Updated on October 15, 2024
As vs. because vs. since vs. for: When to use these causal conjunctions
As vs. because vs. since: These are all part of a group of words called causal conjunctions. Their job is to introduce a subordinate clause and connect a reason to a result in a sentence.
That means you can use them all the same way, right?
Well, kind of, but not exactly. Despite the fact that these words have similar jobs (to introduce a subordinate clause), they’re not identical.
If you’re an English learner, you know that this can be the source of a lot of confusion. How do you know when to use “since,” “as” or “because” to ensure you have correct grammar?
Don’t worry—we’re going to clear a few things up for you. Let’s discuss the differences between these conjunctions and how to use each one.
The causal conjunction “because” is the most common and informal of the three conjunctions we’re discussing—and probably the least confusing too. Its typical form is because + subject + verb.
Here are some of its main features:
Example: “He was late for work today because there was a lot of traffic.”
The purpose of the sentence is to provide a reason for his lateness.
Example: A sentence like “I can’t come to the party because I’m sick” is a little more natural than “Because I’m sick, I can’t come to the party.”
Example: “Because our fundraiser was such a success, we can now afford to renovate the school gymnasium.”
Example: “Are you going to take a vacation because you’re so stressed out?”
Example: Speaker 1: “Why do you look so sad today?”
Speaker 2: “Because my best friend just moved to another country.”
Example: I’ve been shopping much less often because of the price of groceries.”
Here, the price is the direct cause and reason for not shopping too often.
When you use because as a subordinating conjunction, no comma is needed.
Although they’re not identical, “as” and “since” are used similarly, so we’re going to look at them together. These two conjunctions are both more formal than “because” and are slightly less strong when it comes to making a link between a reason and a result. Their form is as/since + subject + verb.
Here are a few more details:
Example: “My daughter is unhappy at school as her teacher is unkind to her.”
The purpose of the sentence is to highlight that your daughter is unhappy at school, which is the result of her teacher being unkind.
Example: “We’re looking for a house since we’ve outgrown our apartment.”
The focus here is on trying to find a house—the result of having an apartment that’s too small.
Example: “As I have an appointment this afternoon, I won’t be available to work.”
Example: “Since Christmas is next month, I need to start buying some gifts!”
Example: “He’s been in a good mood since he quit his job.”
Here’s why that sentence is confusing: It’s unclear whether this means “He’s been in a good mood from the moment he quit his job up until the present time” or “He’s been in a good mood because he quit his job.”
Example: “She smiled as she was eating her favorite meal.”
Does this mean that she smiled while she was eating her favorite meal, or because she was eating her favorite meal?
If you find that there is some ambiguity and your sentence might be misinterpreted like the above examples, try rewording it so there’s no room for misunderstanding.
The conjunctive word “for” serves as a connector, indicating a reason or cause in a sentence. Its typical structure involves “for” + subject + verb.
Similar to “because,” “for” focuses on providing a reason or explanation for a particular situation or action. However, it tends to be a bit more formal and less common in everyday speech compared to “because.”
Example: She chose to pursue a career in art, for her passion and talent knew no bounds
Example: The crowd erupted into cheers, for their team had emerged victorious against all odds.
Example: They dared to challenge the boundaries of human knowledge, for they believed that within the uncharted territories lay the answers to their deepest questions.
Although we’ve gone through the key features of these causal conjunctions, the truth is that the differences between them are sometimes not very obvious.
To get a good grasp of this topic, review the information above, try putting it into practice whenever possible and, whenever you’re in doubt, using “because” is a pretty safe bet!
Here are also some of the questions people ask about using conjunctions to connect clauses in English
In English, such clauses are introduced by subordinating conjunctions, such as “because,” “although,” “while,” and “if,” among others. These conjunctions connect the subordinate clause to the main clause, indicating a dependent relationship between the two.
Here is an example that shows cause and effect: “He is feeling unwell because he ate too much.”
In English, there are adverbial clauses, relative clauses, and noun clauses, expressing different meanings of dependency.
Adverbial clauses modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, indicating time, place, manner, condition, reason, or purpose. Relative clauses provide additional information about a noun. Noun clauses function as nouns within a sentence, often serving as subjects, objects, or complements.
Yes, you can start a sentence with a “because clause” if it is followed by an independent clause. However, it’s important to use proper punctuation and consider the logical relationship between the clauses.
‘Since’ acts as a preposition denoting a duration commencing from a specific moment in the past and persisting until the present (present perfect) or another past event (past perfect).
For instance: I haven’t seen Mike since July 14.
To link independent clauses in English, you use a coordinating conjunction like “and,” “but,” “or,” “nor,” “for,” “so,” and “yet.”
For instance: “She reads books, and he watches movies.”, “She wanted to walk, but it rained.” “You can have tea or coffee.” These conjunctions help create clear, cohesive sentences.
So, understanding the nuances between “as,” “because,” and “since” is crucial for effective communication in English. While these causal conjunctions all introduce subordinate clauses to connect reasons with results, they each carry subtle distinctions in meaning and usage.
“Because” is the most common and informal, emphasizing the reason behind an action and is often used to answer questions or provide explanations in both formal and informal contexts.
“As” and “since,” focus more on the result of a situation rather than the reason itself. These conjunctions can often be found at the beginning of sentences and are commonly used in written English.
While less common in everyday speech, “for” provides an alternative to “because,” offering a more formal tone.
Despite their similarities, it’s essential to recognize the differences between these causal conjunctions to convey your message accurately and avoid ambiguity.
By understanding their grammar, explaining the differences, and practicing their usage, you can effectively convey causation in your writing and speech.
