Cause

parce que

StandardA1

What follows

parce que + a clause in the indicative

See the subjunctive entry →

Function

Cause

Meaning

Gives the cause, and answers the question "why?".

Position and punctuation

within the sentence · no comma

Example

Je vous écris parce que je n'ai pas reçu la confirmation de mon inscription.

I am writing to you because I have not received confirmation of my registration.

In the DELF

the B1 letter · the B2 oral presentation

The trap

It is the only one in the family that can answer "why?" on its own. Car cannot: to "Pourquoi es-tu parti ?" you answer "Parce que j'étais fatigué", never "Car j'étais fatigué".

Read the full lesson : Expressing cause →

Same function

Pairs often confused