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Name: Georganna Hancock
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Friday, July 18, 2008

Writing "Since" for "Because"

Many writers are confused about the use of "since" and "because" and think the former always means the latter. According to one of several GrammarCheck newsletters: When used as a conjunction, especially at the beginning of a sentence, since" can be used in place of "because." According to one of our academic sources, "since" has been used in this manner since the 14th century.

Although that website refers to "academic sources", I can find no credentials for the site's administrators or content providers. So, I'd go with the library's usage views. If you look up "since" in "The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2007. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved...." at Answers, for example, you'll find the word listed mostly (seven of eight meanings) as an indicator of time passed.

"Since" can be used as an adjective, a preposition, or a conjunction, and two of the three conjunction uses are time-related. In the example the dictionary provides for the use of "since" to mean "inasmuch as" or "because", the example places the conjunction at the beginning of a sentence: Since you're not interested, I won't tell you about it. No, seriously, that is the example sentence given!

In light of the facts that so much of the meaning of "since" has to do with time, try to avoid using it to indicate causality. When you're tempted to use it, take a pause and type "because".

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3 Comments:

Blogger Bill said...

The "scholarly source" mentioned is likely The Oxford English Dictionary, which cites usages dating back to around 1450. One is from the late 15th century, by William Caxton: "But since all humane flesh is mortall,..what auailes my sorowful grones and passions?" The OED lists far more definitions related to passage of time rather than causality or relationship, however. Though I believe that since is an acceptable synonym of because (the OED's definition is "Because that; seeing that; inasmuch as"), I agree that using the more clearly communicative because is preferable, as it avoids confusion.
--Bill Brohaugh

12:35 PM  
Blogger Georganna Hancock M.S. said...

It is always good to take a deeper look at these matters, and to check in with our cousins across the pond ... what I wouldn't give for my own copy of the OED or an online subscription!

Bill Brohaugh was too modest to mention his interesting and amusing Everything You Know About English Is Wrong blog. C'mon back, Bill!

1:28 PM  
Blogger Nardeeisms said...

The lesson given was enlightening and very much appreciated. Thank You- Regards, Nards

7:39 PM  

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