Cause & effect statements

Use the examples with their context and limits. Recall a sentence before reading the model. Original teaching additions accompany examples adapted from Chinese Grammar Wiki (AllSet Learning, CC BY-NC-SA); see the course reference provenance.

由于 (due to / owing to)

An asserted cause still needs evidence

• Traffic delayed your arrival.
• 由于堵车，我迟到了。 — 由于 introduces the traffic as the stated reason for lateness.

Build the form

• The pattern in this lesson is 由于 (due to / owing to). Locate it in the original interlinear examples below.
• Keep the words in their demonstrated positions; the pattern must fit the intended situation as well as the sentence form.

due to由于yóu yútraffic jam堵车dǔ chē，I我wǒlate迟到chí dào了le。

Read examples in context

• In the opening example, 由于堵车，我迟到了。: 由于 introduces the traffic as the stated reason for lateness.
• Explain who acts, what is described and which time or group is relevant before choosing an English paraphrase.

Know the boundary

• 因为 can often introduce the same cause.
• Formal register does not prove the causal explanation correct or exclusive.

Use the distinction

• 由于 introduces the traffic as the stated reason for lateness.
• 因为 can often introduce the same cause. Formal register does not prove the causal explanation correct or exclusive.

Try it with help closed

Traffic delayed your arrival. Close the examples. Say a Mandarin response, then write it in Chinese. Explain briefly in English what the lesson’s pattern adds. Compare with the model, then change one detail and try again.

One possible response: 由于堵车，我迟到了。

• My response conveys a message that fits the opening situation.
• I can explain the meaning of the pattern, rather than only naming it.
• 因为 can often introduce the same cause.
• Formal register does not prove the causal explanation correct or exclusive.
• I tried a second response with a name, time, place, or description changed.

Practise this pattern step by step.

既然 … ，就 … (since / now that)

Build advice on an accepted premise

• A friend has arrived and you invite them to sit.
• 既然来了，就坐吧。 — The arrival is treated as the accepted basis for the invitation.

Build the form

• The pattern in this lesson is 既然 … ，就 … (since / now that). Locate it in the original interlinear examples below.
• Keep the words in their demonstrated positions; the pattern must fit the intended situation as well as the sentence form.

since既然jì rányou你nǐcome来lái了le，then就jiùsit坐zuò吧ba。

Read examples in context

• In the opening example, 既然来了，就坐吧。: The arrival is treated as the accepted basis for the invitation.
• Explain who acts, what is described and which time or group is relevant before choosing an English paraphrase.

Know the boundary

• 因为 can introduce known as well as new causes.
• 既然 focuses on accepting a premise for a conclusion rather than a universal known-versus-new word division.

Use the distinction

• The arrival is treated as the accepted basis for the invitation.
• 因为 can introduce known as well as new causes. 既然 focuses on accepting a premise for a conclusion rather than a universal known-versus-new word division.

Try it with help closed

A friend has arrived and you invite them to sit. Close the examples. Say a Mandarin response, then write it in Chinese. Explain briefly in English what the lesson’s pattern adds. Compare with the model, then change one detail and try again.

One possible response: 既然来了，就坐吧。

• My response conveys a message that fits the opening situation.
• I can explain the meaning of the pattern, rather than only naming it.
• 因为 can introduce known as well as new causes.
• 既然 focuses on accepting a premise for a conclusion rather than a universal known-versus-new word division.
• I tried a second response with a name, time, place, or description changed.

Practise this pattern step by step.

因此 (therefore / for this reason)

A conclusion may be advice rather than a reported event

• A long journey is a reason to leave earlier.
• 路很远，因此要早点走。 — 因此 introduces the recommended consequence of the distance.

Build the form

• The pattern in this lesson is 因此 (therefore / for this reason). Locate it in the original interlinear examples below.
• Keep the words in their demonstrated positions; the pattern must fit the intended situation as well as the sentence form.

road路lùvery很hěnfar远yuǎn，therefore因此yīn cǐneed要yàoearly早zǎoa bit点diǎnleave走zǒu。

Read examples in context

• In the opening example, 路很远，因此要早点走。: 因此 introduces the recommended consequence of the distance.
• Explain who acts, what is described and which time or group is relevant before choosing an English paraphrase.

Know the boundary

• The consequence can be a decision, prediction or report.
• The sentence does not assert that an early departure already happened.

Use the distinction

• 因此 introduces the recommended consequence of the distance.
• The consequence can be a decision, prediction or report. The sentence does not assert that an early departure already happened.

Try it with help closed

A long journey is a reason to leave earlier. Close the examples. Say a Mandarin response, then write it in Chinese. Explain briefly in English what the lesson’s pattern adds. Compare with the model, then change one detail and try again.

One possible response: 路很远，因此要早点走。

• My response conveys a message that fits the opening situation.
• I can explain the meaning of the pattern, rather than only naming it.
• The consequence can be a decision, prediction or report.
• The sentence does not assert that an early departure already happened.
• I tried a second response with a name, time, place, or description changed.

Practise this pattern step by step.