Ｗhen two clauses are linked by a -te form verb, they can show that the first verb is the reason for the second clause.
The second clause can show how you feel
ニュースを聞いて、びっくりしました。
I was surprised to hear the news.
It can show potential or state:
しゃべりがはやくて、よくわかりません。
He talks so fast I don’t understand.
Things that happened in the past.
授業に遅れて、先生にしかられた。
I was late for the lesson and got told off by the teacher.
Exceptions
With this structure, clause 2 is a consequence of clause 1, so it can’t show volition. If you want to say what you want to do, or ask somebody to do something, use から.
危ないですから、触らないでください。
It’s dangerous, so please don’t touch.
Ｎote that in this structure, clause 2 has to happen after clause 1, so if this condition is not met, use から.
明日会議がありますから、今日準備し曲げればなりません。
The meeting’s tomorrow, so we have to prepare today.
How to deal with negatives
We’ve already seen that there are two ways to make the -te form of a negative verb: -ないで and -なくて.
When using a -te form to show a reason, it’s more common to use -なくて.
家族に会えなくて、さびしかったです。
I was sad that I couldn’t meet my family.