Introducing a causal clause with "por eso/aquello de..." (causal subordinate clause)

Question 1

In Spanish we sometimes introduce a clause that is explaining the cause of an action with “por eso/aquello de…”.

Answer 1

This is quite colloquial and the equivalent in English could be: “seeing that…” , “as…” “because of…” , “for…”, “so that…”

Eso and aquello are interchangeable - there is no change in meaning. Let’s see some examples

After “de” there can be:

a noun: por aquello de la amistad…, por aquello de la fumigación
an infinitive: por aquello de no salir…

que + clause: por aquello de que hacen unos super descuentos…

You could easily omit “eso/aquello de” and just leave “Por…” and the meaning would be the same as a causal clause introduced by “por”. However, with eso/aquello de… it’s more colloquial:

Question 2

My sons didn’t go to school on Monday seeing as they were fumigating.

Answer 2

Mis hijos no fueron al colegio el lunes por eso de la fumigación.

Question 3

I never interfered in their arguments so that I wouldn’t end up upset with one of them.

Answer 3

Yo nunca interferí en sus discusiones por aquello de no salir a peleas con uno de ellos.

Question 4

For our friendship, let’s have a couple more drinks.

Answer 4

Por aquello de la amistad entre nosotros, tomemos un par de copas más.

Question 5

Because they do some great discounts I’m going to go to that supermarket.

Answer 5

Por aquello de que hacen unos super descuentos voy a ir a ese supermercado.

Question 6

Because I wanted to be more diplomatic I didn’t use that negative word.

Answer 6

Por [eso/aquello de] ser más diplomático no usé esa palabra tan negativa.

Question 7

So that he wouldn’t have to peel the prawns with his hands he decided to order fried calamari.

Answer 7

Por [eso/aquello de] no tener que pelar las gambas con las manos decidió pedir mejor calamares fritos.