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    Dictionary
    1. Dictionary
    2. Grammar
    3. 〜こととて

    〜こととて

    〜こととて

    This phrase tells why something is happening. It is a very polite way to give a reason. You use it when you want people to understand your situation.

    N1KMT7FormalStandardCompound ParticleWritten OnlyOlder SpeakersClassicalFunctional Patterns With KotoGrammar

    Clause + こととてPrimary
    Noun + の + こととて

    This phrase tells why something is happening. It is a very polite way to give a reason. You use it when you want people to understand your situation.

    不ふ慣なれなこととて、皆みな様さまにはご迷めい惑わくをおかけいたしますが、何なに卒とぞご容よう赦しゃください。

    As I am inexperienced, I may cause you trouble, but I humbly ask for your forgiveness.

    HumbleNon PastAffirmativeClause InitialRequestWork & CareerBusiness & Finance
    当とう時じはまだ子こ供どもだったこととて、事ことの重じゅう大だいさが分わかっていなかった。

    As I was just a child at the time, I didn't understand the gravity of the situation.

    FormalPastNegativeClause InitialDeclarativeHistoryEmotions & Psychology
    連れん絡らくが遅おそくなり申もうし訳わけありません。何なに分ぶん、急きゅうな話はなしだったこととて、すぐに対たい応おうできませんでした。

    I apologize for the late contact. As it was a sudden matter, I was unable to respond immediately.

    PolitePastAffirmativeMid SentenceDeclarativeWork & Career
    なにぶん知ち識しきがなかったこととて、専せん門もん家かの意い見けんをそのまま信しんじてしまった。

    As I had no knowledge on the matter, I ended up believing the expert's opinion as it was.

    FormalPastNegativeClause InitialDeclarativeEducationEmotions & Psychology
    被ひ告こく人にんは当とう時じ、心しん神しん喪そう失しつの状じょう態たいであったこととて、その責せき任にんの能う力りょくを問とうことはできない。

    As the defendant was in a state of insanity at the time, their legal capacity cannot be questioned.

    FormalPastAffirmativeClause InitialAbilityPolitics & Law

    This phrase is like saying, "Because of this special situation." It asks others to understand your reason. It is very polite and old-fashioned. You will mostly see it in formal writing.

    This is different from 〜ことから. That one states a reason. It is neutral. This is also different from 〜ことだし. That one is casual. It gives one reason among many. 〜こととて is very formal. It often sounds like an excuse.

    Use this when you want to give a reason. This reason is often an excuse. It makes your words sound softer. You are asking for understanding. You might say "after all" too.

    Contrasts with(1)

    〜ようによっては

    This means the result can change. It depends on how you do something. Or how you see it.

    More formal alternatives(8)

    〜ことだし

    You use this to give a reason. It means "since this is true, and for other reasons too." It helps you suggest something.

    〜ことに(は)

    This phrase shows your feelings about something. It tells how you feel about a fact or event. You might feel surprised, happy, or sad.

    〜ないことには

    This means 'unless something happens, something else cannot happen'. It shows that the first thing must happen for the second thing to be possible.

    〜ことから

    This grammar shows the reason for something. It is like saying 'because' or 'since'. You use it when the reason is a clear fact.

    〜ばこそ

    Emphatically states that a particular reason is the sole or primary cause for a result, with a nuance of 'precisely because' or 'only because'. It is often used to justify an action that might seem contradictory or extreme without that specific reason.

    〜とあれば

    This means 'if it is true that' or 'if it is for the purpose of'. You use it when a special situation makes you do something.

    〜とあっては

    Emphatically presents a special or exceptional situation as the reason for an inevitable conclusion, judgment, or action. It translates to 'given that...', 'if it's the case that...', or 'in a situation like...'.

    〜とあって

    This means "because of a special reason." It shows that something happens naturally due to a specific event or situation.

    辞書形

    This is the basic form of a verb. It is what you find in a dictionary. You use it to make other verb forms.

    た形

    This shows an action finished in the past. It also shows something that was true before now.

    ない形

    This is how you make a verb negative. It means "do not" or "will not." It is the casual way to say 〜ません.

    〜こと

    This word makes a verb or sentence into a noun. It talks about facts, events, or actions. It sounds more formal than '~の'.

    〜ので

    Indicates a reason or cause. It is generally perceived as softer and more polite than 'から', presenting the reason as an objective fact or situation rather than a subjective judgment. It is often used when making excuses, explanations, or gentle requests.

    〜から

    This word tells you the reason for something. It is like saying 'because' or 'so' in English. It connects an action to its cause.

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    Related concepts for this entry

    more_formal_than

    • 〜ことだし
    • 〜ことに(は)
    • 〜ないことには
    • 〜ことから
    • 〜ばこそ
    • 〜とあれば
    • 〜とあっては
    • 〜とあって

    prerequisite

    • 辞書形
    • た形
    • ない形
    • 〜こと
    • 〜ので
    • 〜から

    contrasts_with

    • 〜ようによっては

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