Du constat à l’explication
1 · Report the sequence
Use après or depuis to locate the change in time. A before-and-after count gives you a trend to describe.
| après la modification | after the change |
| depuis la modification | since the change |
Les demandes ont augmenté après la modification de la page.Enquiries increased after the page was changed.
2 · Propose an explanation
Use pourrait expliquer or une explication possible when the causal role is a hypothesis. Keep the possible cause and the observed result in separate clauses.
Une page plus claire pourrait expliquer cette hausse.A clearer page could explain this increase.
Cette modification constitue une explication possible, qui reste à vérifier.This change is a possible explanation that remains to be tested.
3 · Assert a causal contribution
A contribué à presents the factor as one cause among others. A entraîné and a provoqué also make causal claims. Use them when the evidence supports the stated role.
La simplification du formulaire a contribué à la hausse des demandes.Simplifying the form contributed to the increase in enquiries.
4 · Check the judgement carried by the connector
Grâce à presents the cause as beneficial; à cause de often presents it as a problem. Both attribute a cause, so they change more than the tone.
| grâce à cette mesure | thanks to this measure |
| à cause de cette erreur | because of this error |
Grâce à cette mesure, les délais ont diminué.Thanks to this measure, waiting times fell.