паколькі
Since with Паколькі
Паколькі gives a known reason: Паколькі ўсе прыйшлі, пачнём. (Since everyone is here, let's begin.)
How It Works
Паколькі is a conjunction of reason, like бо and таму што. It is especially natural when the reason is already known or easy to accept, and you draw a conclusion from it: Паколькі ты ўжо тут, дапамажы мне. (Since you are already here, help me.)
Position.
- First, as the setup for a conclusion: Паколькі дакумент не падпісаны, ён не мае сілы. (Since the document is not signed, it has no legal force.)
- Second, after the main clause: Мы засталіся дома, паколькі пайшоў дождж. (We stayed home, since it started raining.)
Either way, a comma separates the clauses (commas in complex sentences).
Паколькі or бо? Бо is the everyday word, but a бо clause can only follow the main clause. To open a sentence with a reason, use паколькі or таму што. Паколькі is neutral to formal in tone, so it is common in writing, news and official texts, alongside з прычыны.
Other uses. Paired with пастолькі, as in пастолькі, паколькі, it means insofar as, to the extent that.
Do not confuse паколькі with пакуль (while, until): the two words look similar but mean different things.
Examples (5)
- Паколькі ўсе прыйшлі, пачнём.
Since everyone is here, let's begin.
Word by Word: Since all came, let's-begin.
- Паколькі ты ўжо тут, дапамажы мне.
Since you're already here, help me.
Word by Word: Since you already here, help me.
- Мы засталіся дома, паколькі пайшоў дождж.
We stayed home, since it started raining.
Word by Word: We stayed at-home, since went rain.
- Паколькі дакумент не падпісаны, ён не мае сілы.
Since the document is not signed, it has no legal force.
Word by Word: Since document not signed, it not has force.
- Паколькі ў мяне няма часу, я не пайду на канцэрт.
Since I don't have time, I won't go to the concert.
Word by Word: Since at me no time, I not will-go to concert.
Common Mistakes
Starting a sentence with бо.
Бо ўсе прыйшлі, пачнём.Паколькі ўсе прыйшлі, пачнём.A бо clause can only come after the main clause. To open the sentence with the reason, use паколькі or таму што.
Leaving out the comma between the clauses.
Паколькі ўсе прыйшлі пачнём.Паколькі ўсе прыйшлі, пачнём.The reason clause is always separated from the main clause by a comma.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Since needs because and commas.
Related Patterns
- з прычыны + GenitiveDue to with З Прычыны
З прычыны is another formal way to state a cause.
Level 5 - таму for a ResultSo and Therefore with Таму
Таму introduces the result, the other side of a reason.
Level 3 - пакульWhile and Until with Пакуль
Пакуль looks similar but means while or until.
Level 3 - у сувязі з + InstrumentalIn Connection with
У сувязі з is a formal phrase for in connection with, often used for causes.
Level 5
Words in This Pattern
Practice паколькі in Bubblegum
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