French Subordinate Clause of Cause

Definition

• The subordinate circumstantial clause of cause, also called causal, indicates the reason why the action of the main clause is accomplished.
• It is introduced by a conjunction or a conjunctive locution of subordination.

Conjunctions

• Common conjunctions include "comme" (as) and "puisque" (since).
  • Example: "Comme il fait beau, je vais me promener" (As it is nice, I will go for a walk); "Puisque j'ai bien compris la leçon, je peux faire les exercices" (Since I understood the lesson, I can do the exercises).

Conjunctive Locutions

• These include "parce que" (because), "sous prétexte que" (under the pretext that), "vu que" (given that), "étant donné que" (given that), "du moment que" (as long as), "dès lors que" (since), "attendu que" (considering that), etc.
  • Example: "Il ferme la porte parce que tous les étudiants sont sortis" (He closes the door because all the students have left); "Elle ne faisait jamais ce devoir sous prétexte que sa mère était malade" (She never did this homework under the pretext that her mother was sick); "Étant donné que tu as bien compris la leçon, tu peux faire l'exercice avec tes camarades" (Given that you understood the lesson, you can do the exercise with your classmates).

Verb Moods

• The subordinate causal clause is most often in the indicative mood.
• It can also be found in the conditional or subjunctive mood.

Indicative Mood

• The verb in the subordinate causal clause is conjugated in the indicative when the expressed fact is presented as certain or very likely.
  • Example: "Puisque j'ai bien compris la leçon, je peux faire les exercices" (Since I understood the lesson, I can do the exercises) uses the passé composé of the indicative because it is a likely fact.

Subjunctive Mood

• The verb is conjugated in the subjunctive when the presented cause is rejected, judged invalid, or uncertain.
  • Example: "Elle ne sortira pas cette après-midi, non qu'elle n'aime pas la nature, mais parce qu'elle n'a pas terminé ses exercices" (She will not go out this afternoon, not because she doesn't like nature, but because she has not finished her exercises). Here, "non qu'elle n'aime" uses the subjunctive present.

Conditional Mood

• The verb of the subordinate causal clause is conjugated in the conditional when the cause is presented as hypothetical or supposed.
  • Example: "Je n'ai pas vu ni à l'entraînement parce qu'ils seraient occupés" (I have not seen him at training because he would be busy). Here, "seraient occupés" is in the conditional past.

Usage Notes for Conjunctions and Locutions

• "Parce que" is used to give an explanation; for example, "Il n'est pas venu parce qu'il était malade" (He did not come because he was sick).
• "Sous prétexte que" is used to indicate a false cause; for example, "Elle ne faisait jamais ses devoirs sous prétexte que sa mère était malade" (She never did her homework under the pretext that her mother was sick).
• "Puisque," "étant donné que," and "vu que" are used to express a known or evident cause; for example, "Étant donné que tu as bien compris la leçon, tu peux faire l'exercice avec des camarades" (Given that you understood the lesson, you can do the exercise with your classmates).
• "Non que... mais parce que" is used when there is a negation of one cause followed by another real cause; for example, "Il n'a pas mangé non qu'il n'ait pas faim, mais parce qu'il est pressé" (He did not eat not because he is not hungry, but because he is in a hurry).

Conclusion

• The subordinate circumstantial clause of cause establishes a logical relationship with the fact of the main clause on which it depends, expressing its origin or reason. It is introduced by a conjunction or a conjunctive locution of subordination and is most often in the indicative, but can also be in the conditional or subjunctive mood.