The pattern

"That's why" plus a sentence connects a reason to its result. First you say the reason, then "That's why" introduces what happened because of it. "The trains were late. That's why I missed the meeting." It is how people explain themselves in speech, instead of the long written "therefore".

It also confirms an explanation: "Oh, that's why she left early." And "That's why I love you" or "That's why I asked" sums up your reason at the end of a story. The reverse, "That's because", gives the reason after the result.

Say it out loud

Tap a sentence to hear it. Say it after the voice.

  5. A sudden understanding. The missing piece clicks.

  9. "That's because" gives the reason after the result.

Check yourself

1In "I didn't sleep. That's why I'm tired," what comes before "That's why"?
2What does "Oh, that's why she left" express?
3Which gives the reason AFTER the result?

Practice · 3 min

Connect a reason to a result. Prompt on the left, one natural sentence on the right.

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Say it today

Use it once in a real conversation before tomorrow. Out loud counts, even to yourself.