Section(s)
Habilidades de comunicação
Level(s)
B1
The words we use to link ideas and give reasons are: because, as, since, because of, due to, for, in order to, through and the reason why / for which.
BECAUSE
this is the most common word in formal and informal English, we use it when focusing on the reason:
She spoke quietly because she didn’t want Catherine to hear.
I told her I wouldn’t join them because I needed to sleep.
We usually use because in the beginning of a sentence when we want to give extra focus on the reason:
Because this is my favorite show, I insisted on you watching it with me.
OBS: In informal speaking and writing we say cos
AS and SINCE
are usually used when focusing on the result, and both are more formal than because.
Since everything can be done from home with computers and telephones, there’s no need to dress up for work anymore.
As everyone already knows each other, there’s no need for introductions. We’ll get straight into the business of the meeting.
OBS: We use because, not as or since, in questions where the speaker proposes a reason:
Are you feeling unwell because you ate too much?
Are you feeling unwell since you ate too much? or … as you ate too much?
BECAUSE OF, DUE TO and THROUGH
these ones are used meaning “as a result of” (or in Portuguese “por causa de”)
Because of the rain, the rugby match was stopped.
A lot of her unhappiness is due to boredom.
If he fails it won’t be through lack of effort.
Many employees quit through stress-related illnesses.
FOR
in turn, for is used to express a reason, in Portuguese we would say “por”.
I don’t eat meat for many different reasons
Italy is famous for its cuisine.
IN ORDER TO
is used more in writing than in speaking and must be followed by a verb in infinitive to express the purpose of something.
In order to help you, I’ll need your ID number.
She rewatched the movie in order to get more details.
THE REASON WHY / FOR WHICH
both are used to indicate a reason why something has happened, such as in:
The reason why this show is so famous is the very well-done job in writing
He said the argue they had wasn’t the reason for which he quit.
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