Because and As are both essential conjunctions in the English language. Their uses are significant. Though sometimes ambiguous, people often use the words to address the same meaning and have many differences.
Key Takeaways
- “Because” is used to indicate a cause or reason, while “as” can also indicate a reason but is often used to express simultaneity or describe actions happening simultaneously.
- “Because” is followed by a clause with a subject and verb, whereas “as” can be followed by a clause or a prepositional phrase.
- “Because” is more common in everyday speech, while “as” can sound more formal or literary in certain contexts.
Because vs As
“Because” is a conjunction used to indicate the reason for something and is used to connect two clauses in a sentence, with the first clause providing the reason and the second clause providing the result. “AS” is a conjunction used to indicate that two things happen or exist at the same time.
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Because it tells the reason why something happens and Because it stands for a cause. Because it is used as a preposition and conjunction.
While As describes how that happened, it represents a reason, not a cause. As is used as a preposition, conjunction, and adverb. We shall observe the examples soon.
These two words are often used interchangeably by most people and even learners. But to say, Because has an independent meaning, and we shall look into it carefully.
Comparison Table
| Parameter of Comparison | Because | As |
|---|---|---|
| Usage | The word because is used as both a preposition and a conjunction. | The word As is used as a preposition, conjunction, and adverb. |
| Syllable | Because it is a two-syllable word. | As is a one-syllable word. |
| Cause | Because it is used to introduce a reason for an action, it is the direct cause. | As also introduces a reason but not the direct cause necessarily. |
| Questions | We use it because of questions and asking proposals. | The clause is used mainly at the beginning of the sentence and never in question format. |
| Ambiguity | Because it is never ambiguous. | As it is mostly ambiguous. It is used when two incidents happen at the same time. |
When to Use the Word Because?
Because it is a two-syllable with no ambiguity, it is used mainly in the middle of sentences.
Because it is used to introduce a reason for an action, it is the direct cause because it has more force or power than the word As.
Because it is primarily introduced as an action or remedy for the situation in references in the same sentences. Because it is more commonly used than as,
both in writing and speaking and even thinking.
We can use a because clause on its own without the help of the main clause in speaking or informal writing.
Because it is used as a preposition and in conjunction with a different tone of language, it is never used to compare anything.
Uses of Because:
Conjunction: He is slow because he is ill.
Preposition: He is slow because of his illness.
Direct cause:
- The glass broke because it fell from the table.
- I did it because you told me.
Other uses:
- Her mother shall sleep with us in the meantime because she has no lights in her house.
- I shall take an umbrella because it is raining outside.
When to Use the Word As?
As one syllable with no ambiguity, it is used mainly at the beginning of the sentences.
The word As is used as a preposition, conjunction, and adverb. As also introduces a reason but not the direct cause necessarily.
As will be introduced as a phrase, clause of action, or comparison to a condition that might not be stated. Because it is more commonly used than as, both in writing and speaking and even thinking.
We can use a clause on its own with the help of the main clause in speaking or informal writing.
As is used as a preposition, conjunction, and even as an adverb with a completely different sense and tone of voice.
The most common usage of As we see as a comparative degree. It is preferably used to compare two objects or persons or a person with a thing.
Uses of As:
Adverb: He is as fast as a rocket.
Conjunction: He washed the dishes as I cleaned the floor.
Preposition: The news came as a shock to our family.
Other uses:
- I hope they have decided to come as I wanted to hear about their mysterious story.
- It will be as simple as solving the algebra sums.
Main Differences Between Because and As
The key differences between them are listed below:
- Because indicates a direct cause of the reason, whereas As also denotes sense but not necessarily as the direct cause.
- Because it is used with the main clause in the middle of the sentence, but it is used with the main clause at the beginning.
- Because it is two syllables and not ambiguous. While As is one syllable with ambiguity.
- We use because mainly in question formats, but as is used, two join two related incidents.
- Because it directly places the situation or intends the doer to answer, whereas As explains how the incident happens.
- https://www.tolearnenglish.com/exercises/exercise-english-2/exercise-english-91529.php
- https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/as_3
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Emma Smith holds an MA degree in English from Irvine Valley College. She has been a Journalist since 2002, writing articles on the English language, Sports, and Law. Read more about me on her bio page.
