If the action of the since-clause is continued to the present, use the present perfect: Since I've been in this peaceful place (I'm still there), I've been very happy.
When speaking or thinking in the past, the tense of the main clause will be thrown back one degree into the past, thus: In 1980,1 had not seen my parents since I had left home. Since clocks had been invented, no great mechanical genius had arisen till Leonardo da Vinci astonished the world.
As- and since-clauses can be used to give the reason for an action or situation. They are used when the reason is already well known, or is less important than the rest of the sentence. Since is a little more formal than as: Since you refuse to pay, we shall be forced to take legal action. As I had no money with me, I didn 't pay him.
NOTES:
1. When the reason is the most important part of the sentence or unexpected, because is generally used, and because-clause usually comes at the end of the sentence: You will never learn because you are idle. You want to know why I didn't tell you? I didn't tell you because I forgot, simply.
2. For suggests that the reason is given as an explanation for the action, as an afterthought. For-clauses never come at the beginning of the sentence: / know what we shall have for dinner, for I have seen the menu. Of all spots in the world it was perhaps the most sacred to him, for he had loved his father.
3. In a formal and literary style for is used to indicate the reason for mentioning what has been said previously: The visitors will be well content to walk around at their own pace, stopping for rest or refreshment. For it is a long day's walk, and the scenery is very enjoyable.
EXERCISES
Ex. 11. (A, B) Define the functions of the conjunctions since and as. Translate the sentences.
1. She had left them after a brief visit, saying that as the day was a special day, she should hurry back home and get ready for the party. 2. The Manchester train came just as he reached the station. 3. He stood watching her as she went out of the shop. 4. He knew that the arrival of letters for him was impossible since nobody knew his address. 5. She took her bag from Denis, who had carried it since it fell. 6. What have you been doing since George has been away? 7. As the twilight was beginning to fade, they heard the sound of horse's hoofs. 8. After lunch, since the afternoon was so fine, I took out a deckchair (шезлонг) into my little rose garden. 9. As it is already late, you had better go. 10. As the fog was collecting rapidly, it began to grow dark in earnest. 11. You've been getting thinner since I last saw you. 12. Since our birthdays fall on the same day, our lives are probably parallel. 13. He rose to his feet and pulled on his jacket as Elizabeth entered the room. 14. As the news had already spread through the picket lines, there was nothing left for them to do, but start negotiating. 15. He hasn't worked since you bad-mouthed him. 16. Since the Russians launched the world's first artificial satellite in 1957, this newest branch of science has advanced in great strides. 17. Many times since the Earth was young, the place had lain under the sea. 18. I've been able to do it since I was a child. 19. As life on Earth began to burgeon (расцветать), as plants covered its surface and its
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waters teemed (кишеть) with creatures, the planet began to add further layers (слои) formed from this new, organic life it had brought into being. 20. As women were not supposed to serve in cavalry, she disguised herself as man and joined the fighting army.
Ex. 12. (В, С) Fill in the blanks with the proper conjunction: as, since, because or for.
1.________ the light fell on his face, he turned round. 2.1 asked her and looked curiously at
her________ she looked so curiously at me. 3._________ it was late, we decided to stop
work and go home. 4. Ten days had passed_______ the ominous news had come. 5. Here
one may dream in utter restfulness whilst the great white clouds mirror themselves in the
water________ they pas above. 6.________ he went down the stairs, I walked across to my
window and pulled the curtain. 7. This room was chill,________ it seldom had fire. 8. You
might as well wait for me in the lobby,_______ I may stay in his office awhile. 9. He could be
wrong, especially________ he isn't even sure about the car. 10. "Isn't it a gorgeous day?"
Miss Pulteney said_______ she went by, flashing a smile and looking just exactly like a queen
in the beautiful black mink coat that the Colonel had given to Mrs Bixby. 11. She had had to
give up doing overtime at work________ there was so much to do at home. 12. When they
do find work as extra (кино - статист), they get peanuts (зд.: гроши),__________ only the
stars make megabucks. 13. Her skin -_________ this was her sixth month with child - had
acquired a wonderful translucent quality. 14. The drop of her head_______ she bent over
her sewing was curiously tranquil. 15. She wasn't really watching him but she knew what he had
done________ she heard the ice cubes falling back against the bottom of the empty glass
when he lowered his arm. 16. "Then why did yoirask them?" The question slipped out before
I could stop myself and I regretted it at once,________ it is a rule with me never to provoke
my wife if I can help it. 17.__________ USSR Motorboat Federation has joined the Union
Internationale Motomautique (UIM) in 1969, many Soviet and Russian sportsmen won a number of titles and awardain international competitions. 18. "America has been the New World in all
tongues, to all peoples, (---),________ all those who came here believed they could create
upon this continent a new life - a life that should be new in freedom," President Roosevelt said.
19.1 have seen many wonderful things_________ I 've been in Cairo. 20,_________ our birthdays
fall on the same day, our lives are probably parallel. 21. Of Man, there was still no sign,
_______ a million years ago, although he walked upon two legs, his skull was still like that of
an ape. 22._______ he didn't come, I went away without waiting for him. 23. The picture fell
_______ the cord broke. 24. England has never been invaded______ William of Normandy
conquered it in 1066. 25._______ Emily and I are astrologically in sync (синхронны), I'm able
to tune in to her thoughts. 26. "Tell Christopher Swatt hello for me," she said, enjoying the
startled look on Wright's face_______ she left his office. 27._______ you raise no objection,
I presume you agree to what I suggest. 28.1 can't do this exercise_____ I don't understand
the rule. 29. Oh, she's jolly glad to get so much taken off her hands;________ before Eliza
came, she used to have to find things and remind me of my appointments.
2.6 UNTIL/TILL AND BEFORE
A subordinate clause introduced by before expresses that the action/situation in the main clause is prior to that in the subordinate: A year had passed before we got any news of him. (..., прежде чем ...)