Linkers and connectors are words and phrases that help us to establish relationships between words, phrases, or clauses. In this article, we’ll look at some common linkers and connectors that state the causes or reasons of something.

Linkers to Introduce Causes or Reasons

Porque (because)

Porque (because) states the causes or reasons for something. It is used to answer the question ¿por qué? (Why?).

¿Por qué Ana no va a la fiesta?

Ana no va a la fiesta porque no tiene coche.

Why is not Ana going to the party?

Ana is not going to the party because she doesn’t have a car.

¿Por qué quieres visitar a tu madre?

Quiero visitar a mi madre porque está enferma.

Why do you want to visit your mom?

I want to visit my mom because she’s sick.

¿Por qué no viajas más a menudo?

No viajo más a menudo porque no tengo dinero.

Why don’t you travel more often?

I do not travel more often because I have no money.

¿Por qué tienes esta videocámara?

Tengo esta videocámara porque me la regaló Marina el año pasado.

Why do you have this video camera?

I have a video camera because Marina gave it to me last year.

Ya que (since, considering that)

There are many words that we use to connect causes or reasons in Spanish. For example, ya que (since) introduces a sentence that explains why something happens. In Spanish, it can be used before or after the main clause and it always requires a comma.

Has sacado una mala nota, ya que no has estudiado.

Since you have not studied, you got a bad grade.

Vamos a ir a comprar los regalos, ya que tienes tiempo libre.

Since you have some free time, we’re going to buy the presents.

Ya que vamos a ir a México, aprovecharemos para cruzar a Guatemala.

Since we’re going to Mexico, we’ll take the opportunity to cross into Guatemala.

Ya que tenemos toda la semana libre, nos vamos a Francia.

Since we have the whole week off, we are going to France.

Puesto que (since, given that)

Puesto que is a synonym for ya que. They can be used interchangeably to express the causes or reasons for something.

Me llevaré mi paraguas, puesto que va a llover.

Since it’s going to rain, I’ll take my umbrella.

Me voy al cine, puesto que no tengo ganas de estudiar.

Since I don’t feel like studying, I’ll go to the movies.

Puesto que he ahorrado un poco, vamos a ir a cenar.

Since I have saved a little, let’s go to dinner.

Puesto que hoy nos han pagado, vamos a comprar la lámpara.

Given that today we have been paid, we will buy the lamp.

Como (since)

Como introduces the causes or reasons for something. It is always used at the beginning of the sentence.

Como hace mucho viento, me haré una coleta.

Since it is very windy, I’ll wear my hair in a ponytail.

Como no tengo dinero, esta vez no apuesto nada.

Since I have no money, this time I do not gamble anything.

Como hoy estoy muy cansado, me voy a dormir temprano.

Since today I am very tired, I’ll go to sleep early.

Como no conocíamos a nadie, no supimos a quién pedirle ayuda.

Since we knew no one, we did not know who to ask for help.

Exercises

In this article, we have only seen four different Spanish linkers that introduce causes or reasons. Here are some exercises to practice them.

Exercise 1

Exercise 2

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Linkers and Connectors