Parce que, Car, Puisque, Comme

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. These conjunctions have similar but not identical meanings and uses - this lesson explains the difference.
 

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.

  

Conjunctions     Expressions "Then" in French More confusing pairs     French grammar

  

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