Coffee Break French 'Grâce à' vs. 'à cause de' - What's the difference? | A Coffee Break with Hélène
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Aug 18, 2025 Dive into the nuances of French with a focus on the phrases 'grâce à' and 'à cause de.' Discover how these expressions translate to 'because of' but carry different implications. Gain clarity on positive versus negative causation and learn to avoid common mistakes in your conversations. Engaging examples and exercises help solidify your understanding, making your French communication sharper and more precise.
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Tone Distinguishes Two 'Because Of' Phrases
- Grâce à and à cause de both indicate a cause or reason in French.
- The key difference lies in their tone: one is positive, the other negative.
Use Grâce À For Positive Outcomes
- Use grâce à for positive outcomes and beneficial causes.
- It functions like 'thanks to' in English when something good happens.
Passing An Exam Thanks To Help
- Hélène gives a concrete example: she passed an exam thanks to someone's help.
- This illustrates grâce à as an expression of gratitude for a positive result.