aangesien
Since (Reason): Aangesien
Aangesien gives a reason, like English since or seeing that, and sends the verb to the end: Aangesien dit reën, bly ons binne. (Since it is raining, we are staying inside.)
How It Works
1. Aangesien gives a reason. It means since, as or seeing that:
- Aangesien dit reën, bly ons vandag binne. (Since it is raining, we are staying inside today.)
- Die vergadering is uitgestel, aangesien die voorsitter siek is. (The meeting has been postponed, since the chairperson is ill.)
2. The verb goes to the end. Like omdat, aangesien follows subordinate clause word order. A separable verb stays whole at the end: aangesien die winkel eers om nege-uur oopmaak.
3. Starting with aangesien. The aangesien clause often comes first. It then fills first place, so the main clause starts with its verb (see starting with a subordinate clause): Aangesien jy nie kan kom nie, sal ek alleen gaan.
4. Aangesien, omdat or want? All three give reasons.
- Omdat is the everyday choice and sends the verb to the end.
- Aangesien also sends the verb to the end. It sounds a little more formal and is common in writing.
- Want keeps main-clause order and cannot start the sentence (see want or omdat).
5. Not for time. English since can also be about time. Aangesien never is. For time, use sedert or sinds: Ek woon hier sedert 2020.
Examples (5)
- Aangesien dit reën, bly ons vandag binne.
Since it is raining, we are staying inside today.
Word by Word: Since it rains, stay we today inside.
- Aangesien jy nie kan kom nie, sal ek alleen gaan.
Since you can't come, I'll go alone.
Word by Word: Since you not can come not, shall I alone go.
The aangesien clause comes first, so the main clause starts with its verb sal.
- Ons het met die motor gery, aangesien daar geen treine was nie.
We went by car, since there were no trains.
Word by Word: We have with the car driven, since there no trains were not.
- Aangesien die winkel eers om nege-uur oopmaak, kan ons nog koffie drink.
Since the shop only opens at nine, we can still have coffee.
Word by Word: Since the shop only at nine-hour opens, can we still coffee drink.
The separable verb oopmaak stays in one piece at the end of the aangesien clause.
- Die vergadering is uitgestel, aangesien die voorsitter siek is.
The meeting has been postponed, since the chairperson is ill.
Word by Word: The meeting is postponed, since the chairperson sick is.
Common Mistakes
Keeping the verb in second place after aangesien.
Aangesien dit is koud, dra ek 'n trui.Aangesien dit koud is, dra ek 'n trui.Aangesien sends the verb of its own clause to the end: dit koud is.
Starting the main clause with the subject after a fronted aangesien clause.
Aangesien dit koud is, ek dra 'n trui.Aangesien dit koud is, dra ek 'n trui.The aangesien clause fills first place, so the main clause must start with its verb.
Using aangesien for since about time.
Ek woon hier aangesien 2020.Ek woon hier sedert 2020.Aangesien only gives reasons. For a starting point in time, use sedert or sinds.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Aangesien is a formal word for because or since.
Related Patterns
- want / omdatWant or Omdat?
Compares the reason words that keep main-clause order with those that send the verb to the end.
Level 3 - sedert/sindsSince
The words for since about time, which aangesien cannot replace.
Level 3 - Starting With a Subordinate Clause
Explains why the main clause starts with its verb after a fronted aangesien clause.
Level 3 - Verb at the End in Subordinate Clauses
The general rule that sends the verb to the end after aangesien.
Level 2
Words in This Pattern
Practice aangesien in Bubblegum
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