because / since / as

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Use because to refer to a reason.

Use since only to refer to the passage of time. This avoids ambiguities and prevents misinterpretation.

Don’t use as as a synonym for because. The word as can be ambiguous and has so many meanings that it’s problematic, especially for an international audience.

No:

Since the paper is missing, you can’t print.

No:

As the paper is missing, you can’t print.

Yes:

Because the paper is missing, you can’t print.

Yes:

Since Monday, the paper has been missing.

Yes:

Because we installed the program, we’ve saved a lot of time.

(means: “We’ve saved a lot of time. The reason for this is the installed program.”)

Yes:

Since we installed the program, we’ve saved a lot of time.

(means: “We’ve saved a lot of time. This happened after we installed the program.”)


while / as / whereas / although

Feel free to start sentences simply