Because, Since, As

[gioro]

Hi, Everyone

Could anyone please explain the differences between these sentences?


1. Because it was raining she took an umbrella.
/She took an umbrella because it was raining.

2. Since it was raining she took an umbrella.

3. As it was raining she took an umbrella.

Thanks in advance.

[Raymott]

Hi, Everyone

Could anyone please explain the differences between these sentences?


1. Because it was raining she took an umbrella.
/She took an umbrella because it was raining.

2. Since it was raining she took an umbrella.

3. As it was raining she took an umbrella.

Thanks in advance.

There's no difference in meaning: "She took an umbrella -- the reason being that is was raining."

[gioro]

Um...If they are all the same, why do we need three different words in English?

[Raymott]

Um...If they are all the same, why do we need three different words in English?

Who said we did need three words?

[5jj]

Michael Swan has this to say:

as, because, since and for

All four of these words can be used to refer to the reason for something, [...] They are not used in the same way.

1. As and since
As and since are used when the reason is already known to the listener/reader, or when it is not the most important pasrt of the sentence. As- and since- clauses often come at the beginning of sentences.
.....As it's raining again , we'll have to stay at home. [...]
[They] are relatively formal; in an informal style, the same ideas are often expressed with so.
......It's raining again. so we'll have to stay at home.

2. because
Because puts more emphasis on the reason and most often introduces new information which is not known to the listener/reader.
.....Because I was ill for six months, I lost my job.
When the reason is the most important part of the sentence, the because-clause usually comes at the end. It can also stand alone. Since and as cannot be used like this.
.....Why am I leaving? I'm leaving because I'm fed up!
........(NOT...I'm leaving as/since I'm fed up!)
.....Why are you laughing? ~ Because you look so funny.

A because-clause can be used to say how one knows something.
.....You didn't tell me the truth, because I found the money in your room.
........(= ... I know because I found ...)

Swan, Michael (1980) Practical English Usage (3rd ed, 2005.73), Oxford: OUP

[emsr2d2]

Um...If they are all the same, why do we need three different words in English?

They don't always mean the same thing. Sometimes they an be used interchangeably, sometimes only one of them is appropriate. As always, context is vital.

[TheParser]

Um...If they are all the same, why do we need three different words in English?

NOT A TEACHER


(1) As the other posters have told you, there is often a nuanced difference.

(2) Here is an example that I like (it may or may not be correct):

Let's say that your English class always begins at 8 a.m. Let's say that for some

reason all the students arrive at 7:15 a.m. Let's say the teacher walks into the

rooom at 7:30 and is astonished to see all of her students sitting in their chairs and

waiting for the class to begin at 8 a.m.

(a) I most respectfully suggest that in such a circumstance, the teacher might

say something like:

Well, since you are all here already, I guess I might as well begin class right now!

(I think that "as" might also fit here, but -- I am not intelligent enough to explain why --

I would not use "because" here.)