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Anonymous Posted 18 years ago
Grammar

now that

Hi,

"Since you are unable to answer, perhaps we should ask someone else."
Is it fine if I replace 'since' with the following expressions?
For example:
1.As you are unable to answer, perhaps we should ask someone else.
2.Now that you are unable to answer, perhaps we should ask someone else.
3.Given that you are unable to answer, perhaps we should ask someone else.

Do they all mean the same above?

Can we use the expressions in the past?
For example:
Since/As/Now that/Given that he needed your help, you should have helped him.
Thanks very much.
  

Top answer

As is fine, Now suggests that there were able to but now aren't, and Given isn't normally used with the 2nd person. I can't think of a reason, it just seems rather odd to me (I'm British). In the last sentence 'Now that' doesn't work, the others do.

— Jarry1

  • As is fine, Now suggests that there were able to but now aren't, and Given isn't normally used with the 2nd person.
  • I can't think of a reason, it just seems rather odd to me (I'm British).
  • In the last sentence 'Now that' doesn't work, the others do.
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9 Answers
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As is fine, Now suggests that there were able to but now aren't, and Given isn't normally used with the 2nd person. I can't think of a reason, it just seems rather odd to me (I'm British).

In the last sentence 'Now that' doesn't work, the others do.
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Hi Jarry1,

Thank you very much for your help.

Do you mean all the three expressions since, as and given that mean the same in the following sentence or is there subtle difference? And do you mean 'now that' can't be used in the past?

"Since/As//Given that he needed your help, you should have helped him."

Thanks very much.
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since, as, and given that are all possible, in both present and past, with the same meaning. Not now that.
CJ
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Hi CJ,
Many thanks for your answer.
I have two more questions as follows:

1.We can't use 'now that' in the past, right?

2."Now that Dave has arrived, we can begin."

"Since/As/Given that Dave has arrived, we can begin."

What is the difference in meaning between 'now that' and 'since' here?

Thank you very much.
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1.We can't use 'now that' in the past, right?
Wrong. now can mean at this point in the story.
Now that Henry had finished his training, he was ready to begin his career.
Now that Lucy knew the truth, she felt better about what had happened.
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Anonymous2.Now that you are unable to answer, perhaps we should ask someone else.
In view of my post above, let's go over this example once again.
The reason you can't use now that in this pattern is that now that suggests an accomplishment. It makes no sense to think of an inability as an accomplishment. No one tries to be unable t
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Hi CJ,

I really appreciate your very helpful reply. I have some more questions here:

1.Can 'given that' be used with the 1st preson? For example:

"Given that I'm free now, I can help you with your homework."

2.Doesn't 'now that' work in the sentence here because 'he needed your help' is not an accomplishment?
"Now that he needed your help, you should have he
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1.Can 'given that' be used with the 1st preson? Yes. For example:
"Given that I'm free now, I can help you with your homework." Fine.

2.Doesn't 'now that' fail to work in the sentence here because 'he needed your help' is not an accomplishment?
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Hi CJ,

Thank you very much for helping me clear them up.
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