Structure
Verb + こととて
Verb［ない］+ ぬ(1) + こととて
Noun + の + こととて
(1) ない
Details
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Formal
About こととて
こととて is a combination of the noun こと 'thing', and the binding (adverbial) particle とて, which is used for presenting reasons. It will be translated as 'due to (A)', or 'because of (A)'. This is a fairly old-fashioned expression, and will almost exclusively be used in writing in modern Japanese.
To use こととて, attach it to the end of a verb, or a noun followed by the case-marking particle の.
こととて will primarily be used when asking for forgiveness for something. Due to this, when appearing after verbs, the verb will usually be in past tense, or have been negated with either ない or ぬ. This highlights something that was done and shouldn't have been, or wasn't done and should have been.
In many cases, (A) will be something for which the negative result of (B) is obvious, or to be expected.
Fun Fact
とて is thought to either be a combination of the case-marking particle と and the conjunction particle て, or the conjunctive form of the classical auxiliary verb たり, と, and the conjunction particle て. As the origin is unclear, it will be best to think of it as its own structure, that carries its own original meaning.
Examples
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時代劇、Ａ：「あなたのお父さんによろしくお伝えください。」
Ｂ：「お父さんは遥か昔に亡くなりました。」
Ａ：「そうでしたか。知らぬこととて、失礼をお許しください。」
A period drama, A: 'Please, send my greetings to your father.'
B: 'My father passed away long ago.'
A: 'Is that so? Please, forgive my rudeness due to my lack of knowledge.'
古い手紙：「取り込み中のこととてご迷惑をおかけしましたがなにとぞご寛容のほどお願い申し上げます。」
Old letter: 'I have caused you a lot of trouble due to being busy, but I would kindly ask for your understanding.'
「仕事になれぬこととて間違いをしてしまいました。申し訳ございません。」
'I made a mistake due to not being accustomed to the work. For that I am awfully sorry.'
「田舎のこととて年齢や学年に関係なく生徒が勉強する教室が１教室だけしかなかった。」
Since it was the countryside, there was only one classroom where school children studied, regardless of their age or grade.
「子供がやったこととて、親としてお詫び申し上げます。」
'Since my child did it, I would like to apologize as their parent.'
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