Cause and concession: como, ya que, a pesar de que

B2

Grammar path · Lesson 74 of 86 · Stage B2 · Advanced sentences

These connectors let you explain why something happens and admit a fact that does not change the outcome. Como gives the cause and always opens the sentence: Como + cause, result. Ya que also gives a cause, often one the listener already knows, and can go before or after the main clause. A pesar de que means 'even though': the result happens despite the fact, and it takes the indicative for real facts. Do not confuse como with porque: porque usually follows the main clause, while causal como must come first.

Practise this lesson · 10 sentences

Form

Cause with comoComo + causa, consecuencia
Como no tenía dinero, no fui al concierto.Since I didn't have any money, I didn't go to the concert.
Cause with ya queConsecuencia + ya que + causa
No salimos, ya que estaba lloviendo mucho.We didn't go out, since it was raining a lot.
Concession with a real factA pesar de que + indicativo, resultado
A pesar de que estudió mucho, no aprobó el examen.Even though he studied a lot, he didn't pass the exam.
Concession with a possibilityResultado + a pesar de que + subjuntivo
Iremos a la playa a pesar de que llueva.We'll go to the beach even if it rains.

When to use it

Giving the cause first

Use como when you state the cause before the result. Causal como always comes at the start of the sentence.

Como era tarde, tomamos un taxi.Since it was late, we took a taxi.
Como no me contestabas, te dejé un mensaje.Since you weren't answering me, I left you a message.

Giving a reason both sides know

Ya que gives a reason that is obvious or already known to the listener. It can open the sentence or come in the middle.

Ya que estás aquí, ayúdame con esto.Since you're here, help me with this.
Pueden irse temprano, ya que terminaron todo el trabajo.You can leave early, since you finished all the work.

Admitting an obstacle

A pesar de que introduces a fact that should have stopped the result, yet the result happens anyway. For known facts, use the indicative.

A pesar de que hacía frío, salimos a caminar.Even though it was cold, we went out for a walk.
Ella sigue trabajando ahí a pesar de que le pagan poco.She's still working there even though they pay her little.

Signal words

comoya quepuesto quedado quea pesar de quepese a que

Don't confuse it with

Linking words: pero, sin embargo, por eso

Por eso goes before the result, while como and ya que go before the cause: 'Llovía, por eso no salí' and 'Como llovía, no salí' mean the same. Pero links two opposing ideas, whereas a pesar de que goes right before the obstacle and turns it into a dependent clause.

Frequently asked questions

Can causal como go in the middle of a sentence?

No. Causal como must open the sentence. To give the cause in the middle, use porque or ya que.

What is the difference between ya que and porque?

Porque gives new information that answers 'why'. Ya que usually presents a reason the listener already knows and sounds slightly more formal.

Does a pesar de que take the indicative or the subjunctive?

Use the indicative for real or certain facts: 'a pesar de que llovía'. Use the subjunctive for possible situations or facts both sides already accept: 'a pesar de que llueva'.

Are a pesar de que and aunque the same?

They mean almost the same and follow the same mood rules. Aunque is more common in speech, while a pesar de que puts more weight on the obstacle.

When do I use a pesar de without que?

Use a pesar de before a noun or an infinitive: 'a pesar del frío', 'a pesar de estar cansado'. Add que when a clause with a conjugated verb follows.

More in Sentences and connectors

Question words: qué, dónde, cuándo…A1Negation: no, nunca, nada, nadieA1Real conditions: si + presentB1Relative clauses: que, quien, dondeB1Reported speech: dice que…B1Linking words: pero, sin embargo, por esoB1Unreal conditions: si + imperfect subjunctiveB2Past unreal conditions: si hubiera…B2Reported speech in the past: dijo que…B2Relative clauses with prepositions: en el que, con quienB2Sequence of tensesC1Other conditional forms: a no ser que, de + infinitive, con tal de queC1Result and purpose: de modo que, a fin de queC1
← Grammar pathNext lesson · B2Passive voice with ser