〜こととて
Seeing that (apologetic) 〜こととて
Meaning
"Because it is ~ (please excuse it)" — a humble reason offered with an apology.
Formation
[noun の] / [plain form] + こととて
Notes
Very formal and old-fashioned, used almost only when apologising or asking indulgence. The main clause therefore carries ご容赦ください or a similar request.
Examples
不慣（ふな）れなこととて、ご容赦（ようしゃ）ください。
As I am inexperienced, please forgive me.
Breakdown
急（きゅう）なこととて、準備（じゅんび）が整（ととの）っておりません。
As it is so sudden, our preparations are not complete.
Breakdown
知（し）らぬこととて、失礼（しつれい）をいたしました。
Not having known, I was discourteous.
Breakdown
子供（こども）のしたこととて、お許（ゆる）しください。
It was the act of a child, so please forgive it.
Breakdown
田舎（いなか）のこととて、何（なに）もございません。
Being the countryside, we have nothing to offer.
Breakdown
⚠️ Often confused with
〜から
Reason 〜から (because)
Gives a reason or cause — "because ~ / since ~". Subjective and conversational. Comes afte...
〜ので
Reason 〜ので (formal because)
A more formal / softer "because" than から. Used in polite speech, business, and writing....
〜以上（は）
Now that 〜以上は
"Now that ~", "since ~" — given this fact, a duty or resolve follows.
〜だけあって
As you would expect 〜だけあって
"As you would expect of ~", "no wonder, given that ~". Admiring.
〜ことから
Judging from 〜ことから
"From the fact that ~", "judging from ~" — states the evidence a conclusion rests on.
〜につき
Due to / per 〜につき
"Due to ~" in official notices; also "per ~" for rates.
〜ゆえ（に）
Owing to (literary) 〜ゆえ（に）
"Because of ~", "owing to ~" — a stiff, literary statement of cause.
〜とあって
Given the occasion 〜とあって
"Because it is (the special occasion of) ~" — a special situation produces a natural resul...
〜ばこそ
It is only because 〜ばこそ
"It is precisely because ~ (and nothing else)" — an emphatic, positive reason.
〜あっての
Made possible only by 〜あっての
"Which exists only thanks to ~", "~ is what makes it possible".
〜手前
With others watching 〜手前
"Since ~ (and with people watching), I have no choice but to ..." — social face forces the...
〜にかこつけて
Under the pretext of 〜にかこつけて
"Using ~ as an excuse", "under the pretext of ~".