Cause and concession – parce que, puisque, grâce à, pourtant, même si
Because, since, thanks to, and yet, even if
Part of the free B1 French course. Press the speaker next to an example to hear it.
To give a reason or to admit a point, French has a handful of small words. They aren't interchangeable: each has its own grammar and its own nuance.
Cause: parce que, puisque, car
Parce que gives a reason the listener doesn't know yet. It answers pourquoi ?
- Je reste à la maison parce que je suis malade.I'm staying at home because I'm ill.
- Pourquoi tu ris ? Parce que ton chapeau est drôle.Why are you laughing? Because your hat is funny.
Puisque (since, seeing that) gives a reason both speakers already know or accept. It often comes first in the sentence:
- Puisque tu es là, tu peux m'aider.Since you're here, you can help me.
- Puisqu'il pleut, on reste à l'intérieur.Since it's raining, we're staying inside.
Car (for, as) belongs to writing and formal speech. It never starts a sentence and never answers a question:
- Le magasin est fermé, car c'est dimanche.The shop is closed, as it's Sunday.
Answer pourquoi ? with parce que, never with car or puisque.
Cause + noun: à cause de, grâce à
Before a noun, use a preposition, not parce que: - à cause de (because of): usually a cause with a bad result; - grâce à (thanks to): a cause with a good result.
- Le match est annulé à cause de la pluie.The match is cancelled because of the rain.
- J'ai réussi grâce à mon professeur.I passed thanks to my teacher.
De and à combine with le and les: à cause du bruit, grâce aux enfants.
Parce que needs a clause with a verb (parce qu'il pleut); à cause de needs a noun (à cause de la pluie). Not parce que la pluie.
Concession: mais, pourtant, cependant
Mais (but) simply joins two contrasting ideas. Pourtant (and yet) adds surprise: the second fact goes against what the first would lead you to expect. Cependant (however) means much the same as pourtant but is more formal, and often comes after a full stop.
- Il est riche, mais il n'est pas heureux.He's rich, but he isn't happy.
- Elle a beaucoup travaillé, et pourtant elle a raté l'examen.She worked hard, and yet she failed the exam.
- Le projet est intéressant. Cependant, il coûte trop cher.The project is interesting. However, it costs too much.
Pourtant can also come after the verb: C'est pourtant simple ! (And yet it's simple!)
Même si: even if, even though
Même si + indicative admits a fact or a possibility and says it changes nothing:
- Je sortirai même s'il pleut.I'll go out even if it rains.
- Même si je suis fatigué, je viens avec toi.Even though I'm tired, I'm coming with you.
Si becomes s' only before il and ils: même s'il, but même si elle. As after si, use the present for a future event: not même s'il pleuvra.
Quick guide
| You want to say | + clause | + noun |
|---|---|---|
| because | parce que, car | à cause de |
| since (a known reason) | puisque | |
| thanks to | grâce à | |
| and yet, however | pourtant, cependant | |
| even if | même si |
Alors que and tandis que (whereas): Pendant que vs pendant. Formal concession with the subjunctive (bien que, quoique): Subjunctive after conjunctions, Concession.
Practice
- Je ne viens pas _____ je suis malade.Options: parce que · à cause de · grâce à
Show the answer
parce que — A clause (subject + verb) follows parce que. À cause de and grâce à come before a noun.
- Le train est en retard _____ la neige.Options: à cause de · parce que · grâce à
Show the answer
à cause de — La neige is a noun and the result is bad: à cause de.
- J'ai trouvé du travail _____ mon cousin.Options: grâce à · à cause de · parce que
Show the answer
grâce à — A noun with a good result: grâce à (thanks to).
- _____ tu as faim, mange quelque chose !
Show the answer
Puisque — Puisque gives a reason both people already know: you've just said you're hungry. Comme and vu que work too.