español · B1 · grammar · 4 minutes
Cause, result, and contrast
Make cause, result, concession, and contrast explicit between clauses.
Understand the choice
Connectors tell the listener how one clause should be interpreted against another: as cause, result, concession, or contrast. Choosing the relationship precisely makes longer Spanish clearer than simply joining everything with y.
Core rule: Choose connectors by relationship: porque gives cause, por eso gives result, aunque concedes, and sin embargo contrasts.
Notice it in context
Aunque estaba cansado, terminé el informe porque era urgente.
Although I was tired, I finished the report because it was urgent.
Choose connectors by relationship: porque gives cause, por eso gives result, aunque concedes, and sin embargo contrasts.
Perdimos el tren; por eso llegamos tarde.
We missed the train; therefore we arrived late.
Por eso introduces a result.
Es caro; sin embargo, funciona bien.
It is expensive; however, it works well.
Sin embargo contrasts two complete claims.
What to remember
- Porque stays inside a clause; por eso often begins a result and can follow a full stop or semicolon.
- Aunque con indicative acknowledges a fact; its mood choice becomes more nuanced at B2.
Common trap: Porque introduces a cause; por eso introduces its result. Reversing them changes the logic even when both sentences remain grammatical.