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Unit 1: English In A Minute
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Session 63

Welcome to English In A Minute. Give us a minute and we'll give you a hot tip about English. Grammar, vocabulary... there's so much to learn! And all taught by your favourite BBC Learning English staff!

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    Activity 1
  1. Activity 1

Activity 1

Because, as, since

Do you have a minute to spare to learn some English? Tim's going to tell us what's what about because, as and since! Give us 60 seconds and we'll give you the English!

Watch the video and complete the activity

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Tim
Hi! I'm Tim from BBC Learning English and today I'm going to tell you about three useful words: because, as and since.

These are all used to give reasons.

Because is more common than as or since and we use it when we want to focus on the reason. I'm tired because I didn't sleep very well.

When we want to give extra focus to the reason, we can put the because clause at the beginning of the sentence. Because my bed is uncomfortable, I'm getting a bad back.

As and since are more formal than because and we use them to focus on the result rather than the reason. I hope Tom's brought that comic as I wanted to borrow it from him. Noodles are popular since they're easy to cook. 

We often use as and since clauses at the beginning of the sentence. Just remember to add a comma. So, as our minute is up, I'll finish recording this video.

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Because, as, since

Reasons
Because, as and since are all used to give reasons.

  • I'm tired because I didn't sleep well.
  • I'm tired as I didn't sleep well.
  • I'm tired since I didn't sleep well.

Because
Because focuses on the reason for something. It is more common than as or since. We can put the because clause at the beginning of the sentence. When we do so, we need to add a comma between the two clauses.

  • You're reading this because you want to learn English.
  • They won't be here because they're on holiday.
  • Because you want to learn English, you're reading this.
  • Because they're on holiday, they won't be here.

As and since
As and since focus on the result of something rather than the reason for it. We can put the as or since clause at the beginning of the sentence. When we do so, we need to add a comma between the two clauses.

  • I hope Tom's brought that comic as I wanted to borrow it from him.
  • Noodles are popular since they're easy to cook.
  • As I wanted to borrow that comic, I hope Tom's brought it with him.
  • Since they're easy to cook, noodles are popular.

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