Expressing Reasons with Bima

This grammar point functions as a subordinating conjunction. That sounds fancy, but it just means it introduces a reason. In Arabic, بِما أَنَّ sets the stage. It tells the listener, "Hey, here is a fact you should know." Then, it follows up with the consequence of that fact. The logic flow is very linear. You state the reason first, then you state the result. It is like a sequence of dominoes. The first domino is the reason (بِما أَنَّ), and the second is what happens because of it. Unlike the word لِأَنَّ (because), which usually comes in the middle of a sentence, بِما أَنَّ loves to be at the very beginning. It creates a "Since X, then Y" structure. This makes your speech sound organized and thoughtful. It is very common in Modern Standard Arabic (MSA). You will hear it on the news, read it in emails, and use it in formal discussions. Even though it feels formal, it is very accessible for beginners. You just need to learn the formula. Think of it like a grammar traffic light. It signals to the listener that a logical explanation is coming their way.

1. 1Creating a sentence with بِما أَنَّ follows a very specific 4-step recipe.
2. 2Start with the phrase بِما أَنَّ. This is your foundation.
3. 3Add the subject. This can be a noun or a suffix pronoun. If you use a pronoun, it must attach directly to أَنَّ. For example, بِما أَنَّني (Since I) or بِما أَنَّكَ (Since you).
4. 4State the reason. This is usually a small sentence or a description. For example, بِما أَنَّ الجَوَّ جَميل (Since the weather is beautiful).
5. 5State the result. You can separate this with a comma in writing. For example, سَنَذْهَبُ إِلى الحَديقة (We will go to the park).
6. 6Here is a quick cheat sheet for the suffix pronouns attached to أَنَّ:
7. 7بِما أَنَّني (Since I)
8. 8بِما أَنَّكَ (Since you - masculine)
9. 9بِما أَنَّكِ (Since you - feminine)
10. 10بِما أَنَّهُ (Since he/it)
11. 11بِما أَنَّها (Since she/it)
12. 12بِما أَنَّنا (Since we)
13. 13Yes, even native speakers mess this up sometimes by forgetting the pronoun! Just remember that أَنَّ is a "sister of Inna," which means the noun following it usually takes the fatha (the "a" sound) at the end. For A1 level, don't stress the endings too much. Just focus on the structure.

You should reach for بِما أَنَّ in several real-world scenarios.

• Job Interviews: This is a big one. "Since I speak three languages, I am a good fit." (بِما أَنَّني أَتَحَدَّثُ ثَلاثَ لُغات...). It makes you sound competent and logical.
• Ordering Food: If you have a specific dietary need. "Since I don't eat meat, what do you recommend?" (بِما أَنَّني لا آكُلُ اللَّحْم...).
• Asking Directions: "Since the road is closed, how do I get to the museum?"
• Professional Emails: Writing to a teacher or boss. "Since I am sick, I cannot come today."
• Giving Advice: "Since you are tired, you should sleep."
• Academic Writing: When you are connecting two ideas in an essay.

It is perfect for any situation where you want to emphasize the reason before the action. It sets a polite and slightly formal tone. It shows you have a good grasp of sentence structure.

While بِما أَنَّ is great, it isn't always the right choice.

• Very Casual Slang: If you are hanging out with close friends at a cafe, using بِما أَنَّ might sound a bit stiff. It’s like wearing a tuxedo to a backyard BBQ. In those cases, use عشان (ashan) in dialect or لِأَنَّ (li'anna).
• Short Answers: If someone asks "Why?", don't start with بِما أَنَّ. Just use لِأَنَّ.
• Emotional Outbursts: If you are shouting in frustration, you probably won't use a complex logical conjunction.
• Simple Fact Lists: If there is no logical connection between two things, don't force them together with بِما.

1. 1Forgetting the أَنَّ: Many learners just say بِما + [Noun]. This is incorrect. You need the أَنَّ to act as the glue.
2. 2Wrong Pronoun Placement: Don't put the pronoun after a verb. It must stick to أَنَّ.
3. 3Mixing it with لِأَنَّ: Remember, بِما أَنَّ usually starts the sentence. لِأَنَّ usually follows the result.
4. 4Overcomplicating the Result: Keep the second part of the sentence simple. You've already done the hard work with the first part!
5. 5Pronunciation: Make sure to double the 'n' sound in أَنَّ. It is anna, not ana (which means "I"). Confusing these two will definitely lead to some funny looks!

Let's look at بِما أَنَّ versus لِأَنَّ.

• بِما أَنَّ: Starts with the reason. Focuses on the logic. "Since I am here, I will help."
• لِأَنَّ: Starts with the result. Focuses on the cause. "I will help because I am here."

There is also بِسَبَب (bi-sabab), which means "because of." This is followed by a noun, not a full sentence. "Because of the rain, I stayed home." بِما أَنَّ is much more flexible because it allows for a full clause with a verb. Think of بِما أَنَّ as the "professional architect" of sentences, while لِأَنَّ is the "reliable worker."