Spanish · B1 · Family moment
Little Causes Count in Spanish
This guide focuses on result clauses (oraciones consecutivas) in Spanish. These are used to describe the factual outcome of a previous action or event, helping you explain cause-and-effect relationships to your child.
What you'll learn
- Express the consequences of daily events using result connectors.
- Distinguish between a result (indicative mood) and a purpose (subjunctive mood).
- Use common connectors like 'así que', 'de modo que', and 'por lo que' naturally.
Spanish phrases for little causes count
Tu botella goteó, así que se mojaron tus deberes.
Your bottle leaked, so your homework got wet.
'Así que' is the most common way to say 'so' in a result clause.
Salimos temprano de casa, de modo que llegamos a la puerta del colegio antes del timbre.
We left home early, so we reached the school gate before the bell.
'De modo que' indicates a result or consequence of the early departure.
Practicaste las palabras difíciles, así que pudiste leer la página entera.
You practised the difficult words, so you could read the whole page.
The verb 'pudiste' (preterite) shows the result was successfully achieved.
La tapa de la fiambrera estaba suelta, de manera que los trozos de manzana se cayeron en tu mochila.
The lunchbox lid was loose, so the apple slices fell into your bag.
'De manera que' is slightly more formal than 'así que' but used similarly.
Llovió toda la tarde, por lo que se canceló el entrenamiento de fútbol.
It rained all afternoon, so football practice was cancelled.
'Por lo que' is a common connector to link a situation to its consequence.
Ahorraste tu paga durante varias semanas, así que tuviste suficiente para el juego.
You saved your pocket money for several weeks, so you had enough for the game.
'La paga' is a common term for a child's allowance or pocket money.
Tu diente estaba muy flojo, así que se te cayó mientras comías.
Your tooth was very loose, so it fell out while you were eating.
'Se te cayó' uses the accidental 'se' to show the tooth fell out unintentionally.
Explicaste las reglas claramente, de modo que todos entendieron el juego.
You explained the rules clearly, so everyone understood the game.
Because the result (everyone understood) is a fact, we use the Indicative mood.
Hear these phrases and practise them
Tildi plays every phrase out loud, tests you in five-minute lessons and builds them into bedtime stories from your own picture books.
Try it free for 7 daysKey words
Goteó
Leaked/Dripped
From the verb 'gotear', related to 'gota' (drop).
Fiambrera
Lunchbox
Commonly used in Spain; 'lonchera' is more common in Latin America.
Paga
Pocket money / Allowance
Often refers to a small weekly amount given to children.
Flojo
Loose
When describing a tooth, it means it is ready to come out.
Result vs. Purpose Clauses
In Spanish, if you are describing a factual result that actually happened, you use the Indicative mood. If you are describing an intended purpose (which may or may not happen), you use the Subjunctive.
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Result (Fact) | Conector + Indicative | Entrenó mucho, así que ganó. (He trained a lot, so he won.) |
| Purpose (Intent) | Para que + Subjunctive | Entrenó mucho para que ganara. (He trained a lot so that he might win.) |
Common Result Connectors
These connectors help link a cause to a consequence. They are roughly equivalent to the English 'so' or 'consequently'.
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Informal/Neutral | así que | Tengo hambre, así que voy a comer. |
| Formal/Descriptive | de modo que / de manera que | Había tráfico, de modo que llegué tarde. |
| Relative Result | por lo que | Estaba cansado, por lo que se durmió pronto. |
More examples
No te pusiste el abrigo, por lo que ahora tienes frío.
You didn't put on your coat, so now you are cold.
A classic parent-child consequence phrase.
Había mucho ruido, de modo que no oímos el teléfono.
It was very noisy, so we didn't hear the phone.
Uses 'había' (imperfect) to set the scene and 'oímos' (preterite) for the result.
Ordenaste tu cuarto, así que ahora podemos jugar.
You tidied your room, so now we can play.
Positive reinforcement using a result clause.