The Conjunctive Particles から & ので
Both the conjunctive particle から and the conjunctive particle ので are used to indicate reason (理由). The basic sentence structure which both particles share is as follows:
Clause One (Dependent Clause = The Condition) + ｛から・ので｝Clause Two (Indicate Clause = The Result/Effect of Said Condition)
As a simple example in which both particles are possible to demonstrate this point, consider the following:
i. きょうは寒い｛から・ので｝、窓を閉めた。
Since it’s cold today, I closed the window.
The Conjunctive Particle から
Of the two particles showcased in this lesson, the conjunctive particle から is more versatile syntactically and in the kinds of that it can create.
The most important usage of the conjunctive particle から is to connect clauses to mean “because”. It shows reason and may solicit a response, suggest something, or any means that appeals to the listener. If the sentence is polite, the clause it modifies should be too.
から doesn’t have to be used after a dependent clause to show reason. It may also be at the end of a sentence. When at the end of the sentence and followed by だ, you can make a strong assertion. Without a copula, though, you show reason with more emotional appeal. Regardless, if から is used with nouns or 形容動詞, it must be preceded by the copula!
から goes after the 終止形. So, you should use it after verbs, adjectives, or a copula phrase.
| だ | だから | ですから | 形容詞 | いいから | 形容動詞 | 静かだから | 動詞 | するから |
In Standard Japanese, you cannot say なから. However, it does exist in certain dialects. For the purposes of Tokyo speech, it is deemed incorrect.
Examples
For some of these examples, a question would be stated before the response in order to sound perfectly natural.
1. 時間があるから、休憩をしない？
Since we have time, how about taking a break?
2. 機械が壊れたからです。
It’s because the machine broke.
3. 明日、試験があるからです。
It’s because I have an exam tomorrow.
4. 簡単だからだ。
It’s because it’s easy.
5. あいつが馬鹿だからだな。 (Masculine)
It’s because he’s an idiot, you know.
The Conjunctive Particle ので
The particle ので, んで in casual speech, is used to show reason or cause. Unlike から, it must only be used in this way. So, you should not use it with an imperative of any sort. Also unlike から, ので is used to show reason of present circumstance where there is no control in the matter on your part. It is objective in nature, and so it’s also weaker. Appropriate translations include “since”, and “because”.
Unlike から, ので follows the 連体形 of adjectives, verbs, and copula phrases.
| だ | なので | です | ですので* | 形容詞 | よいので | 形容動詞 | 静かなので | 動詞 | するので |
Grammar Notes:
*1: ですので is technically incorrect Japanese, but it is has become frequently used to the point that is now correct Japanese.
*2: Although improper in Standard Japanese, だので is actually seen, but it’s dialectical.
This rule, though, is relatively new in Japanese, and it really has no bearing over ので. In fact, you can also find ～ますので. This, however, will be considered ungrammatical by more speakers than ですので. Why this is the case is not clear, but it probably has to deal with part of speech and the formal nature of ので. If someone doesn’t like ～ますので, the person is probably from West Japan.
Examples
6. 今日は暖かいので、桜も満開になるでしょう。
Since it is warm today, the cherry blossoms will likely be in full bloom.
7. 宿題をし終わったので、外へ遊びに行った。
Since I finished my homework, I went to play outside.
8. その料理は思ったよりおいしくなかったので、一口しか食べませんでした。
Since that dish wasn’t as a good as I thought it would be, I didn’t eat more than a bite.
9. 彼が美術館に行きたいというので、案内してあげた。
Because he said he wanted to go to an art museum, I took him around.
10. あまりに寒いので、ストーブをつけた。
Since it was so cold, I turned on the heater.
11. 日本語がうまくしゃべれるようになりたいので、一生懸命勉強します。
As I want to become good at Japanese, I’ll study with all my might.
12.「包みは航空便でいくらですか」「６００グラムですので、１５００円になります」
“How much will it cost (to send) for the package?” “Since it is 600 grams, it will be 1500 yen.”
When at the end of a sentence, ので is essentially a softer version of のだ.
13. すまない、もう先約があるんで。
Sorry, I’ve got a commitment.
14. 終電に乗りたいので。
I need to catch the last train, so…