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 |
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