Common Confusables: Since & Because

This one may turn out to be a losing cause, but I'd like to fight to keep it "old school."

These two words are commonly misused, even by intelligent, articulate writers and speakers. Here's how to use them correctly:

Because is used when providing a reason for something. "I went to the store because we needed milk."

Since is used when dealing with time. "We've needed milk since this morning."

Unfortunately a great many people use since as a replacement for because. I'm not sure why, but that's the way it is, which leads me to think that eventually, if it hasn't happened yet, the two words will be considered officially synonymous. Bummer, man.

Simplifying Your Writing, Episode 1: Because

The reason for this post, that is, insofar as this post is concerned, due to the fact that this post is being posted at all; that is, in light of the fact that it is being posted in the first place, this post is being posted on the grounds that it is a post.

Ugh. As the great E.B. White said so eloquently, "Avoid unnecessary words."

All of the following awful phrases can be replaced by just one word: Because (or in some instances why). Try it.

• for the reason that


• insofar as


• in as much as


• due to the fact that


• owing to the fact that


• in light of the fact that


• considering the fact that


• on the grounds that