Day 9 - Conjunctions of Conclusion

The French conjunctions parce que, car, puisque, and comme are commonly used to draw conclusions or otherwise relate a cause or explanation with a result or conclusion.

• Parce que - Because 

Parce que is a subordinating conjunction and can begin a sentence. Parce que introduces a cause, explanation, or motive - it explains why something is done.

 Je ne suis pas venu parce que mon fils est malade.
 I didn't come because my son is sick.

 Parce qu'il n'a pas d'argent, il ne peut pas venir.
 Because he doesn't have any money, he can't come.

• Car - Because 

For Car is a coordinating conjunction, should not begin a sentence, and is mainly found in formal and written French. Car supports a judgment or indicates a reason.
 La réunion fut annulée car le président est malade.
 The meeting was canceled because the chairman is sick.

 David ne va pas venir, car il est à l'université.
 David isn't coming, for he is (away) at school.

• Puisque - Since, because 

Puisque is a subordinating conjunction and can begin a sentence. Puisque gives an obvious explanation or justification, rather than a cause.

 Tu peux partir puisque tu es malade.
 You can leave, since you're sick.

 Puisque c'était son erreur, il m'a aidé.
 Since it was his mistake, he helped me.

•  Comme - As, since 

Comme is a subordinating conjunction and usually begins a sentence. Comme highlights the link between a consequence and its result.

 Comme je lis le plus vite, j'ai déjà fini.
 As I read the fastest, I've already finished.

 Comme il est faible, il ne pouvait pas le lever.
 Since he is weak, he couldn't lift it.