since or because

Question

I am wondering which to use.For example,1. I took an umbrella because it was raining.   2. I took an umbrella since it was raining.Is there any difference between these?I have another question.  when i ask question which is better?1. Is there any difference?2. Are there any differences?countable and non countable,  very complicated.

BarbaraPA · Accepted Answer

If you do a search on this site on the difference between "since" and "because," you will find that some people think they have different meanings and that you should use "since" only when you want to refer to time. (Like, I've been coming here since 1984.)

However, to the average listener (American, anyway), "because it was raining" and "since it was raining" will be perceived as identical.

Regarding the difference/differences, it depends if you thing there should be more than one TYPE of difference. Take my two daughters -- there are so many differences between them: looks, personalities, hobbies, etc. On the other hand, take a rare hamburger and a well-done hamburger - the only difference in how you make one versus the other is how long the meat is cooked.

CalifJim · Answer

because is more related to causality; since is more related to giving a sensible reason for acting. The two are nearly the same in many contexts - like your "raining" example - and different in other contexts. Wherever causality is the key factor, only because sounds correct. When some idea like may as well ... given that is present, since sounds correct. Stated differently, the facts of the since clause give someone a reasonable motive for acting out the situation in the main clause.

The motor started because I turned the key. (Sounds fine. The turning of the key caused the motor to start.)
The motor started since I turned the key. (Sounds odd. The motor didn't say, "Well, I may as well start, given that the key is turned." Typically with inanimate causation, since doesn't work well.)

I picked up a few things at the supermarket because I was in the area getting gas anyway. (Sounds all right, but it may suggest more causality than necessary. Being in the same area would not actually cause you to make a trip to the supermarket, except indirectly.)
I picked up a few things at the supermarket since I was in the area getting gas anyway. (Sounds fine. Given that you were in the area where both the gas station and the supermarket are located, you may as well have visited both to get the necessary tasks done.)

Since you're already in the kitchen, could you bring me a glass of water? (Sounds fine. Given that you are already there where it is convenient for you to bring water, you may as well bring the water.)
Because you're already in the kitchen, could you bring me a glass of water? (Sounds odd. Being in the kitchen does not cause a person to do favors for another.)

Just a side note. Personally, I find myself placing since clauses before the main clause and because clauses after the main clause.

Since X, Y. X because Y.

CJ

Ocsenttdd · Answer

Hi CalifJim;

Now that your explaination is very clear, I can distinguish them seperately.

May I ask you a question. I know that "as" also means "for the reason that", so it looks like the same meaning with "since" and "because". Please help me to distinguish three of them again, thank you so much.

CalifJim · Answer

ocsenttddI know that "as" also means "for the reason that", so it looks like the same meaning with "since" and "because".

All my remarks about "since" apply to "as". You can treat those two the same way.

Personally, I do not use "as" in that meaning. I prefer "since". But the two are equivalent in that context.

CJ

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