Cross Your T’s: “Since” you were wondering…
In my inaugural Cross Your T’s grammar post, I promised I would share with you the difference between since and because, a difference I only learned of recently. Let me warn you, you’re going to find it a very hard habit to break—even harder than cutting back on your use of that in a sentence.
Those of you who know when to use since and because should have cringed when you read this post’s title. Those of you who didn’t bat an eyelash have a little something to learn. Fortunately, the concept is easy; putting it into practice is not. Ready? Here you go:
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Since
Use since when you’re referring to time. For example:
I haven’t had a Route 44 diet vanilla Coke since yesterday and I fear for my children’s safety.
or
Ever since I overdosed on Hot Pockets in high school, I can’t get near one without vomiting in my mouth.
or
I haven’t had a decent night’s sleep since 1997.
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Because
Use because when you’re showing causation (basically a cause/effect relationship). For example:
Because you’ve spent your life wondering about the correct use of since and because in a sentence, I was inspired to write this post.
or
I’m considering sending my 11-year-old to boarding school next summer because she’s an expert at pushing my buttons.
or
Sometimes I would like to drop-kick my kids’ friends (and my kids) but because I’m afraid it might leave a mark, I drop-kick them in my head instead.
N…
So basically…
CORRECT:
I will be jamming headphones into my ears and ignoring the kids because I’ll be in the car with them for over 10 hours.*
INCORRECT:
I will be jamming headphones into my ears and ignoring the kids since I’ll be in the car with them for over 10 hours.*
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You’ll find people use since and because interchangeably all the time. I know I did until a friend enlightened me. To be honest, I kind of wish I were still unenlightened. It’s not easy to get into a habit of using them correctly. Sometimes because doesn’t flow as well as since in a sentence, but what’s a grammar lover to do? (I’ll tell you. She uses since when she should use because on Skype because—not since—she’s a rule breaker…at least when no one but her Skype friend is reading!)
Good luck!
* Even though this sentence is incorrect due to the use of since rather than because, it is a true statement. Wish me luck!
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I wanted to try to keep theses grammar posts short and sweet. For more in-depth guidelines, search sites like Grammar Girl or Dictionary.com or just Google it!
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Previous Cross Your T’s posts:
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You can read more about the inspiration for this site 
All this grammar talk brings back good memories. Because of our college days you know. I haven’t thought about grammar since then. But now I will…:)
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Emily Reply:
July 28th, 2011 at 9:23 am
It’s always good to reminisce!
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I definitely admit to using these interchangeable, since I’m an idiot most of the time.
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Emily Reply:
July 28th, 2011 at 9:24 am
Whatever! You’re not an idiot, you’re normal. I mean, normal as far as using “since” and “because” interchangeably. ;)
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I liked your ‘that’ rule because (not since!) I think it’s easy to remember and it also helps writing flow better. This one is going to be hard to remember. I better bookmark this post.
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Emily Reply:
July 28th, 2011 at 11:35 pm
Trust me, it takes a while to make it a habit. Even now I have to be conscious of how I use the word “since”!
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I am loving this series because I am learning mistakes that I didn’t even realize I was making. But I especially love it because it doesn’tbmake me feel like an idiot or making them. :).
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Emily Reply:
July 28th, 2011 at 11:36 pm
Glad you’re enjoying it! I don’t want anyone to feel like an idiot. Most everything is something I learned through personal experience. ;)
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