French - Reasons

Lesson 39 of 159

A friendly teacher explains reasons in French with speech bubbles showing cause-and-effect phrases.

Goal: Explain causes and link them to results

Free French lessons with guided practice, audio, and speaking support.

Welcome — ready to explain why things happen? This short lesson helps you say reasons naturally in French. Have fun connecting causes and results!

Level B1: In Lesson 39 you'll practice common spoken phrases for giving and checking reasons (for example «C'est pour ça que...», «J'ai pas pu... parce que...», «Il y a plusieurs raisons.»). This CEFR-aligned session focuses on clear, natural ways to explain causes, ask what led to something, and link reasons to actions.

After this lesson you'll be able to:

  • Use phrases to give reasons and link causes to results.
  • Ask about and check causes in conversation.
  • Practice speaking aloud B1-level reason phrases with natural forms.
Two friends talk about why plans changed — a French lesson about giving reasons.

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.

C'est pour ça que ___ ?

Is that why ___?

Meaning: Is that why ___?

When to use: Use this to check if a previous explanation is the reason for something.

C'est pour ça que tu es parti tôt ?
Is that why you left early?
C'est pour ça que vous avez changé d'avis ?
Is that why you changed your mind?

J'ai décidé de ___ à cause de ___.

I decided to ___ because of ___.

Meaning: I decided to ___ because of ___.

When to use: State a decision and the cause behind it; often uses «à cause de» for a neutral/negative cause.

Tip: Remember: use «grâce à» for positive causes instead of «à cause de».

J'ai décidé de partir à cause du bruit.
I decided to leave because of the noise.
J'ai décidé de changer de projet à cause du budget.
I decided to change the project because of the budget.

J'ai pas pu ___ parce que j'étais ___.

I didn't ___ because I was ___.

Meaning: I didn't ___ because I was ___.

When to use: Explain why you didn't do something due to a personal situation or condition.

Tip: Upgraded form: some learners overuse the contraction; you can also say «Je n'ai pas pu...» for formal contexts.

J'ai pas pu venir parce que j'étais malade.
I couldn't come because I was sick.
J'ai pas pu finir le rapport parce que j'étais débordé.
I couldn't finish the report because I was overwhelmed.

Une des raisons, c'est que ___.

One reason is that ___.

Meaning: One reason is that ___.

When to use: Introduce one reason among several when explaining a situation.

Une des raisons, c'est que le timing était mauvais.
One reason is that the timing was bad.
Une des raisons, c'est que le fournisseur a retardé la livraison.
One reason is that the supplier delayed delivery.

C'est pour ça que je ___.

That's why I ___.

Meaning: That's why I ___.

When to use: Link a previous explanation to a result or action you took.

C'est pour ça que je suis parti plus tôt.
That's why I left earlier.
C'est pour ça que je n'ai pas répondu au message.
That's why I didn't reply to the message.

Si je demande, c'est parce que ___.

The reason I ask is ___.

Meaning: The reason I ask is ___.

When to use: Explain why you are asking a specific question.

Si je demande, c'est parce que j'ai besoin d'informations.
The reason I ask is because I need information.
Si je demande, c'est parce que ça affecte mon planning.
The reason I ask is because it affects my schedule.

Qu'est-ce qui a mené à ___ ?

What led to ___?

Meaning: What led to ___?

When to use: Ask about the cause of a situation or event.

Qu'est-ce qui a mené à cette décision ?
What led to that decision?
Qu'est-ce qui a mené à la panne du système ?
What led to the system failure?

C'était dû à ___ ?

Was it due to ___?

Meaning: Was it due to ___?

When to use: Ask if a particular cause explains a result; can sound neutral or investigative.

C'était dû à un problème électrique ?
Was it due to an electrical problem?
C'était dû à la météo ?
Was it due to the weather?

Je pensais que ___, alors j'ai ___.

I thought ___, so I ___.

Meaning: I thought ___, so I ___.

When to use: Give a reason based on what you believed or assumed, explaining your action.

