Video Transcript and Bonus Info:
Today’s episode is called “Since—The Same As Because? Axe if.”—because these three words—as, since, and because—can be trouble. Many people use them interchangeably to show cause, unaware of the ambiguity that can result.
“As” is the biggest troublemaker of the three. Take this sentence, for example,
Bilbo Baggins hid the ring as someone knocked on the door.
Did Bilbo hide the ring while someone was knocking on the door, or did he hide the ring because someone was knocking on the door?
What about this sentence?
As Gandalf raised his staff with a menacing glare, Frodo and Sam scampered across the crumbling
bridge.
Did Frodo and Sam scamper across the bridge because Gandalf meant business, or did Frodo and Sam scamper while Gandalf raised his staff, presumably at the fire-breathing demon?
The word “since” likewise can cause a misstep. Consider this sentence:
Since they won the battle, Frodo and Sam have been celebrating with hefty mugs of beer.
So from the time they won the battle—two weeks ago Saturday—Frodo and Sam have been drinking? Or Frodo and Sam have been drinking because they won the battle?
How about this sentence?
Pippin’s stomach rumbled all the more since Aragorn decreed no second breakfasts.
Did Pippin’s stomach rumble increase from the time Aragorn announced the news—after all, hobbits must have six meals a day—or did Pippin’s stomach rumble increase because he would get no second breakfast? Or perhaps it was both.
Although we can often figure out the correct meaning from context, if there’s any chance of ambiguity, stick to “because”—one word to rule them all.
For the rest of the story, go to www.catetouryan.com/quicktakes. Check back in two weeks for another QuickTake with Cate. Like, comment, and share!
The Rest of the Story
Sometimes, the type of English you’re using can complicate the issue. In British English, the use of as to show cause is more common than in American English.
As the defect is not our fault, might we get our money back?
In American English, as most often means while.
As it began raining, we canceled the ballgame.
Most grammarians recommend using because to show cause—and that’s because it has no other meanings.
As (!) Bryan A. Garner says in his Modern American Usage, “In the causal sense, as should generally be avoided because (not as!) it may be misunderstood as having its more usual meaning while, especially when it is placed anywhere but at the beginning of the sentence.”
Also, avoid these wordy substitutes for because:
- for the reason that
- due to the fact that
- on the grounds that
Unless you must try to reach a word quota for which you lack ideas, your style should be concise, precise, and fluid. Inflated phrases, such as those three, bog down your writing, slow its pace, frustrate your reader, and alert your teacher to your dearth of ideas. Where one word will do, do it!