Now that our exams are over

[angliholic]

Now that our exams are over, we can finally relax.



Could I replace Now that with Because and Seeing that in the above without making a change in meaning? Thanks.

[Buddhaheart]

Now that (= Because; Since; Inasmuch as; In view of the fact that; As a result of the fact that) our exams are over, we can finally relax.

[angliholic]

Thanks, Buddhaheart, for your kind heart again.
But I'm a bit confused because some native speakers say they are different, so I dare not go by my dictionary.

[Anglika]

I don't feel that "Now that" is the same as "Because" or "Seeing that".

Now that the day is over = At this moment when the day is over

Because the day is over = Since/For the reason that the day is over

Seeing that the day is over = Considering that the day is over

[Tdol]

Originally Posted by angliholic

Thanks, Buddhaheart, for your kind heart again.
But I'm a bit confused because some native speakers say they are different, so I dare not go by my dictionary.

I agree with Anglika that they are a bit different, but they would all fit into the sentence.

[angliholic]

Thanks, Anglika and Tdol.
Got it now.

[Fred O'Hanlon]

Yes, as has been pointed out, you could of course say 'Because our exams are over Seing that our exams are over), we can finally relax, and they would convey a similar message, but they are different. To understand this, think about the circumstances in which you might make this uttereance. Imagine coming home on a Friday night at the end of a long term and a long final week of examinations. You flop into a chair and think, Now (that our exams are over) I can finally relax'. What is the most important thing in your mind. The fact that you can relax NOW!.

Fred O'Hanlon