Structure of Causal Subordinate Clauses
Causal subordinate clauses typically follow the main clause and are introduced by conjunctions that indicate cause or reason The most common conjunctions include porque because ya que since puesto que since and como as The general structure is Main clause conjunction subordinate clause
The subordinate clause often explains the cause or reason for the action in the main clause These clauses can appear in different tenses depending on the temporal context of the cause and effect
Common Conjunctions
Porque because
Porque is the most straightforward and frequently used conjunction to express cause or reason It is used to directly explain why something happens
Examples
1 No fui a la fiesta porque estaba enfermo I did not go to the party because I was sick
The subordinate clause porque estaba enfermo provides the reason for not going to the party
2 Estudié mucho porque quería aprobar el examen I studied a lot because I wanted to pass the exam
The subordinate clause porque quería aprobar el examen explains the motive for studying a lot
Ya que since
Ya que is used to introduce a reason that is assumed to be known or obvious to the listener It provides background information that justifies the main action
Examples
1 Ya que estás aquí ayúdame con esto Since you are here help me with this
The subordinate clause ya que estás aquí provides the reason for the request for help
2 No pudimos salir ya que estaba lloviendo We could not go out since it was raining
The subordinate clause ya que estaba lloviendo explains why going out was not possible
Puesto que since
Puesto que is similar to ya que and is used to introduce a reason that is taken as given or wellknown It often appears in more formal contexts
Examples
1 Puesto que tienes experiencia te contratarán Since you have experience they will hire you
The subordinate clause puesto que tienes experiencia justifies the hiring decision
2 Nos fuimos temprano puesto que no había nada más que hacer We left early since there was nothing else to do
The subordinate clause puesto que no había nada más que hacer provides the reason for leaving early
Como as
Como is often used at the beginning of a sentence to highlight the cause before presenting the main clause It emphasizes the reason by placing it at the forefront
Examples
1 Como estaba cansado me fui a dormir temprano As I was tired I went to bed early
The subordinate clause como estaba cansado explains the reason for going to bed early
2 Como no teníamos dinero no pudimos viajar As we had no money we could not travel
The subordinate clause como no teníamos dinero provides the reason for not being able to travel
Variations in Verb Tense
Causal subordinate clauses can appear in various tenses depending on the temporal relationship between the cause and the effect These tenses include the present past and future
Present Tense
1 No puedo salir porque estoy trabajando I cannot go out because I am working
Both the main clause and the subordinate clause are in the present tense indicating a current situation
2 Ella está feliz ya que ganó el premio She is happy since she won the prize
The main clause is in the present tense while the subordinate clause can refer to a recent past event
Past Tense
1 No fui a la reunión porque tuve un compromiso previo I did not go to the meeting because I had a previous engagement
Both the main clause and the subordinate clause are in the past tense indicating a past reason for a past action
2 Nos quedamos en casa puesto que nevaba mucho We stayed at home since it was snowing a lot
Both clauses are in the past tense explaining a past decision
Future Tense
1 Voy a estudiar más porque quiero mejorar mis notas I am going to study more because I want to improve my grades
1 Por no tener dinero no pudo comprar el libro For not having money he could not buy the book
The infinitive por no tener dinero explains the reason for not being able to buy the book
2 Al ver la lluvia decidió quedarse en casa Seeing the rain he decided to stay home
The construction al ver la lluvia provides the cause for the decision to stay home
Combining Multiple Causal Clauses
Complex sentences can include multiple causal subordinate clauses to provide detailed explanations for actions and events
Examples
1 No pudimos ir al parque porque estaba lloviendo y porque el coche se descompuso We could not go to the park because it was raining and because the car broke down
This sentence includes two causal subordinate clauses each providing a reason for not going to the park
2 Ella está preocupada ya que tiene un examen mañana y porque no ha estudiado suficiente She is worried since she has an exam tomorrow and because she has not studied enough
The sentence combines two reasons to explain her worry
Implicit Causal Relationships
Sometimes causal relationships are implied rather than explicitly stated with conjunctions Context and verb tenses can indicate the causeandeffect relationship
