Learn how to express a cause with de tan/tanto... que/como in Spanish
In Spanish we can express a cause by using the following structure:
De tan/tanto + que/como+ indicative
There are different ways to use this structure:
De tanto/a/os/as + noun + que/como + indicative
No pudimos entrar en la fiesta de tanta gente que había.We couldn't get into the party because there were so many people.
Le dio un dolor de barriga de tantos chocolates como comió.He got a stomach ache because of all those chocolates he ate.
The clause introduced by "De tanto/a/os/as" expresses the reason the main clause happens.
De tan+ adjective/adverb + que/como + indicative
Lo van a echar del grupo de tan soso como es.He is going to get kicked out of the group because he is very dull.
The clause introduced by "De tan" expresses the reason the main clause happens.
- The adverb poco is often used with this structure to emphasize the small quantity of something, the low intensity or the minimal extent of an action. With De tanto... the opposite is expressed, that is, it emphasizes a large quantity, high intensity, or great extent of something, highlighting it as the cause of a resulting condition or effect. Be careful not to use "De tan mucho..." - it is not correct.
"De tanto/tan poco que/como + indicative
Lo van a echar del trabajo de tanto como se queja.He's going to get fired because he complains so much.
Note that que and como are interchangeable in all the above examples.
The clause can be placed at the beginning of the sentence or at the end.
See also:
- Using Spanish conjunction al + infinitive/perfect infinitive = when doing/ because of doing [something]
- Ya que/ Puesto que/ Porque/No porque followed by indicative/subjunctive (subordinate causal clauses)
- Using por for due to / because of / for in Spanish (subordinate causal clauses)
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