I heard about that horrible shark attack at the beach by where we live, but because

[B45]

I heard about that horrible shark attack at the beach by where we live, but because I've/I had been overseas for the like three weeks, and I hadn't had/haven't had any contact with friends and relatives back home, so I wasn't sure if it was true.

Are both useable here? What would a native use? I've heard both by native speakers, unless, I misheard.

 

[bhaisahab]

"for the like three weeks" is incorrect.

 

[B45]

I heard about that horrible shark attack at the beach by where we live, but because I've/I had been overseas for the last three weeks, and I hadn't had/haven't had any contact with friends and relatives back home, so I wasn't sure if it was true.

Which pair is correct?

 

[bhaisahab]

They would both be OK with either "because" or "so". With both they are incorrect.

 

[B45]

So leave out the because or so in the sentence?

 

[Barb_D]

So leave out the because or so in the sentence?

Yes. Use one or the other, but not both.

(Interestingly, just yesterday I got into a Facebook discussion on the use of XOR to mean "one or the other but not both." "Use 'because' xor 'so.'")

 

[B45]

Yes. Use one or the other, but not both.

(Interestingly, just yesterday I got into a Facebook discussion on the use of XOR to mean "one or the other but not both." "Use 'because' xor 'so.'")

Like this:

I heard about that horrible shark attack at the beach by where we live, but I've/I had been overseas for the last three weeks, and I hadn't had/haven't had any contact with friends and relatives back home, so I wasn't sure if it was true.

Or

I heard about that horrible shark attack at the beach by where we live, but because I've/I had been overseas for the last three weeks, and I hadn't had/haven't had any contact with friends and relatives back home, I wasn't sure if it was true.

So one or the other?

Can someone please explain to me why both verb tenses are okay in these examples?