English has a lot of equivalent expressions that attract the attention of writing teachers and grammarians. Consider because/for, however/but, which/that, much/a lot, and others you can probably come up with yourself. Here's a link (http://arnoldzwicky.wordpress.com/2008/12/28/forbecause/) to an extraordinarily lucid and insightful posting on the topic by that extraordinarily lucid and insightful grammarian Arnold Zwicky. Follow the internal links, and you'll see a subtle, perceptive, and witty mind at work. Enjoy! Herbert F. W. Stahlke, Ph.D. Emeritus Professor of English Ball State University Muncie, IN 47306 [log in to unmask] To join or leave this LISTSERV list, please visit the list's web interface at: http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/ateg.html and select "Join or leave the list" Visit ATEG's web site at http://ateg.org/