Why versus because

It has the meaning of a subordinating conjunction, since it clearly subordinates the clause that follows it to the previous clause or sentence. But like a coordinating conjunction, for has a fixed position in the sentence, and its clause cannot be transposed to precede the superordinate clause containing the main idea.

It is ungrammatical in present-day English to say For they shall inherit the earth: blessed are the meek. Perhaps because of this ambiguity in function, for is treated variously with regard to punctuation. Sometimes it begins a dependent clause and follows a comma, and sometimes it begins an independent clause as if it were a conjunctive adverb like moreover and follows a semicolon or period when it is capitalized as the first word of a new sentence.

All treatments are acceptable in standard usage. The difference is really one of emphasis: starting a new sentence with for tends to call more attention to the thought that it introduces. I find that the word "for" asserts a causal relationship less strenuously than "because". Its use has been on a fairly steady decline since the 18th century, yet it is hardly to be regarded as obsolete, for it fits in quite well with a semi-formal style where we find many turns of phrase which are neither archaisms nor examples of today's passing fads.

I think that you could use either "for" or "because" for most anything that works for either one and it should be right even if it sounds weird. Though usually nowadays you only use "for" when further describing the previous noun rather than brining up a new noun in an explanation.

When using "for" to bring up a new point, as a reason, that doesn't reference the previous noun it sounds a little more funky. I think this is due to "for" meaning the expounding of reason or use nowadays, applying that connotation to the other function. Sign up to join this community. The best answers are voted up and rise to the top.

Stack Overflow for Teams — Collaborate and share knowledge with a private group. Create a free Team What is Teams? Learn more. Asked 6 years, 6 months ago. Active 1 year, 9 months ago. Viewed 26k times. You don't say: I didn't go to school today for I felt ill. That would probably sound weird. You say instead: I didn't go to school today because I felt ill.

Improve this question. The word As is used as a preposition, conjunction, and adverb. As also introduces a reason but not the direct cause necessarily. As will be introduced as a phrase or a clause of action or comparison to a condition that might not be stated. Because is more commonly used than as, both in writing and speaking and even thinking.

As is used as a preposition, conjunction, and even as an adverb with completely different sense and tone of voice. The most common usage of As we see as a comparative degree. It is preferably used to compare two objects or persons or a person with an object. Preposition: The news came as a shock to our family. So, which one do you feel is the right fit for you — because or as?

Always make sure that both these terms link to grammar and they expect you to use it properly. Both because and As are used to define reasons and cause of incidents. Should remember that because it has a cause-effect tone. As or like? As , when or while? Been or gone? Begin or start?

Beside or besides? Between or among? Born or borne? Bring , take and fetch Can , could or may? Classic or classical? Come or go? Consider or regard? Consist , comprise or compose? Content or contents? Different from , different to or different than? Do or make? Down , downwards or downward? During or for? Each or every? East or eastern ; north or northern? Economic or economical? Efficient or effective? Elder , eldest or older , oldest? End or finish?

Especially or specially? Except or except for? Expect , hope or wait? Experience or experiment? Fall or fall down? Far or a long way? Farther , farthest or further , furthest? Fast , quick or quickly? Fell or felt? Female or feminine ; male or masculine? Finally , at last , lastly or in the end? First , firstly or at first? Fit or suit? Following or the following?

For or since? Forget or leave? Full or filled? Fun or funny? Get or go? Grateful or thankful? Hear or listen to? High or tall? Historic or historical? House or home? How is …? If or when? If or whether? Ill or sick? Imply or infer? In the way or on the way? Late or lately? Lay or lie? Lend or borrow? Less or fewer? Look at , see or watch? Low or short? Man , mankind or people? Maybe or may be? Maybe or perhaps?

Nearest or next? Never or not … ever? Nice or sympathetic? No doubt or without doubt? No or not? Nowadays , these days or today? Open or opened? Opportunity or possibility?