for I do not know the answer vs because I do not know the answer

anhnha · Jan 14, 2013

1. I shan't try to answer your question, for I do not know the answer.
2. I shan't try to answer your question because I do not know the answer.
Is there any difference in meaning between #1 and #2? Which sentence is better?

emsr2d2 · Jan 14, 2013

There is no difference in meaning.
The second sentence is more natural. Using "for" to mean "because" sounds somewhat old-fashioned.

ComputerMoses · Feb 6, 2013

for and because. The former is subjective ('Don't swear, for I dislike swearing'), the latter objective (They did that, because events compelled them'); the former may represent the writer's own view, the latter the immediate and explicit cause. Quote from 'Usage And Abusage' by Eric Partridge.

5jj · Feb 6, 2013

Partridge wrote those words seventy years ago. I don't think anybody would feel that difference today. As ems said, 'for' sounds somewhat old-fashioned nowadays.

Rover_KE · Feb 6, 2013

ComputerMoses said:
for and because. The former is subjective ('Don't swear, for I dislike swearing'), the latter objective (They did that, because events compelled them'); the former may represent the writer's own view, the latter the immediate and explicit cause. Quote from 'Usage And Abusage' by Eric Partridge.

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for I do not know the answer vs because I do not know the answer

anhnha

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emsr2d2

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ComputerMoses

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5jj

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Rover_KE

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