As, because, since, for — What should you use?

All explain reason

I am not an expert in the English language, but I refer to books on English language usage, and I thought of sharing some tips regarding the use of as, because, since, and for.

As, because, since, for these words are causal; they explain why something happened, gives reason. But when you use “as” in its causal sense, it may confuse the reader as they may understand it in its usual sense, “while,” especially when it’s placed anywhere but at the beginning of the sentence.

H.W Fowler states, ““To causal or explanatory as clauses, if they are placed before the main sentence . . . there is no objection” (FMEU1 at 31). This is most common in BrE — e.g.: “As she didn’t get the original money, could she please have the larger sum?”

You can reverse the order, but ensure that the reason introduced by the “as” clause is already known to the reader.

The point is to avoid using as in midsentence.

In the same way, you can use “while” beyond its temporal sense; But when you use it outside its temporal sense, you should ensure that the reader has an idea about what you say in this clause, and the next clause qualifies what you said.

While Romit and I are friends, I can’t completely trust him because of what he did in the past.

Out of three what to use

Now, out of the remaining because, since, and for, because is the most preferred as it strongly represents reason. “Since” has a more temporal element than causal, but “since” can be used outside its temporal sense, and it is the correct usage, although you would find many books, and authors advising against it.

And “for” is the least used out of three, as the book explains, “ If because points out a direct cause-and-effect relationship, for signals a less direct relationship, adding independent explanation or substantiation. Moreover, for is a coordinating conjunction and not, like because and since, a subordinating conjunction; hence it can properly begin a sentence — that is, one consisting only of an independent clause.”