An adverbial clause of reason answers the question “Why?” A reason clause is introduced by the subordinate conjunctions like because, since, and as.
Because
Because is used when the reason is the most important part of the sentence. Therefore, it is usually put after the main clause.
Example
I couldn’t come to your party because I was rather sick.
The car crashed because the driver was careless.
Since and As
Since and as are used when the reason is already well known, or less important than the rest of the sentence. Since is a little more formal than as. Since (often for scientific reasons) and as (often for habitual reasons) often begin the sentence.
Example
Since Britain is in the Northern Hemisphere, it has its summer in June, July, and August.
Since this is a library research, all sources are taken from libraries.
As this is the beginning of the football season, there are bound to be large crowds at the match.
As women were not supposed to be novelist, she took the name George Eliot.
EXERCISE 1
Combine the following sentences using the subordinators of reason clause (because, since, or as).
1. The officials decided to cancel the football match. The weather was very bad.
2. Indonesia is located on the equator line. It has only two seasons.
3. Today is the grand opening of Pasar Raya. Most sellers sell their goods cheaply.
4. The terrible accident killed 6 passengers. The driver felt sleepy.
5. There are a lot of demands. The price is always higher and higher.
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