English grammar
Formal cause: since, given that, seeing as
Give a reason with since, given that and seeing as.
From the scene Since you're here…
In short
Since, given that and seeing as mean because, for a reason both people accept. They can start the sentence.
Your turn
Which one goes with since + a known fact?
Options: given that this goes to the town hall · since I live in the building · since you're here, sign my sheet
Show answer
since + a known fact → since I live in the building
How it works
Since, given that and seeing as all mean because, but they introduce a reason the listener already accepts, and they can open the sentence, unlike because, which normally comes after the main idea in speech.
Good to know
Given that is the most formal; seeing as is casual.
since (reason-first, known to both) since you're here, sign my sheet
Tomás
Nuria! Since you're here, sign my sheet.
¡Nuria! Ya que estás aquí, fírmame la hoja.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Nuria! (blank).
Options: Since I live in the building · Given that this goes to the town hall · Since you're here, sign my sheet
Show answer
Tomás
Nuria! Since you're here, sign my sheet.
¡Nuria! Ya que estás aquí, fírmame la hoja.
since + a known fact since I live in the building
Nuria
Gladly. And I'll sign twice, since I live in the building.
Con gusto. Y firmo dos veces, puesto que vivo en el edificio.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Gladly. And I'll sign twice, (blank).
Options: given that this goes to the town hall · since I live in the building · since you're here, sign my sheet
Show answer
Nuria
Gladly. And I'll sign twice, since I live in the building.
Con gusto. Y firmo dos veces, puesto que vivo en el edificio.
given that (most formal) given that this goes to the town hall
Tomás
One signature per person, given that this goes to the town hall.
Una firma por persona, dado que esto va al ayuntamiento.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
One signature per person, (blank).
Options: given that this goes to the town hall · since you're here, sign my sheet · since I live in the building
Show answer
Tomás
One signature per person, given that this goes to the town hall.
Una firma por persona, dado que esto va al ayuntamiento.
seeing as (casual) seeing as you're so fired up
Your turn
What goes with seeing as you're so fired up?
Options: since (reason-first, known to both) · since + a known fact · seeing as (casual)
Show answer
seeing as you're so fired up → seeing as (casual)
since (reason-first, again) since they haven't signed
Elena
Since they haven't signed, I'm going to visit them at home. At seven in the morning.
Puesto que no han firmado, voy a verlos a su casa. A las siete de la mañana.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank), I'm going to visit them at home. At seven in the morning.
Options: Since they haven't signed · Since you're here · Since I live in the building
Show answer
Elena
Since they haven't signed, I'm going to visit them at home. At seven in the morning.
Puesto que no han firmado, voy a verlos a su casa. A las siete de la mañana.
Common mistake
Not since or because here. Only this one combines with 'that'.
One signature per person, given that this goes to the town hall.
Una firma por persona, dado que esto va al ayuntamiento.
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| since (reason-first, known to both) | since you're here, sign my sheet |
|---|---|
| since + a known fact | since I live in the building |
| given that (most formal) | given that this goes to the town hall |
| seeing as (casual) | seeing as you're so fired up |
| since (reason-first, again) | since they haven't signed |
More lines from the story
- TomásThirty-two. But since you ask... twelve are Doña Elena's.Treinta y dos. Pero ya que preguntas... doce son de Doña Elena.
- ElenaLook, dear. Since they want to throw me out, they had better get ready. Nobody is getting me out of here!Mira, cariño. Puesto que quieren echarme, que se preparen. ¡De aquí no me saca nadie!