Because and in that

[conspicuously139]

How to accurately differentiate between because and in that in doing the GMAT SC? because I saw the Official Guide 11 stated that in that is overly used and old-fashion. it cannot be frequently used. But actually I saw some articles in using in that more frequently. Now I am so confused how to use it.

Thanks!

[conspicuously139]

51. The Olympic Games helped to keep peace among the pugnacious states of the Greek world in that a sacred truce was proclaimed during the festival's month.
(A)world in that a sacred truce was proclaimed during the festival's month
(B)world, proclaiming a sacred truce during the festival's month
(C)world when they proclaimed a sacred truce for the festival month
(D)world, for a sacred truce was proclaimed during the month of the festival
(E)world by proclamation of a sacred truce that was for the month of the festival

Idiom + Rhetorical construction


This sentence depends on using the correct conjunction to join two independent clauses. In that is a conjunction that means inasmuch as; because in that has largely gone out of use, it is considered stilted and overly formal. It also uses two words when one would do. In this sentence, the second clause explains the first one, so the conjunction for; meaning because, is the most appropriate choice for joining the tow independent clauses of the compound sentence.

A In that is stilted and overly formal
B It is not clear who would be doing the proclaiming; a clause is preferable to a phase here
C They is ambiguous, possibly referring to either the states or the Games
D Correct. In this sentence, the conjunction for joins the two clauses correctly and economically.
E Wordy and awkward construction

The correct answer is D.


Here, GMAT's explanation for in that has largely gone out of use, but as matter of fact, it is still largely used in the GMAT SC section.

[mitzi]

Hi conspicuously139

I think that both have very similar meaning. but I think that
because describes a logical causality (cause-effect) better than 'in that'

e.g)Why were you sleeping? Because I was tired.
tired(cause) ---> sleeping(effect)

whereas 'in that' suggests in the following example that since Mitzi answers 10 questions per day, Mitzi is a contributor.

e.g) Mitzi is a valuable contributor to the forum in that Mitzi answers 10 questions per day.

it is hard to tease this subtle difference out. I do know there is a slightly difference nuance.



whereas 'in that'