NewsBlues mrsbgrammar Page 115
Chapter 2 Word Choice
105
since/because
A Hamden, Connecticut, reader reminds Mrs. B of the
"since/because" rule.
It's one you need to know.
"I was taught that 'since' refers to time measurement and
'because' denotes a cause-effect relationship:
SINCE the World Trade Center collapse, tourism is down in
New York City.
BECAUSE I have no money, you will have to pay for lunch.
"However, I notice 'since' being used (in) all sorts of (incorrect)
ways, such as:
'Since' I have no teeth, I will have to skip the steak dinner.
OR
'Since' your husband is Italian, he must like meatballs."
Janet Waldman, editor
An easy way to remember the rule is to substitute "from the time
that" or "from the time of" for "since."
v
From the time of (SINCE) the World Trade Center collapse...
If that makes sense, you've chosen the correct word.
Otherwise, "because" is the word you want.
v
BECAUSE we won the book, we've been celebrating.
