Parce que, car or puisque: choosing your because
Vocalyra teaching team · Last updated:
French expresses because with parce que, car and puisque, and also comme (as or since), often used at the start of a causal clause. They are not always interchangeable: each has its own register and position in the sentence.
Parce que: the everyday answer
Parce que answers the question pourquoi and works in every register: je reste parce que je suis fatigué. It can start a sentence in careful speech (parce qu'il pleut, je reste), though in everyday French it most often comes after the main clause. For ordinary explanations, it is usually the safest default.
Car and puisque: the refinements
Car is more formal or written and explains or justifies rather than answers why: il est tard, car la nuit tombe. Car is normally used to join an explanation to a preceding clause, rather than as a stand-alone direct answer to pourquoi. Puisque signals a reason the listener already knows or can see: puisque tu es là, aide-moi (since you are here anyway). Comme starts a sentence with a known cause: comme il pleuvait, nous sommes restés.
| Word | Register and position | Example |
|---|---|---|
| parce que | all registers, after the main clause | Elle rit parce qu'elle est contente. |
| car | formal or written, mid-sentence | Il part, car il est tard. |
| puisque | reason already known | Puisque tu insistes, d'accord. |
| comme | sentence starter, known cause | Comme il neigeait, l'école a fermé. |
Common learner errors
Do not open an answer to pourquoi with car: Pourquoi ris-tu ? Parce que je suis heureux, never car je suis heureux. Do not confuse parce que (because) with à cause de (because of, plus a noun): il pleut, alors je reste à cause de la pluie, but je reste parce qu'il pleut. After parce que and puisque you need a full clause with a verb.
A note on pronunciation: parce que is usually said quickly, closer to pars-ke, and in casual speech you will hear parce que reduced further. Puisque keeps its two clear syllables. In writing for school or work, prefer parce que for direct answers and reserve car for elegant explanations; mixing registers is the mistake teachers notice first. Finally, puisque can carry a hint of impatience, as in puisque je te le dis (since I am telling you), so use it with people you know rather than strangers.
Quick self-check
Choose: Pourquoi pars-tu ? (Parce que / Car) je suis fatigué.
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Parce que
Choose: (Puisque / À cause de) tu connais la réponse, dis-la.
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Puisque
Choose: Le match est annulé (parce qu' / à cause de la) pluie.
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à cause de la
Choose: (Comme / Car) il était malade, il n'est pas venu.
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Comme