here is a brief summary. i'm going to avoid using grammatical terms (mostly because i can't remember them); i'll just give examples instead.
a) Because
"because" connects two complete sentences (clauses). the sentence coming after "because" should actually be the cause of what is described in the other one.
e.g.
Because the bridge was closed, the morning rush hour lasted two extra hours.
The morning rush hour lasted two extra hours because the bridge was closed.
b) Since
one usage of "since" is basically identical to "because" (described above).
"since" can also be used with a noun that represents a starting time:
Barack Obama has been president since 2009.
c) Due to
should be followed by a noun.
also, this must DESCRIBE a noun. it is commonly used in speech to describe entire clauses/sentences/ideas, but that usage is wrong in the written language.
e.g.
unemployment due to offshoring is rising in factory towns. <-- here, "due to..." describes "unemployment"
much of the unemployment in factory towns is due to offshoring.
BUT
*
James was late due to the traffic <-- this is incorrect; you can't use "due to..." to describe an entire sentence/clause (such as "James was late").
d) because of
should be followed by a noun.
james was late because of the traffic.
e) for - (conjunction, refer OG12 #59)
this usage of "for" is a lot like "because", except in the sense that it suggests a slightly less direct causation.
here's an example: lots of people get sick in the winter. but that's not direct causation -- i.e., the winter weather doesn't directly cause people to become sick. instead, because it's cold outside, people tend to cluster together indoors, thus allowing increased transmission of germs.
for this sort of indirect causation, it's more appropriate to say
Many people are sick around here, for it is winter.
nobody will ever say this out loud, though -- it's strictly written language -- so you probably won't be familiar with it unless you read a fair amount of (decently formal) written english.
f) in that - (conjunction, OG12 says that 'in that' means 'in as much as' - #59)
X is Z because Y --> this must actually mean that there is a literal cause-and-effect relationship. in other words, this sentence claims that "Y" is actually the reason why "X" is "Z".
X is Z in that Y --> this is a qualifier; it implies that "Y" is the only certain way in which X is Z.
two examples:
My brother and I are like each other in that we both have quirky senses of humor
--> CORRECT
this sentence means that my brother and i share the same quirky sense of humor, but that we may (or may not) differ in any other aspect of our personalities.
My brother and I are like each other because we both have quirky senses of humor
--> UNREASONABLE MEANING
this sentence implies that our similar senses of humor have CAUSED our personalities to become alike. that's nonsense.
