since / inasmuch as

[upthera44.livejournal.com]

Something I often want to say but don't feel confident in saying properly is the construction

Since / inasmuch as [something], [conclusion].

For example:

Since I am not a linguist, I don't know very much about language families.

Inasmuch as we meet here to improve our language skills, I think we should use this time wisely and discuss something useful.

I've seen the words поскольку and насколько used in these situations. What are the differences between them? Is there another better alternative? What is the most conversation way of saying this?

Thanks

Comments

[oryx_and_crake]

Поскольку is OK in this situation, насколько is not at all. Насколько is used in the phrase Насколько я знаю... (as far as I know).

[oryx_and_crake]

Both examples you give will use поскольку.

Поскольку я не лингвист, я очень мало знаю о языковых семействах.
Поскольку мы собрались здесь, чтобы получше изучить язык... etc.

Насколько is never used in this sense. It is not a synonym with поскольку.

[malim-praedari.livejournal.com]

You can also use "постольку, поскольку", especially if it comes in the middle, rather than the beginning, of the sentence.

[upthera44.livejournal.com]

Ok great thanks. In English we have "since" and "inasmuch as" and probably a couple others. "Since" is MUCH more conversational and saying "inasmuch as" in everyday conversation would seem strange I think. Does "poskol'ku" have this overly formal sound or is it ok?

[oryx_and_crake]

For conversational tone I would replace it with раз:

Раз мы собрались сюда, чтобы изучать язык, давайте не будем отвлекаться.

[wolk-off.livejournal.com]

>Раз мы собрались сюда,

Hmmm. Wouldn't собрались здесь sound less Odessite? ;-)

[oryx_and_crake]

as you wish

[zespri.livejournal.com]

LOL. Well spotted.

[zespri.livejournal.com]

Also I could use "так как" instead of "раз". "раз" sounds a bit more relaxed/natural though.