"For" to mean "because"?

[Leximaniac]

Hello, 

I once heard that we can use "for" in a sentence to actually mean "because"... Curiously, the Internet dind't give much of a clear explanation of that. 

Could you please throw some light on this so that I can properly understand ? I'd deeply appreciate it!

Regards,

A new guy on the board.

[Jean B]

Good afternoon.

Il y a 23 heures, Leximaniac a dit :

Hello, 

I once heard that we can use "for" in a sentence to actually mean "because"... Curiously, the Internet dind't give much of a clear explanation of that. < You mustn't have browsed its right sources!

Could you please throw some light on this so that I can properly understand ? I'd deeply appreciate it!

Regards,

A new guy on the board. Welcome on board!

Better than a long speech, here are a few reminders with examples:

Expression de la cause

1.    Emploi d’une conjonction

On peut employer les conjonctions suivantes introduisant une subordonnée :

as   comme  - since  puisque  - for  car

As he’d already been to Australia, I asked his advice about flights.

Comme il était déjà allé en Australie, je lui ai demandé conseil pour les vols.

Since you speak Spanish, could you call this hotel for me?

Puisque tu parles espagnol, pourrais-tu appeler cet hôtel pour moi ?

He got a standing ovation, for it was a great performance.

On lui a fait une ovation, car ce fut une interprétation magnifique.

2. Emploi d’une préposition

On peut employer les prépositions suivantes introduisant un groupe nominal :

because of    à cause de                       owing to        )

for                 pour                               due to              ) en raison de/à cause de

                                                           on account of  )

The match was cancelled because of the bad weather.

Le match a été annulé à cause du mauvais temps.

He’s been sentenced to life imprisonment, for killing several people.

Il a été condamné à perpétuité pour le meurtre de plusieurs personnes.

Owing to a technical fault, the ferry is delayed.

En raison d’un ennui technique, le ferry est retardé.

They arrived late due to the storm. Ils sont arrivés tard en raison de l’orage.

On account of his being late, we lost the contract.

En raison de son retard, nous avons perdu le contrat.

NB Les prépositions owing to, due to et on account of relèvent d’un emploi formel.

Source : LE ROBERT & NATHAN, Grammaire de l’anglais – Éditions NATHAN

[Leximaniac]

Thank you JRB, that's much clearer now !

However, I was wondering... Is its use rather literary ? Is "for" more appropriate than "because" within a specific context ?

[Jean B]

For is mostly used in the written language, preceded by a comma. The dependent clause it introduces is never set at the beginning of the sentence.

He is glad that the holidays are over, for he is very fond of school-life. Il est content que les vacances soient terminées, car il aime beaucoup l'école.

As far as I understand, for and because don't obey the same rules. Please note I'm no grammarian. 

[Leximaniac]

Noted !  That clarification though... Really helpful ! 

Thanks a lot JRB  

[Jean B]

You're welcome.