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14.2. Pourquoi tu penses ça ?

Expanding on an Opinion by Explaining Why

14.2.1. The Main Idea

To expand on an opinion, give a reason with parce que, car, or puisque.

Je pense que c’est important parce que c’est utile.	I think it is important because it is useful.
À mon avis, c’est essentiel, car tout le monde en a besoin.	In my opinion, it is essential because everyone needs it.
Je suis d’accord puisque c’est nécessaire.	I agree since it is necessary.

14.2.2. Asking Someone to Explain Their Opinion

Pourquoi tu penses ça ?	Why do you think that?
Pourquoi est-ce que tu penses ça ?	Why do you think that?
Pourquoi tu dis ça ?	Why do you say that?
Tu peux expliquer pourquoi ?	Can you explain why?
Qu’est-ce qui te fait penser ça ?	What makes you think that?

14.2.3. Giving a Simple Reason with Parce Que

Je pense que c’est important parce que c’est utile.	I think it is important because it is useful.
Je crois que c’est essentiel parce que c’est nécessaire.	I think it is essential because it is necessary.
À mon avis, c’est pratique parce que ça aide beaucoup.	In my opinion, it is practical because it helps a lot.
Selon moi, ce n’est pas important parce que ce n’est pas utile.	In my view, it is not important because it is not useful.

14.2.4. Giving a Reason with Car

Car also means because, but it sounds a little more formal or written.

C’est important, car c’est utile.	It is important because it is useful.
C’est essentiel, car tout le monde en a besoin.	It is essential because everyone needs it.
Je ne suis pas d’accord, car ce n’est pas nécessaire.	I disagree because it is not necessary.

14.2.5. Giving a Reason with Puisque

Puisque means since or because, often when the reason is already known or obvious.

Puisque c’est important, il faut le faire.	Since it is important, we have to do it.
Puisque tu es fatigué, tu devrais te reposer.	Since you are tired, you should rest. masculine
Puisque c’est nécessaire, je suis d’accord.	Since it is necessary, I agree.

14.2.6. Adding More Detail

Use expressions like en plus, aussi, and par exemple to expand your opinion.

En plus, c’est facile.	Also, it is easy.
C’est aussi très pratique.	It is also very practical.
Par exemple, ça aide les étudiants.	For example, it helps students.
En général, c’est une bonne idée.	In general, it is a good idea.

14.2.7. Agreeing and Disagreeing with Reasons

Je suis d’accord parce que c’est important.	I agree because it is important.
Je ne suis pas d’accord parce que ce n’est pas nécessaire.	I disagree because it is not necessary.
Je comprends, mais je ne suis pas d’accord.	I understand, but I disagree.
Tu as raison, parce que c’est utile.	You are right because it is useful.
Je ne pense pas, car c’est trop difficile.	I do not think so because it is too difficult.

14.2.8. Useful Opinion Connectors

parce que	because
car	because, more formal
puisque	since / because
mais	but
aussi	also
en plus	in addition / also
par exemple	for example
en général	in general
pourtant	however / and yet

14.2.9. Core Patterns

Je pense que ___ parce que ___ .	I think that ___ because ___.
À mon avis, ___ car ___ .	In my opinion, ___ because ___.
Puisque ___, il faut ___ .	Since ___, we have to ___.
Je suis d’accord parce que ___ .	I agree because ___.
Je ne suis pas d’accord parce que ___ .	I disagree because ___.
Par exemple, ___ .	For example, ___.
En plus, ___ .	Also, ___.

14.2.10. Practice

Why do you think that?
Can you explain why?
I think it is important because it is useful.
I agree because it is necessary.
I disagree because it is too expensive.
Since it is important, we have to do it.
Also, it is practical.
For example, it helps students.

14.2.11. Answers

Why do you think that?	Pourquoi tu penses ça ?
Can you explain why?	Tu peux expliquer pourquoi ?
I think it is important because it is useful.	Je pense que c’est important parce que c’est utile.
I agree because it is necessary.	Je suis d’accord parce que c’est nécessaire.
I disagree because it is too expensive.	Je ne suis pas d’accord parce que c’est trop cher.
Since it is important, we have to do it.	Puisque c’est important, il faut le faire.
Also, it is practical.	En plus, c’est pratique.
For example, it helps students.	Par exemple, ça aide les étudiants.

14.2.12. Short Dialogue

A : À ton avis, c’est important ?	A: In your opinion, is it important?
B : Oui, je pense que c’est important.	B: Yes, I think it is important.
A : Pourquoi tu penses ça ?	A: Why do you think that?
B : Parce que c’est utile. En plus, ça aide beaucoup d’étudiants.	B: Because it is useful. Also, it helps many students.
A : Je suis d’accord.	A: I agree.

14.2.13. Checkpoint

By the end of this lesson, you should be able to ask someone to explain an opinion with Pourquoi tu penses ça ?, give reasons with parce que, car, and puisque, and expand an opinion with expressions such as en plus, aussi, and par exemple.

14.2.14. Try It Out

Try saying this in French:

Why do you think that?

Because it is useful.

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Possible answer:

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