This week’s lesson will focus on causative subordinate conjunctions. As their label suggests, these conjunctions introduce a causative subordinate clause.
In the example above, the speaker explains that they have already seen the movie (cause) and as a result, they will not attend (effect).
These conjunctions normally translate to the English because, for, since, or given that and tend to be interchangeable:
perché = because, for
*poiché = because, for, since
giacché = since, as
siccome = given that, because, since, as
As demonstrated with the example above, these conjunctions (with the exception of perché) can come at the beginning of the sentence. In these cases, the subordinate clause introduces the main one.
NB: poiché almost always performs this function:
The following are common conjunctive phrases, which are groups of words acting together as conjunctions:
visto che = given that, since
dato che = given that, since
per il fatto che = due to the fact that/ given that
dal momento che = considering/ since
| Non vado al cinema con voi perché ho già visto quel film. I am not going to the movies with you because I already saw that movie. |
In the example above, the speaker explains that they have already seen the movie (cause) and as a result, they will not attend (effect).
These conjunctions normally translate to the English because, for, since, or given that and tend to be interchangeable:
perché = because, for
*poiché = because, for, since
giacché = since, as
siccome = given that, because, since, as
| Siccome Carlo non si sente bene, non verrà alla mia festa di compleanno. Since Carlo doesn’t feel well, he will not come to my birthday party. |
As demonstrated with the example above, these conjunctions (with the exception of perché) can come at the beginning of the sentence. In these cases, the subordinate clause introduces the main one.
NB: poiché almost always performs this function:
| Poiché tu parli tedesco, non avremo problemi in Germania. Since you speak German, we will be ok in Germany. |
The following are common conjunctive phrases, which are groups of words acting together as conjunctions:
visto che = given that, since
dato che = given that, since
per il fatto che = due to the fact that/ given that
dal momento che = considering/ since
| Me ne vado, visto che dovete studiare. I’m leaving, given that you guys have to study. Dato che domani è domenica, dovremo aspettare fino a lunedì per ricevere il pacchetto. Given that/Since tomorrow is Sunday, we will have to wait until Monday to receive the package. Per il fatto che sono vegetariano, non mangio molto cibo brasiliano. Due to the fact that/Given that I am a vegetarian, I don’t eat much Brazilian food. Questa mattina sono andato a scuola a piedi, dal momento che c'era uno sciopero degli autobus. Considering/Since there was a bus strike, I went to school by foot this morning. |