weens/as gevolg van
Because of
Weens and as gevolg van mean because of: Die skool is gesluit weens die storm. (The school is closed because of the storm.)
How It Works
1. Before a noun. Both give the cause of something:
- Die skool is vandag gesluit weens die storm. (The school is closed today because of the storm.)
- As gevolg van die reën het die wedstryd laat begin. (Because of the rain, the match started late.)
Weens is short and a little formal, so it is common in news reports and notices. As gevolg van is common in both speech and writing. Vanweë is a formal word with the same meaning.
2. Noun or clause? Use weens or as gevolg van before a noun. Before a whole clause with its own verb, use omdat or want:
- Die skool is gesluit weens die storm.
- Die skool is gesluit omdat daar 'n storm is.
3. At the start of the sentence. The phrase fills first place, so the verb comes next: Weens die storm is die skool gesluit.
4. As a result. As gevolg daarvan (not as gevolg van dit) refers back to something already said, as with daarmee and daaroor: Hy het te min geslaap. As gevolg daarvan was hy die hele dag moeg. The formal linking word gevolglik (consequently) works the same way.
Examples (5)
- Die skool is vandag gesluit weens die storm.
The school is closed today because of the storm.
Word by Word: The school is today closed because-of the storm.
- As gevolg van die reën het die wedstryd laat begin.
Because of the rain, the match started late.
Word by Word: As result of the rain has the match late begun.
- Weens 'n tekort aan personeel is die kantoor Vrydag toe.
Due to a staff shortage, the office is closed on Friday.
Word by Word: Because-of a shortage of staff is the office Friday closed.
- Baie mense het hul werk verloor as gevolg van die droogte.
Many people lost their jobs because of the drought.
Word by Word: Many people have their work lost as result of the drought.
- Hy het te min geslaap. As gevolg daarvan was hy die hele dag moeg.
He slept too little. As a result, he was tired all day.
Word by Word: He has too little slept. As result there-of was he the whole day tired.
As gevolg daarvan refers back to the first sentence and takes first place, so the verb was comes next.
Common Mistakes
Using omdat before a noun.
Die skool is gesluit omdat die storm.Die skool is gesluit weens die storm.Omdat needs a whole clause with a verb. Before a noun alone, use weens or as gevolg van.
Using van dit instead of daarvan.
As gevolg van dit was hy moeg.As gevolg daarvan was hy moeg.When a preposition refers to a thing, Afrikaans joins daar to it: daarvan.
Putting the subject before the verb after a fronted phrase.
Weens die storm die skool is gesluit.Weens die storm is die skool gesluit.The fronted phrase takes first place, so the verb comes second, before the subject.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Because of is the preposition partner of omdat.
Related Patterns
- wantBecause (Want)
Another word for because, which is followed by a main clause.
Level 1 - ten spyte van/ondanksDespite
Despite, the preposition for an obstacle rather than a cause.
Level 4 - daarmee/hiervoor/daaroorDaarmee, Hiervoor, Daaroor
Explains why as a result of that is as gevolg daarvan.
Level 3 - derhalwe/gevolglikFormal Therefore: Derhalwe and Gevolglik
Formal linking words that express a result, like as gevolg daarvan.
Level 5 - Formal Prepositions: met betrekking tot
Other multi-word prepositions of formal writing.
Level 5
Words in This Pattern
Practice weens/as gevolg van in Bubblegum
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