No fui a la fiesta porque estaba enfermo.
English: I didn't go to the party because I was sick.
- Language
- Spanish
- Level
- B1
- Unit
- Expresiones de causa, consecuencia, finalidad, condición y tiempo
- Practice types
- 0
What this grammar point covers
In Spanish, 'expresiones de causa y consecuencia' are words and phrases used to explain why something happens (the cause) and what happens as a result (the consequence).
When to use it
Use these expressions when you want to explain the reason for an action or result, or to link two sentences to show cause and effect.
Key forms
- porque + verbo: Estudio español porque me gusta.
- ya que + verbo: No salgo ya que está lloviendo.
- como + verbo (al principio de la frase): Como hace frío, llevo abrigo.
- por eso / así que + verbo: Está cansado, por eso no sale.
- debido a + sustantivo: No fui debido a la lluvia.
Examples
Hace calor, así que abrimos la ventana.
English: It's hot, so we open the window.
Como llegué tarde, perdí el autobús.
English: Since I arrived late, I missed the bus.
Está lloviendo, por eso no salimos.
English: It's raining, that's why we don't go out.
No trabajó debido a la fiebre.
English: He/She didn't work due to the fever.
Tips
- Use 'porque' in the middle of the sentence, not at the beginning.
- 'Como' for cause goes at the start of the sentence.
- 'Por eso' and 'así que' introduce the consequence, not the cause.
Exceptions and edge cases
- Do not use 'porque' at the beginning of a sentence to express cause.
- After 'debido a', use a noun, not a verb.