～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

Details

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(こま)る - Being troubled cannot be controlled, so (A) must have caused it.

(A) て嬉(うれ)しい - Being happy cannot be controlled, so (A) must have caused it.

(A) て大変(たいへん) - 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(つか)れている - Being worn-out cannot be controlled, so (A) must have caused it.

(A) て心配(しんぱい) - 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.

Synonyms

Examples

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文字(もじ)も小(ちい)さすぎて読(よ)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(へや)が綺麗(きれい)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(かえ)って悲(かな)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(びょうき)で参加(さんか)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(あめ)で中止(ちゅうし)になった。

O-chan's concert has been canceled due to the rain.

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Verb[て] + B – Grammar Discussion

Most Recent Replies (16 in total)

lorenzosama
Thank you for the response. I think I sort of understand but I want to make sure I’m really getting it. I’m not sure I understand what the difference is between “because it’s raining” vs “due to the rain”. I think my understanding now is that ので should be working on full sentences but the particle で by itself can be used to add context to the verb within the sentence?
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?