Je pensais que la réunion était annulée, alors j'ai quitté le bureau.
I thought the meeting was canceled, so I left the office.
Je pensais que c'était prêt, alors j'ai envoyé le fichier.
I thought it was ready, so I sent the file.

Le problème, c'était que ___.

The problem was that ___.

Meaning: The problem was that ___.

When to use: Explain the key cause of a problem when summarizing an issue.

Le problème, c'était que le fournisseur n'a pas respecté les délais.
The problem was that the supplier didn't meet the deadlines.
Le problème, c'était que l'information était incomplète.
The problem was that the information was incomplete.

Il y a plusieurs raisons.

There are a few reasons.

Meaning: There are a few reasons.

When to use: Use this to announce you'll give several reasons.

Il y a plusieurs raisons: le budget, le planning et la qualité.
There are a few reasons: budget, schedule, and quality.
Il y a plusieurs raisons pour ce choix.
There are a few reasons for this choice.

Une autre raison, c'est que ___.

Another reason is that ___.

Meaning: Another reason is that ___.

When to use: Add an additional reason during an explanation.

Une autre raison, c'est que l'équipe manquait de ressources.
Another reason is that the team lacked resources.
Une autre raison, c'est que la formation n'était pas complète.
Another reason is that the training wasn't complete.

2. Conversational Listening Practice

Hear phrases in a real mini-conversation.

Anna asks about a missed meeting and David explains several reasons.

Anna and David discuss what led to a canceled meeting, practicing natural French reason phrases.

Why did Anna miss the meeting?

Portrait of Anna in a French lesson dialogue

Anna

J'ai pas pu venir parce que j'étais coincée dans le train.

I couldn't come because I was stuck on the train.

Portrait of David in a French lesson dialogue

David

C'était dû à un problème sur la voie ?

Was it due to a track problem?

Portrait of Anna in a French lesson dialogue

Anna

Oui. Une des raisons, c'est que le service avait des retards, et une autre raison, c'est qu'il y avait beaucoup de passagers.

Yes. One reason is that the service was delayed, and another reason is there were many passengers.

Portrait of David in a French lesson dialogue

David

C'est pour ça que tu es arrivée en retard ?

Is that why you arrived late?

Portrait of Anna in a French lesson dialogue

Anna

Exact. Si je demande, c'est parce que je veux comprendre pour la prochaine fois.

Exactly. The reason I ask is because I want to understand for next time.

3. Guided Practice

Quizzes and matching to lock in meaning.

Which French sentence means 'There are a few reasons.'?

Which sentence asks 'What led to that decision?'

Which option best matches 'I couldn't finish because I was busy.'?

Which sentence is used to confirm a result: 'Is that why you did X?'

I couldn't come to the meeting because I was sick.

I couldn't come to the meeting ___ I was sick.

I asked about the deadline because it affects my schedule.

I asked about the deadline because ___.

I thought it was ready, so I sent the file.

I thought the file was ready, so ___.

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:

C'est pour ça que ___ ?

Is that why ___?

Say this phrase out loud:

J'ai décidé de ___ à cause de ___.

I decided to ___ because of ___.

Say this phrase out loud:

J'ai pas pu ___ parce que j'étais ___.

I didn't ___ because I was ___.

Say this phrase out loud:

Une des raisons, c'est que ___.

One reason is that ___.

Say this phrase out loud:

C'est pour ça que je ___.

That's why I ___.

Say this phrase out loud:

Si je demande, c'est parce que ___.

The reason I ask is ___.

Say this phrase out loud:

Qu'est-ce qui a mené à ___ ?

What led to ___?

Say this phrase out loud:

C'était dû à ___ ?

Was it due to ___?

Say this phrase out loud:

Je pensais que ___, alors j'ai ___.

I thought ___, so I ___.

Say this phrase out loud:

Le problème, c'était que ___.

The problem was that ___.

Say this phrase out loud:

Il y a plusieurs raisons.

There are a few reasons.

Say this phrase out loud:

Une autre raison, c'est que ___.

Another reason is that ___.