◎ because,as和since是從屬連詞,引導原因狀語從句;for是并列連詞,連接并列分句。because用于回答why引導的疑問句,但as,since和for則不可以。
① because表示直接原因,語氣最強,一般位于主句后,有時也置于主句前。
The teacher was angry because he was late again. 老師很生氣,因為他又遲到了。
A:Why didn't you come?你為什么沒來?
B:Because I was ill. 因為我病了。
② as用于解釋做某事的原因,語氣較弱,用于口語,通常位于主句前。
As you are not feeling well today,you'd better stay at home. 既然你今天感覺不好,你最好待在家里。
③ since常指清楚的、雙方都明白的原因,語氣比because弱,但比as強,通常位于主句前,并常同as換用。
Since/As you have finished your homework,let's go out to play. 既然你已完成了作業(yè),我們出去玩玩吧。
Since he can't answer the question,we'd better ask someone else. 他回答不了這個問題,我們就問別人吧。
④ for引導并列句,表示一種補充說明,是推測或判斷的理由,語氣較弱,必須放在主句后面。
He must be ill,for he is absent from class today. 他一定病了,因為他今天沒來上課。
We must start early,for we have a long way to go. 我們要早點動身,因為要走很長的路。
⑤ because of是復合介詞,后跟名詞或代詞,也可跟what引導的名詞性從句。because of引導的短語只能作狀語。
They didn't arrive there on time because of the heavy rain. 由于天下大雨,他們沒有準時到達那里。
He realized that she was crying because of what he had said. 他意識到,她是因為他說的話而哭的。
提示
on account of相當于because of,但更為正式。
She stayed indoors on account of the bad weather. 由于天氣不好,她待在家里。
⑥ due to一般引導表語,但引導狀語亦屬正確用法。
These slips are due to/owing to the author's insufficient acquaintance with the life of the labouring people. 這些疏誤是由于作者對勞動人民的生活不夠熟悉而造成的。
⑦ owing to可用來引導狀語或表語(多用于前者)。owing to一般是修飾整個句子,因此嚴格來講,應用逗號和前面的句子分開,在這點上不同于because of,后者可以僅修飾句中的一部分,見上例,中間不用逗號。
They decided to put off the trip,owing to the change of weather. 由于天氣變化,他們決定延期啟程。