Question 1

Why do we use c'est pourquoi instead of just pourquoi?

Accepted Answer

Pourquoi by itself just asks the question "why?". To say "that is why" or "therefore" to connect two ideas, you must use the full phrase c'est pourquoi. It links the cause (le fournisseur a été en retard) to the consequence (le stock est bas).

Question 2

Why is "was late" translated with the passé composé (a été) instead of the imparfait (était)?

Accepted Answer

While the imparfait is often used for past states, here the speaker is treating the lateness as a specific, completed event. The supplier was late for this specific delivery (a finished action), and as a direct result, the stock is low right now.

Question 3

Could I say a été tard instead of a été en retard?

Accepted Answer

No, because tard is only used for the time of day (like saying "it is late at night"). When a person, a vehicle, or a company (like le fournisseur) misses a deadline or schedule, you must use the phrase être en retard (to be delayed).

Question 4

Does fournisseur have anything to do with the English word "furniture"?

Accepted Answer

It looks like it, but it is a false friend! Le fournisseur comes from the verb fournir (to provide or supply), so it means "the supplier" or "the provider". The French word for furniture is les meubles.

Le fournisseur a été en retard, c'est pourquoi le stock est bas.

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