Seeing as means since or because: it gives a reason that's obvious to both people. Seeing as the shop is closed, let's order online. It's conversational: natural in speech and messages, while essays and business emails use since or given that instead. Seeing that means the same.
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seeing as / seeing that + subject + verb
- Seeing as the shop is closed, let's order the parts online.
- I'll make some extra soup, seeing as you're staying for lunch.
- Seeing that both routes take an hour, we chose the quieter one.
What changed
First versionSeeing as the rain, we stayed at home.
RevisionSeeing as it was raining, we stayed at home.
Because of the rain needs no verb, and seeing as feels like the same kind of phrase, so a noun goes straight after it. But seeing as works like because: it needs a full clause with a subject and a verb, it was raining. For a noun, use because of: because of the rain.
Since and given that mean the same but also fit an essay: Since the data is incomplete, the results are uncertain. Seeing as is for friends and colleagues: Seeing as you're up, can you make some tea? Because is neutral and works anywhere.
Your turn
___ it's your birthday, I'll pay for dinner.
Show the answer
Seeing as — A full clause follows the gap, it's your birthday, and because of needs a noun: because of your birthday. Seeing as takes exactly this kind of clause and sounds friendly in conversation.
Suggest a plan to a friend based on something obvious: the weather, a free evening, the shop round the corner. Start with seeing as.
Seeing as it's sunny, let's have lunch in the park.
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