Compounding Reasons with "d'autant plus que"
When you want to add a strong, reinforcing reason to a statement—like explaining exactly why a vintage stamp is so highly sought after—French uses the phrase d'autant plus que (all the more since / especially because).
| The collector appreciates the rarity of the stamp, all the more since it is intact. | Le collectionneur apprécie la rareté du timbre, d'autant plus qu'il est intact. |
You place d'autant plus que right before the compounding reason. Notice how it builds on the first part of the sentence, increasing the intensity of the situation.
| This document is highly coveted during the auction, all the more since it is old. | Ce document est très convoité pendant l'enchère, d'autant plus qu'il est vieux. |
| He examines the detail with the magnifying glass, all the more since he has a doubt. | Il examine le détail avec la loupe, d'autant plus qu'il a un doute. |
The Negative Counterpart: "d'autant moins que"
To express "all the less since" or "even less so because," use d'autant moins que. This phrase is typically used when the main clause is negative or doubtful, and the reason that follows makes the situation even less likely to happen or be true.
| The collector will not participate in the auction, all the less since he has no money. | Le collectionneur ne participera pas à l'enchère, d'autant moins qu'il n'a pas d'argent. |
Just like its positive counterpart, d'autant moins que bridges the initial statement with the underlying cause, emphasizing the lack of action or certainty.
| The rarity is not certain, all the less since nobody has examined everything. | La rareté n'est pas certaine, d'autant moins que personne n'a tout examiné. |
| They will not go to the auction, all the less since the watermark is false. | Ils n'iront pas à l'enchère, d'autant moins que le filigrane est faux. |