Understanding the use of conjunctions and prepositions is essential when learning a new language, especially Spanish, which has its own unique ways of expressing time, cause, and reason. Two such words that often confuse learners are ‘as’ and ‘since.’ These words play important roles in English, often used to express causation or time-related contexts. However, their equivalents and usage in Spanish require careful explanation to avoid misunderstandings. This topic will delve into the meanings and uses of ‘as’ and ‘since’ in Spanish, their translations, grammar rules, and examples that help clarify their proper application in everyday conversation and writing.
Understanding As and Since in English
Before exploring their Spanish equivalents, it is important to understand the English meanings of as and since. Both words can be used as conjunctions, but they have slightly different functions.
- As: Often used to indicate cause or reason, similar to because. For example, ‘As it was raining, we stayed inside.’
- Since: Used both to indicate time (from a point in the past until now) and to express cause or reason, similar to because. For example, ‘Since you’re here, let’s start the meeting,’ or ‘I have lived here since 2010.’
While in English, as and since can sometimes be interchangeable when expressing cause, Spanish differentiates more clearly between them.
Translating As in Spanish
The word as in English has several translations in Spanish depending on its function. When as means because or since (causal), common translations include:
- Como: The most common translation when as means because. Example: ‘Como estaba lloviendo, nos quedamos en casa.’ (‘As it was raining, we stayed inside.’)
- Ya que: A more formal or explicit way to say since or because. Example: ‘Ya que no tienes tiempo, haré el trabajo por ti.’ (‘As you don’t have time, I will do the work for you.’)
As can also be translated differently when it is used in other contexts (such as comparisons), but for causal purposes, como is usually the go-to word.
Using Como at the Beginning of a Sentence
When como is used as as meaning because, it often appears at the beginning of a sentence or clause. This sets the cause upfront, making the sentence clear and natural.
Example:
- Como no habÃa luz, no pudimos terminar el trabajo. (As there was no electricity, we couldn’t finish the work.)
Note that when como begins a sentence in this way, the verb that follows is typically in the indicative mood, as it states a fact or cause.
Translating Since in Spanish
Since has two main uses in English: temporal and causal. Each use corresponds to different expressions in Spanish.
1. Temporal Since
When since refers to a point in time, the Spanish equivalent is often desde or desde que. This indicates when an action started and continues until now.
Example:
- He estado aquà desde 2010. (I have been here since 2010.)
- No la veo desde que se mudó. (I haven’t seen her since she moved.)
Desde is used with dates, times, or events, marking the beginning of an action or state.
2. Causal Since
When since is used to express cause or reason, similar to because, Spanish uses expressions like:
- Ya que
- Puesto que
- Dado que
- Como
All these expressions can introduce a cause or reason. They are often interchangeable, though some carry different levels of formality.
Example:
- Ya que estás aquÃ, vamos a empezar la reunión. (Since you’re here, let’s start the meeting.)
- Puesto que no tienes tiempo, te ayudaré. (Since you don’t have time, I will help you.)
Differences Between Como and Ya que
While como and ya que both mean as or since in a causal sense, there are subtle differences:
- Como: More common in spoken Spanish, informal and often at the beginning of a sentence.
- Ya que: Slightly more formal, used in writing and speech, emphasizes the reason more explicitly.
Choosing between them depends on context and tone, but both serve the same purpose in most cases.
Common Phrases with As and Since in Spanish
- As far as I know: Hasta donde sé
- As soon as possible: Tan pronto como sea posible
- Since then: Desde entonces
- Since when?: ¿Desde cuándo?
Examples in Sentences
- As I mentioned earlier, the project is delayed.
Como mencioné antes, el proyecto está retrasado. - Since you arrived, everything has improved.
Desde que llegaste, todo ha mejorado. - She has worked here since 2015.
Ella trabaja aquà desde 2015. - Since it is raining, we should stay indoors.
Ya que está lloviendo, deberÃamos quedarnos adentro.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using desde for cause: Remember, desde is only temporal, not causal.
- Overusing como at the beginning: While natural in spoken Spanish, avoid repetition in formal writing.
- Confusing porque and como: Both mean because, but porque typically appears after the main clause, while como often begins the sentence.
Summary
In Spanish, as and since translate into several words depending on context. For causal as and since, words like como, ya que, and puesto que are most common. For temporal since, the translation is usually desde or desde que. Understanding these differences is key to mastering how to express time and cause effectively in Spanish. Practice using these words in sentences, paying attention to their placement and formality to improve your fluency and clarity.