oxford_guide_to_english_grammar

31 ADVERBIAL CLAUSES PAGE 330
251 Clauses of reason
1 We form an adverbial clause of reason with a conjunction such as because.
I made mistakes because I was tired.
As the weather is often warm, many of the homes have swimming pools.
Since no one asked me, I didn't tell them.
Seeing (that) it's so late, why don't you stay the night?
Now (that) I've finished the course, I have to look for a job.
NOTE
a Compare a clause of result. • 247
I was tired, so I made mistakes.
b Because is the most common conjunction of reason. We can use it to answer a question
with why.
Why did you make so many mistakes? ~ (Because) I was tired.
c We sometimes use because to give a reason for saying the main clause.
Is your car for sale, because I might be interested?
d Compare these sentences.
I didn't go to the exhibition because I was busy. I'm sorry I missed it.
I didn't go to the exhibition because I was interested. I went there to see Sandra.
In the second sentence there is extra stress on interested.
e For (= because) is formal and old-fashioned.
The soldiers were exhausted for they had marched a long way.
A clause with for comes after the main clause.
2 We can also use a participle clause. • 139(4)
Being tired, I made mistakes.
Having finished the course, I have to look for a job.
3 We can also use the prepositions because of, due to, in view of and on account of.
The new welfare scheme was abandoned because of the cost.
NOTE
a We can use a finite clause after in view of the fact that and due to the fact that.
The scheme was abandoned in view of the fact that it was proving unpopular.
b Out of can express a motive for an action.
I had a look just out of curiosity.
c Considering is a conjunction, preposition or adverb.
Considering (that) he's seventy, George is remarkably fit.
Considering his age, George is remarkably fit.
George is seventy, you know. He's remarkably fit, considering.
252 Clauses of purpose
We can use a to-infinitive clause to express purpose. • 119(1)
I'd just sat down to read the paper.
In order to and so as to are more emphatic. They are also a little formal.
The company borrowed money (in order) to finance their advertising.
Paul wore a suit to his job interview (so as) to make a good impression.
(In order) to save time we'll fax all the information.
The negative is in order not to or so as not to but we cannot use not to on its own.
I wrote it in my diary so as not to forget.