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Luiz
Which do you use more often in formal (or informal) writing: 'because', 'for' or 'as'? Examples:

1) This is where he spent his free time, for he had nowhere else to go.

2) I missed the train because I did not arrive at the station on time.

3) He did not mention it as he did not want to worry you!

Which word do you prefer to use in order to tell a story? or even to make a statement about something?

Let's have a discussion over this matter, shall we?!

Thanks!

Feb 22, 2018 12:17 AM
Comments · 4
Definitely ¨because¨.  I think writers use ¨for¨ and ¨as¨ partly just to avoid using ¨because¨ over and over.  
February 22, 2018

@Maggie,

I think ¨for¨ and ¨as¨ are often interchangeable, but sometimes one will ¨sound more odd¨ than the other and I could not think of examples.  Here is a link where some people tried to explain more

https://english.stackexchange.com/questions/6993/when-are-because-since-for-and-as-interchangeable/7001

February 22, 2018
I agree with Sarah. “For” is a bit old-fashioned, although still used for variety. “As” is a bit formal, so it works better in writing than in speaking. “Since” is a popular option if you get tired of “because.” 

(Before a noun, we have additional options, such as "due to" (usually something bad) and "thanks to" (usually something good).


Pronunciation notes:

“Because” is often reduced to “‘cause” (or similar) in speech (not acceptable in writing).

Note that “because” does not rhyme with “cause” in standard English pronunciation. Accordingly, “‘cause” does not sound the same as “cause.”

The following is RP, but a similar distinction exists in US East Coast accents, as well as in some other American English accents:

Because /bɪˈkɒz/
Cause /kɔːz/
February 22, 2018

That puzzed me too, Luiz !!!

Still remember my poor high school English teacher tried her best to tell us the difference between "for", "as" and "because", but that didnt make any sense to me at all.

@Susan, is "for" and "as" exchangable?

February 22, 2018
Luiz
Language Skills
English, Portuguese
Learning Language
English