Spanish grammar
Como (cause) at the start vs porque; es que for excuses
Put the cause first with como, and make (or spot) an excuse with es que.
From the scene Como no contesta… (Since he isn't answering…)
In short
Use como when the reason comes first, porque when it comes after. Start an excuse with es que.
Your turn
Which one goes with since he's the owner?
Options: como no contesta, le dejamos una nota · no firmo porque no leo sin gafas · como es el dueño
Show answer
since he's the owner → como es el dueño
How it works
When the reason comes first, use como: como no contesta, le dejamos una nota.
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
(blank) es tan importante, se la leo yo.
Options: Para · Hasta · Como
Show answer
Como es tan importante, se la leo yo.
Since it's so important, I'll read it to you.
Good to know
Porque normally comes after the main idea: no firmo porque no leo sin gafas. Es que ("the thing is…") opens a justification or an excuse.
since he isn't answering, we'll leave a note como no contesta, le dejamos una nota
Javi
Pues como no contesta, le dejamos una nota en el buzón.
Well, since he isn't answering, we'll leave him a note in the letterbox.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Pues (blank) en el buzón.
Options: como es el dueño · no firmo porque no leo sin gafas · como no contesta, le dejamos una nota
Show answer
Javi
Pues como no contesta, le dejamos una nota en el buzón.
Well, since he isn't answering, we'll leave him a note in the letterbox.
since he's the owner como es el dueño
Your turn
What goes with como es el dueño?
Options: since he isn't answering, we'll leave a note · I'm not signing because I can't read without glasses · since he's the owner
Show answer
como es el dueño → since he's the owner
I'm not signing because I can't read without glasses no firmo porque no leo sin gafas
the thing is, my phone was on silent es que tenía el móvil en silencio
Ramón
¡Buenas! Es que tenía el móvil en silencio.
Hello! The thing is, my phone was on silent.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
¡Buenas! (blank).
Options: Es que tenía el móvil en silencio · Como no contesta, le dejamos una nota · Como es el dueño
Show answer
Ramón
¡Buenas! Es que tenía el móvil en silencio.
Hello! The thing is, my phone was on silent.
Common mistake
Not como or para here. The reason comes second.
No firmo porque no leo nada sin gafas.
I'm not signing because I can't read a thing without glasses.
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| since he isn't answering, we'll leave a note | como no contesta, le dejamos una nota |
|---|---|
| since he's the owner | como es el dueño |
| I'm not signing because I can't read without glasses | no firmo porque no leo sin gafas |
| the thing is, my phone was on silent | es que tenía el móvil en silencio |
More lines from the story
- RamónNo firmo porque no leo nada sin gafas.I'm not signing because I can't read a thing without glasses.
- NuriaComo es tan importante, se la leo yo.Since it's so important, I'll read it to you.
- Nuria¿Tres días en silencio? Menuda excusa.On silent for three days? Some excuse.
- RamónEs que... tampoco oigo muy bien. ¿Qué decías?The thing is... I don't hear very well either. What were you saying?