Dear 1L: Since vs. Because
Dear 1L,
When I look at drafts of your writing, I strike almost every “since.”
I substitute “because.” Here’s why.
🔷 “SINCE” confuses the Reader.
“Since” means many things.
To be sure, “since” can mean “because.” But “since” can also mean:
▫️ “while,”
▫️ “after,” and
▫️ “at the same time.”
Often, it can be difficult to discern what you mean to say by “since.”
Take, for example, this sentence:
“Since Jane was sleeping, the fire spread.”
What do you mean here? Do you mean the fire spread . . .
▫️ after Jane was sleeping,
▫️ while she was sleeping, or
▫️ because she was sleeping? Or perhaps something else.
In legal writing, your #1 goal should be clarity.
Using any word with more than one meaning creates confusion.
Confusion kills clarity.
Don’t confuse your Reader. If you mean “because,” just say “because.”
🔹 “SINCE” is a mealy-mouthed way to say “because.”
Most of the time when writers, especially legal writers, use “since,”
they really mean “because.”
But there is no reason to beat around the bush with “because.”
Causation can be everything in legal writing.
“Because” clearly conveys causation.
“Since” suggests causation, but one can’t be clear.
Don’t mess around with “because.”
Be assertive. If you mean “because,” just say “because.”
Disagree? I’d love to hear your reasoning.
Fondly,
💌 Amanda
June 1, 2022
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