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 #2 (permalink) Mon Mar 02, 2009 8:55 am for vs because |
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Hi Lephuoc,
There is no need for a comma before 'for' or 'because'. 'For' is never used to start a sentence whereas it is possible with 'because'. 'For' is not often used in speech except for dramatic effect. That said, there are similarities in meaning. 'Because' simply means and that's the reason why and 'for' has the sense of 'we have to bear the following in mind.' There is a famous line in Shakespeare's play 'Julius Caesar' when Mark Anthony is delivering a speech after the murder of Caesar when 'for' has this dramatic sense:
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The noble Brutus
Has told you Caesar was ambitious:
If it were so, it was a grievous fault,
And grievously has Caesar answered it ...
Here, under leave of Brutus and the rest,
(For Brutus is an honourable man;
So are they all; all honourable men)
Come I to speak in Caesar's funeral .. |
Alan
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Alan
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| #3 (permalink) Mon Mar 02, 2009 9:43 am for vs because |
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| Very interesting Alan. Thank you! |
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 Lephuoc
You can meet me at english-test.net
Joined: 23 Oct 2008
Posts: 88
Location: Vietnam
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| #4 (permalink) Mon Mar 02, 2009 10:38 am for vs because |
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| 'For' is never used to start a sentence whereas it is possible with 'because' |
All due respect, Alan, that's not true. I believe you meant to say that 'because' is never used to start a sentence, while with 'for' it's possible |
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RightU
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Joined: 31 Jan 2009
Posts: 3
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| #5 (permalink) Mon Mar 02, 2009 10:45 am for vs because |
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| Because he is rich, she agrees to marry him. |
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Lephuoc
You can meet me at english-test.net
Joined: 23 Oct 2008
Posts: 88
Location: Vietnam
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| #6 (permalink) Mon Mar 02, 2009 10:49 am for vs because |
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Hi RightU,
I accept the respect but must insist that we can't begin a sentence with 'for'.
Alan
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Alan
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| #7 (permalink) Mon Mar 02, 2009 10:58 am for vs because |
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| Alan, I think you won't deny that it's possible to start a sentence with such idiomatic expressions as 'for all that/this', 'for all I know' and so forth? |
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RightU
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Joined: 31 Jan 2009
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| #8 (permalink) Mon Mar 02, 2009 11:52 am for vs because |
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Hi,
Clearly I meant 'for' as a conjunction on its own. What is your problem?
Alan
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| Can I say 'I don't find mistakes in others'? | About the contraction: I will have worked. vs I'll've worked? |
