by R. S. Karunaratne

Use of words referring to reason 'As, because, since and 'for'

All the four words refer to the reason for something. However, the usage differs.

'As' and 'since' are used when the reason is known to the listener or reader. Both words are usually used at the beginning of a sentence.

As it is raining, we'll have to hire a cab.

As you are tired, I won't trouble you to read my essay.

As it was getting dark, we decided to stay in a hotel.

'As' is usually not used before a noun or noun phrase to make comparisons.

Don't say: She hopes to be a doctor as her mother.

Say: She hopes to be a doctor like her mother.

'As' goes directly before a noun or noun phrase in the expression:

'as ...... as".

Haren is as brilliant as his father.

When 'as' is used before a verb and has the meaning 'in the same way', it is not usually followed by 'it'.

Don't say: He is late, as it is often the case.

Say: He is late, as is often the case.

As an adverb 'since' means 'from a particular time in the past until a later time'.

Lalith left for Japan last year, and I haven't seen him since.

As a preposition 'since' means 'from a particular time in the past until a later time'.

England have not won the World Cup in football since 1966.

To talk about when something began and ended do not use 'since'. Use 'from'.

Don't say: Mendis worked for ABC company since 1990 to 2000.

Say: Mendis worked for ABC Company from 1990 to 2000.

To talk about something that has happened from a particular date, use 'since'.

I have been working in Colombo since 2000.

To talk about a general period of time, we use 'for'.

I have been working here for ten years.

'Because' puts more emphasis on the reason. Very often it introduces new information which is not known to the listener or reader.

Because she was careless, she lost her job.

As a conjunction 'because' means 'for the reason that'.

A: Why didn't you come yesterday?

B: Because my mother didn't want me to.

I can't attend your wedding because I am going abroad next week.

Just because I am sending you money doesn't mean I'll do it for ever.

'Because of' means 'as a result of'.

The train was delayed because of rain.

As a preposition 'for' means 'intended for'.

I've left a message for you.

This toilet is for the use of company staff.

Sorry, this book is not for sale.

There's a prize for the best student.

'For' also shows the purpose.

There is a sign: 'House for sale'.

Ranjan has invited me for lunch.

'For' can mean 'because of'.

I don't eat meat and fish for various reasons.

Ranjit is disliked for his arrogance.

'For' shows an amount of time or distance.

The hunters walked for miles in the jungle looking for animals.

I'm going away for a few days.

'For' means 'on the occasion of'.

What will you give me for my birthday?

I've reserved a table for two.

How to avoid common errors

This is a practical guide to avoid common errors.

The emphasis is on the words and phrases which regularly cause difficulty for learners of English.

1. Always use the correct article.

Use ‘a’ before a word beginning with a consonant sound. Use ‘an’ before a word beginning with a vowel sound.

I saw a beautiful woman.

My uncle carries an umbrella.

2. Pay special attention when using abbreviations.

Garnier is an MP (Member of Parliament).

Sybil holds an MA degree. (Master of Arts)

3. Words beginning with ‘h’ may cause problems.

Sarath is an honourable man.

We stayed in a hotel.

Try to lead an honest life.

4. Do not use ‘a/an’ before an adjective unless it is followed by a noun.

Her husband is deaf.

His wife is a deaf woman.

5. When we abandon something we give it up.

But we abolish laws, customs or traditions.

The US did not abandon the search for bin Laden.

Some countries have abolished capital punishment.

6. ‘Ability’ is usually followed by the preposition ‘in’.

You must improve your ability in English.

7. ‘Able’ is usually followed by the preposition ‘to’.

He is not able to do this job.

8. ‘Capable’ is usually followed by the preposition ‘of’.

He is quite capable of climbing the mountain.

9. We usually use ‘can’ or ‘can’t’ with verbs of perception and verbs of the mind.

I can’t decide what to do.

She couldn’t stop laughing.

10. ‘Enable’ means ‘make somebody able to do something.’

New university courses will enable young graduates to find employment.

11. We use ‘about’ to introduce a topic in informal English.

About that loan you asked for, I’ll speak to the bank manager.

12. In formal English we use ‘with regard to, regarding, as for, as regards or ‘as far as ... is concerned.’

With regard to your request the company will take action.

Starters :

Subject - Verb agreement in positive questions

Questions are sentences which ask the listener or reader to give information. For this purpose, we use the question form. This is different from the statement form.

Look at the following statements and how they are turned into questions.

Statements

1. You are angry.

2. You know her.

3. You are waiting for a bus.

4. You know where it is.

5. You need help.

Questions

1. Are you angry?

2. Do you know her?

3. Are you waiting for a bus?

4. Do you know where it is?

5. Do you need help?

We form questions with 'be' verbs by placing the verb before the subject.

Statements

1. He is ill.

2. The milkman is here.

3. They are at home.

4. Those boys are your students.

5. You are waiting for a cab.

Questions

1. Is he ill?

2. Is the milkman here?

3. Are they at home?

4. Are those boys your students?

5. Are you waiting for a cab?

We form questions with most verbs by changing the verb to its base form and adding the verb 'to do' before the subject.

Statements

1. Mary admires me.

2. Jehan goes to this college.

3. Elephants eat leaves.

4. Latha wears sunglasses.

5. You have a mobile phone.

Questions

1. Does Mary admire me?

2. Does Jehan go to this college?

3. Do elephants eat leaves?

4. Does Latha wear sunglasses?

5. Do you have a mobile phone?

For the singular pronouns 'I' and 'you' we add the verb 'do' before the subject.

Statements

1. I know it.

2. You know it.

3. I play the violin.

Questions

1. Do I know it?

2. Do you know it?

3. Do I play the violin?