visto que/en vista de que
Given That/Seeing That
Present a reason as the basis for a decision or conclusion.
How It Works
Visto que and en vista de que introduce a reason used as the basis for a conclusion or decision. Both are common in formal speech and writing.
A Presented Premise
Visto que el informe está completo, podemos enviarlo al director means “Given that the report is complete, we can send it to the director.” The speaker presents the report’s completion as the basis for sending it. The listener need not have known this beforehand, and the connector itself does not prove the claim.
Structure and Mood
Use visto que / en vista de que + clause. In the ordinary asserted causal use shown here, that clause takes the indicative: En vista de que el plazo termina mañana, debemos darnos prisa. Do not select subjunctive merely because the deadline is tomorrow. Mood depends on the construction and how information is presented, not a universal equation of indicative with truth and subjunctive with uncertainty.
En vista de can also introduce a noun phrase: En vista del resultado, cambiaremos el plan (“In view of the result, we will change the plan”). Add que when introducing the finite clause. A cause can appear before or after the main clause, as the examples below show.
Examples (4)
- Visto que no hay más preguntas, damos por terminada la reunión.
Seeing that there are no more questions, we will now end the meeting.
Word by Word: Seen that not there are more questions, we give for finished the meeting.
- En vista de que el mal tiempo continúa, se ha decidido cancelar el evento al aire libre.
In view of the fact that the bad weather is continuing, it has been decided to cancel the outdoor event.
Word by Word: In view of that the bad weather continues, it has been decided to cancel the event in the open air.
- El proyecto fue rechazado, en vista de que no cumplía con los requisitos mínimos.
The project was rejected, given that it did not meet the minimum requirements.
Word by Word: The project was rejected, in view of that not it met with the minimum requirements.
- Visto que todos los pasajeros han abordado, el avión puede despegar.
Given that all the passengers have boarded, the plane can take off.
Word by Word: Seen that all the passengers have boarded, the plane can take off.
Common Mistakes
Using subjunctive for the ordinary asserted causal premise in this sentence.
En vista de que el plazo termine mañana, debemos darnos prisa.En vista de que el plazo termina mañana, debemos darnos prisa.The sentence presents the deadline as the accepted reason to hurry, so use indicative termina. Future time does not itself call for termine. This is a rule for this causal construction, not a claim that subjunctive always expresses uncertainty.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To learn 'visto que' and 'en vista de que', you need to understand how causal connectors function to link ideas. Since 'visto' is the past participle of 'ver', familiarity with irregular participles is helpful. Additionally, knowing how 'que' introduces a clause is necessary to complete the structure.
- ya que/dado que/puesto queCausal Connectors
Understanding basic causal connectors is essential before moving to formal variations like 'visto que'.
Level 5 - hecho/dicho/escrito/visto/puesto/abierto/muerto/roto/vuelto/cubiertoIrregular Past Participles
The expression 'visto que' is derived from the past participle of the verb 'ver' (visto).
Level 3
Related Patterns
- por lo tanto/por consiguiente/en consecuenciaConsequence Connectors
'Visto que' introduces the cause. These connectors introduce the consequence or result, often appearing in the main clause that follows the 'visto que' clause. They complete the cause-and-effect relationship.
Level 5 - a pesar de que/pese a queDespite (Concessive)
These are concessive connectors, which introduce an obstacle or counter-argument ('despite'). This contrasts with 'visto que', which introduces a direct reason ('because of'). Comparing them helps clarify their distinct logical functions.
Level 5 - de modo que/de manera que + Indicative/SubjunctiveResult vs. Purpose
De modo que and de manera que commonly distinguish asserted results with indicative from intended purposes with subjunctive. Visto que ordinarily introduces an asserted causal premise with indicative; mood follows the construction and intended meaning.
Level 5
Words in This Pattern
Practice visto que/en vista de que in Bubblegum
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