～て・～なくて

About

The て form can be used to link two clauses together, and depending on the sentence, can express that they are linked chronologically, or by cause and effect.

Cause-and-effect ("because") type て form sentences often have actions that are out of the speaker's control in the second clause, such as "surprise" or "worry".

E.g. ハチがいて、困こまった。 "I was distressed because there was a wasp."

Summary

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  The て form can be used to create a cause-and-effect relationship between two clauses

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  Often the second clause of a "because"-type て form sentence has an action that is out of the speaker's control