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as, because, since and for
All four of these words can be used to refer to the reason for something. They are not used in the same way.
1 as and since
As and since are used when the reason is already known to the listener/reader, or when it is not the most important part of the sentence. As- and smce-clauses often come at the beginning of sentences.
As it's raining again, we'll have to stay at home.
Since he had not paid his bill, his electricity was cut off. As- and smce-clauses are relatively formal; in an informal style, the same ideas are often expressed with so.
It's raining again, so we'll have to stay at home.
2 because
Because puts more emphasis on the reason, and most often introduces new information which is not known to the listener /reader.
Because I was ill for six months, I lost my job.
When the reason is the most important part of the sentence, the because-clause usually comes at the end. It can also stand alone. Since and as cannot be used like this.
Why am I leaving? I'm leaving because I'm fed up! (not ... I'm leaving as/since I'm fed up!)
"Why are you laughing?' 'Because you look so funny.'
A because-clause can be used at the end of a sentence to say how one knows something.
You didn't tell me the truth, because I found the money in your room. {=... I know because I found...)
3 for
For introduces new information, but suggests that the reason is given as an afterthought. A/or-clause could almost be in brackets. For-clauses never come at the beginning of sentences, and cannot stand alone. For, used in this sense, is most common in a formal written style.
/ decided to stop and have lunch -for I was feeling hungry.
as, when and while (simultaneous events)
To talk about actions or situations that take place at the same time, we can use as, when or while. There are some differences.
1 'backgrounds': as, when or while
We can use all three words to introduce a longer 'background' action or situation, which is/was going on when something else happens/happened.
As I was walking down the street I saw Joe driving a Porsche.
The telephone always rings when you are having a bath.
While they were playing cards, somebody broke into the house. As-, when- and while-clauses can go at the beginning or end of sentences, but as-clauses usually introduce less important information, and most often go at the beginning.
A progressive tense is usually used for the longer 'background' action or situation (was walking; are having; were playing). But as and while can be used with a simple tense, especially with a verb like sit, lie, or grow which refers to a continuous action or state.
As I sat reading the paper, the door burst open.
2 simultaneous long actions: while; as
We usually use while to say that two longer actions or situations go /went on at the same time. We can use progressive or simple tenses.
While you were reading the paper, I was working.
John cooked supper while I watched TV.
As is used (with simple tenses) to talk about two situations which develop or change together.
As I get older I get more optimistic. We prefer when to refer to ages and periods of life.
When I was a child we lived in London, (not As/While I was a child...)
His parents died when he was twelve, (not ... while he was twelve.)
3 simultaneous short actions: (just) as; (just) when
We usually use (just) as to say that two short actions or events happen/ happened at the same time.
As I opened my eyes I heard a strange voice.
Mary always arrives just as I start work. (Just) when is also possible.
7 thought of it just when you opened your mouth.
4 reduced clauses with when and while
It is often possible to leave out subject + be after when (especially when it means 'whenever'), and after while.
Don't forget to signal when turning right.
{=... when you are turning right.)
Climb when ready.
{=... when you are ready.) While in Germany, he got to know a family of musicians.
{= While he was...)
as if and as though
1 meaning
As if and as though mean the same. We use them to say what a situation seems like.
It looks as if/though it's going to rain.
I felt as if/though I was dying.
She was acting as if/though she was in charge.
2 tenses
We can use a past tense with a present meaning after as if/though. This shows that a comparison is 'unreal'. Compare:
- She looks as if she's rich.
(Perhaps she is rich.) He talks as if he was rich. (But he is not.)
- You look as though you know each other.
Why is she looking at me as though she knew me? I've never seen her before in my life.
However, we do not use a past perfect for a past unreal comparison. He talked as if he was rich, but he wasn't.
(not ... as if he had been-rieh...)
In a formal style, were can be used instead of was in an 'unreal' comparison. This is normal in American English. He talks as if he were rich.
3 informal use of like
In an informal style, like is often used instead of as if I though, especially in American English. This is not considered correct in a formal style.
It seems like it's going to rain.
He sat there smiling like it was his birthday.
as long as
1 tenses
After as long as, we use a present tense to express a future idea. I'll remember that day as long as I live. (not ... as long as I will live.)
For other conjunctions which are used in this way, see 556.
2 conditions
As ISo long as is often used to state conditions.
You can take my car as/so long as you drive carefully. (= ... on condition that you drive carefully.)
as usual
Note that in this expression we use the adjective usual, not the adverb usually.
The train's late, as usual, (not ... as usually.)
as well as
1 meaning
As well as has a similar meaning to 'not only... but also'. She's got a car as well as a motorbike.
{-... not only a motorbike, but also a car.) He's clever as well as good-looking.
(= He's not only good-looking, but also clever.) She works in television as well as writing children's books. Note the 'information structure': usually as well as introduces information which is already known to the listener/reader; the rest of the sentence gives new information.
They speak French in parts of Italy as well as France.
(not They speak French in France as well as parts of Italy. Everybody knows that French is spoken in France, so this information is introduced by as well as.)
2 verbs after as well as
When we put a verb after as well as, we most often use the -ing form. Smoking is dangerous, as well as making you smell bad.
(not ... as well as it makes you smell bad.) As well as breaking his leg, he hurt his arm.
(not ... as well as ho broke his leg,...) After an infinitive in the main clause, an infinitive without to is possible.
I have to feed the animals as well as look after the children. Note the difference between:
She sings as well as playing the piano. (= She not only plays, but also sings.) She sings as well as she plays the piano.
(- Her singing is as good as her playing.)
3 subjects
It is possible to connect two subjects with as well as before a verb. If the first subject is singular, the verb is also likely to be singular, especially if as well as... is separated by commas.
Alice, as well as Paula, was shocked by the news. (not Alice, as well as^Paula, were shocked...)
With longer singular subjects, a plural verb is more likely, especially if commas are not used.
His appearance as well as his strange way of talking make me
suspicious.
However, this is not a common structure. It is more normal to put as well as... after the main clause; with pronoun subjects, this almost always happens.
Alice was shocked by the news as well as Paula. He's ill as well as me.
(not He, as well as lime, is ill.)
ask
1 ask and ask for
Ask for: ask somebody to give something
Ask without for: ask somebody to tell something
Compare:
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