable difference is the literary sound of 'for' when it is used to mean 'because'.

Neeraj Jain · Answer

I always prefer "because".

Angliholic · Answer

YankeeHi Angliholic

Another difference is that 'for' is used to explain something that has already been stated -- rather than simply to state a reason -- which is why the 'for' clause never appears at the beginning of a sentence. In other words, first you have to state something and only then can you use 'for' to explain what you've just stated. Using 'for' with the meaning of 'because' is rather like introducing a clause or a sentence with "you see".

You cannot reverse the order of your clauses if you use the word 'for', but you can reverse them if you use 'because':

- ~~For~~/Because I don't complain, people think I'm satisfied.
- ~~For/~~Because we are almost there, prepare to get off.

But, to me the most noticeable difference is the literary sound of 'for' when it is used to mean 'because'.

Well put, Yankee.

I get it now.

for/because

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions