Welcome back! Today we are doing a little detective work with reasons. No magnifying glass needed—just a few smart phrases for asking and explaining why things happened.
Level B1: In this lesson, you’ll practice natural phrases for causes and reasons, like “What led to ___?” and “I decided to ___ because of ___.” You’ll learn how to check a reason, give your own reason, and explain why you are asking a question. These phrases help you sound clear, calm, and thoughtful in everyday conversations.
After this lesson you'll be able to:
Ask about the cause of a situation in a natural B1 way.
Explain decisions using “because of,” “because I was,” and “so I.”
Make questions sound softer by explaining why you are asking.
Introduce more than one reason before giving details.
Ready? Let's go!
When you tap play on phrases, we track your progress through this lesson.
1. Reading + Listening Practice
Hear core phrases, repeat aloud.
Is that why ___?
Check whether something is the reason for another thing.
Meaning: Check whether something is the reason for another thing.
When to use: Use “Is that why ___?” when you think you know the reason and want to check. Examples: “Is that why you left early?” “Is that why the meeting moved online?”
Tip: Use a full idea after “why”: “Is that why you were late?” not “Is that why late?”
Is that why you looked worried this morning?
Check if that was the reason someone looked worried.
Is that why Anna changed the plan?
Check if that was the reason Anna changed the plan.
I decided to ___ because of ___.
Give a reason based on a cause or situation.
Meaning: Give a reason based on a cause or situation.
When to use: Use “I decided to ___ because of ___.” when your reason is a thing, event, or situation. Examples: “I decided to stay home because of the rain.” “I decided to call later because of the time difference.”
Tip: After “because of,” use a noun phrase: “because of the rain,” not “because of it rained.”
I decided to take a taxi because of the heavy rain.
The heavy rain was the reason for the decision.
I decided to study online because of my busy schedule.
The busy schedule was the reason for the decision.
I didn't ___ because I was ___.
Explain a negative action using a personal condition or situation.
Meaning: Explain a negative action using a personal condition or situation.
When to use: Use “I didn’t ___ because I was ___.” to explain why you did not do something. Examples: “I didn’t answer because I was asleep.” “I didn’t join because I was busy.”
I didn't reply because I was in a meeting.
A meeting was the reason for not replying.
I didn't go out because I was tired.
Feeling tired was the reason for not going out.
The reason I ask is ___.
Explain the reason for asking a question.
Meaning: Explain the reason for asking a question.
When to use: Use “The reason I ask is ___.” when you want your question to feel clearer, kinder, or less sudden. Examples: “The reason I ask is I’m planning the schedule.” “The reason I ask is I may need your help.”
The reason I ask is I’m thinking about applying too.
You explain why you asked about something.
The reason I ask is we need to book the room today.
You explain the practical reason for your question.
What led to ___?
asking about the cause of a situation
Meaning: Ask about the cause of a situation.
When to use: Use “What led to ___?” when you want to ask why something happened, especially in a calm or thoughtful way. Examples: “What led to the delay?” “What led to your decision?”
Tip: After “led to,” use a noun phrase: “the delay,” “your decision,” or “the change.”
What led to the change in plans?
Ask what caused the plan to change.
What led to your new job offer?
Ask what caused or helped create the new job offer.
Was it due to ___?
asking if something was the cause
Meaning: Ask if something was the cause.
When to use: Use “Was it due to ___?” when you have a possible reason and want to check politely. Examples: “Was it due to the weather?” “Was it due to a mistake in the system?”
Was it due to traffic?
Ask if traffic caused the problem.
Was it due to the new policy?
Ask if the new policy was the cause.
I thought ___, so I ___.
giving a reason based on belief or understanding
Meaning: Give a reason based on your belief or understanding.
When to use: Use “I thought ___, so I ___.” when your action came from what you believed. Examples: “I thought the office was closed, so I didn’t go.” “I thought you were busy, so I sent a message.”
I thought the meeting was online, so I stayed home.
Your belief caused your action.
I thought David needed help, so I called him.
Your understanding caused you to call.
There are a few reasons.
introducing more than one reason
Meaning: Introduce more than one reason.
When to use: Use “There are a few reasons.” before you explain several causes. Examples: “There are a few reasons. First, the price is lower.” “There are a few reasons, but the main one is time.”
There are a few reasons. The first one is cost.
Start a list of reasons.
There are a few reasons, but the biggest one is my schedule.
Introduce several reasons and name the main one.
2. Conversational Listening Practice
Hear phrases in a real mini-conversation.
Anna and David talk about why David changed his work plan.
Why did David change his plan?
Anna
I heard you’re not going to the office tomorrow. What led to that decision?
Anna asks what caused David’s decision.
David
There are a few reasons. I decided to work from home because of the train strike.
David says there is more than one reason and gives one reason.
Anna
Was it due to the long delays this week?
Anna checks a possible cause.
David
Yes. I didn't drive because I was worried about traffic, too.
David explains why he did not drive.
Anna
Is that why you moved the meeting online?
Anna checks if that was the reason for another action.
David
Exactly. I thought everyone would be more comfortable, so I changed the meeting link.
David explains his belief and action.
3. Guided Practice
Quizzes and matching to lock in meaning.
Which phrase checks if one thing is the reason for another thing?
Which sentence correctly uses “because of”?
You want to ask about the cause of a delay. Which phrase fits best?
Which phrase helps explain why you are asking a question?
Anna: Why did you choose the later train? David: I decided to take it because of the cheaper ticket.
Anna: Why did you choose the later train? David: ___ the cheaper ticket.
Anna: You didn’t answer my call last night. David: I didn't answer because I was asleep.
Anna: You didn’t answer my call last night. David: ___ asleep.
David: Can I ask how much the course costs? The reason I ask is I’m thinking about joining.
David: Can I ask how much the course costs? ___ I’m thinking about joining.
Match the core phrases
Match the extra phrases
4. Speaking Practice
Say phrases yourself (mic/recording).
Recording stays on your device only. Check speech uses your browser's speech tools when available.
Say this phrase out loud:
Is that why ___?
Check whether something is the reason for another thing.
Say this phrase out loud:
I decided to ___ because of ___.
Give a reason based on a cause or situation.
Say this phrase out loud:
I didn't ___ because I was ___.
Explain a negative action using a personal condition or situation.
