こととて

こととて is a formal, literary conjunction used to present a reason or cause for a following result. It carries a tone of solemnity or antiquity and is more common in written Japanese, official notices, letters, or classic prose than in casual speech. It often emphasizes the hardship or inevitability of the situation stemming from the stated reason, and the main clause usually conveys a consequence that follows from that reason. It can have a slightly apologetic or lamenting nuance, similar to saying “because of X (and thus...).” It is not commonly used in everyday conversation unless aiming for a literary effect. When using こととて, the reason clause is put in plain form (not formal polite), and the main clause follows in a standard form. Be mindful that this expression can sound pretentious if used inappropriately in casual settings.