Grammar Info
N4 Lesson 6: 8/16
～て (Reasons and Causes)And・and so, Due to, Because of, Since, Conjunctive
Notice that Verb[て] + すみません uses this version of て
Structure
Verb［て］+ Phrase
［い］Adjective［て］+ Phrase
［な］Adjective + で + Phrase
Noun + で + Phrase
Exceptions:
いい ￫ よくて + B
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About Verb[て] + B
One of the functions that the conjunction particle て performs in Japanese is very similar to 'since', or 'due to', in English. Phrases that use this particular (A) て (B) nuance of the て-form primarily express something that is beyond the control of the speaker in the (B) statement.
To use this grammar construction, pair the て-form of a verb or い-Adjective with the (B) phrase. In the case of nouns and な-Adjectives, で (the particle) will be used instead.
Fun Fact
The 'because' nuance of て (or で) in this grammar construction is primarily influenced by the (B) phrase being something that is uncontrollable, rather than being a different meaning of the particles て, or で themselves. Literally the meaning is closer to the following:
(A) て 困る - Being troubled cannot be controlled, so (A) must have caused it.
(A) て 嬉しい - Being happy cannot be controlled, so (A) must have caused it.
(A) て 大変 - Having a problem cannot be controlled, so (A) must have caused it.
(A) て びっくり - Being surprised cannot be controlled, so (A) must have caused it.
(A) て 疲れている - Being worn-out cannot be controlled, so (A) must have caused it.
(A) て 心配 - Feeling anxiety cannot be controlled, so (A) must have caused it.
Many other words, such as the ones listed above will cause て (or で) to have a similar nuance. てすみません also uses this meaning of て, as すみません is a feeling that the speaker cannot control, relating to the situation being left unfinished.
Related
Examples
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文字も小さすぎて読めないよ。
The characters are too small and I cannot read them. (I cannot read the characters because they are too small)
部屋が綺麗でのんびりできます。
I can relax because the room is clean. (The room is clean and I can relax)
メアリーがアメリカに帰って悲しいです。
Mary returned to the USA and I am sad. (I am sad because Mary returned to the USA)
おとなしさんは病気で参加できませんでした。
Mr. Otonashi was sick and could not participate. (Mr. Otonashi was unable to participate due to being ill)
おっちゃんのコンサートは雨で中止になった。
O-chan's concert has been canceled due to the rain.
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て for reasons
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Verb[て] + B – Grammar Discussion
Most Recent Replies (17 in total)
nekoyama
I don’t think there is a big difference in meaning. That’s why bunpro will not mark you wrong if you enter なので. It just asks for a different answer because it wants to make sure you remember this grammar point, and not just any way to say “because”.
electrosuccess
In example " 先週、インフルエンザに___、仕事を休んだのです。", the verb to be conjugated is “かかる”. The hint says that it’s ichidan verb. However, the correct answer is かかって, not かかて. According to jisho, it is a godan verb, so it appears that the hint is wrong. Is that right?
Hwesta
In the example sentence 虫歯で歯が痛い how is the で different from で (by) or で (means and manner) or the the general sense of:
で is a particle that has several different uses in Japanese. At its core, it is always used to highlight something that is ‘required’ to perform some sort of action.
Something like “the cavity (as required context or means), teeth hurt”
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