Re: Since

[Lisa <lisa -at- ENVISION -dot- COM>]

Jim says:
The use of the word "since" to mean "because" is an ancient, accepted,
*correct* usage. You (and others who have commented on this topic) seem to
imply that it's a recent aberration in our language.
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Jim

I appreciate your comment.  I love hearing about how our language has developed.  I would like to make a few points, however.

I think this type of concern for usage may be specific to our profession.  As a writer I want to communicate in the most unambiguous terms possible.  Using a word that signifies either a time or causal relationship is too ambiguous for me.  Just because English speakers were inexact in the past is no justification for ambiguous usage today -- especially in the technical writing field.  Correct to me means the right information is communicated unambiguously.  Incorrect means that I have not specifically and accurately communicated required information.


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From:   Jim Morgan[SMTP:jlmorgan -at- SENDERO -dot- FISERV -dot- COM]
Sent:   Tuesday, October 01, 1996 1:45 PM
To:     TECHWR-L -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU
Subject:        Re: Since

>Lisa asked:

>Speaking of pet peeves . . . using 'since' to show the reason for
>something happening instead of  (what I think to be) the correct word
>'because'?

Lisa, I will defend to the death your right to select "because" or "since"
as you see fit for clarity, but I must object to your use of the word
"correct." It's not a question of correct or incorrect usage.

The use of the word "since" to mean "because" is an ancient, accepted,
*correct* usage. You (and others who have commented on this topic) seem to
imply that it's a recent aberration in our language.

I cite the following from the OED:

since II. 4. because that; seeing that; inasmuch as
1450 "Syns Christ bought us as he did other . . ." 1489 Caxton "But since
all humane flesh is mortall . . ." 1577 Googe "Sins it is not yet dinner
tyme, let us walk about." 1588 Shakespeare, Comedy of Errors, "Since that my
beautie cannot please his eie . . ."

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