At a glance
～こととて gives a reason in a very formal, old-fashioned way. It usually introduces an excuse before an apology or a request for forgiveness: "since ~", "as it is (was) ~".
Verb (plain) / い-adj + こととて
な-adj + な + こととて
Noun + の + こととて
慣れないこととて、ご迷惑をおかけしました。 Since I was not used to it, I caused you trouble.
How to form it
The part before こととて is in plain form, even when the rest of the sentence is polite.
| Attaches to | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Verb | Plain form (present, negative or past) | 慣れないこととて / 子供のしたこととて |
| Verb (classical negative) | ～ぬ | 知らぬこととて |
| い-adjective | Plain form | 慌ただしいこととて |
| な-adjective | ～な | 急なこととて |
| Noun | ～の | 休日のこととて |
Register: formal and old-fashioned. It is used in letters, speeches and written narrative, not in casual speech.