Giving a Reason Formally

Level 5

Budući da means "since" or "given that", and it belongs to formal writing.

How It Works

These phrases open a reason clause in a formal register.

FormalEveryday
budući dajer, pošto
s obzirom na to dajer

The reason clause has its own verb in the normal tense. A comma separates it from the main clause.

  • Budući da nije bilo struje, večera je otkazana.
  • S obzirom na to da je kasno, sastanak se prekida.

Do not drop da. Budući alone is an adjective meaning "future" (budući predsjednik).

In a spoken sentence the main clause often comes first and jer follows: Ostajemo kod kuće jer pada kiša. The formal version sounds like a notice or a report, so use it in writing.

Examples (4)

  1. Budući da je saobraćaj gust, krenut ćemo ranije.

    Since the traffic is heavy, we will leave earlier.

    Budući da opens the reason.

  2. Budući da nije bilo struje, večera je otkazana.

    Since there was no power, the dinner was cancelled.

    Formal reason with a past verb.

  3. S obzirom na to da je kasno, sastanak se prekida.

    Given that it is late, the meeting is ending.

    The longer formal phrase.

  4. Budući da pada kiša, ostajemo kući.

    Since it is raining, we are staying in.

    The same pattern in the present.

Common Mistakes

  • Learners drop da.

    Budući pada kiša, ostajemo kući.
    Budući da pada kiša, ostajemo kući.

    The phrase is budući da, always with da.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

Giving a Reason FormallyLevel 5

Learn This First

Since.

Words in This Pattern

jerpošto