Rule reminder

Concessive clauses (sebbene, benché, nonostante, anche se) introduce an obstacle that does not prevent the main action: 'Sebbene piovesse, uscimmo' (even though it was raining, we went out — the rain didn't stop us). Causal clauses (poiché, siccome, dato che, perché) introduce the reason FOR the main action: 'Poiché pioveva, restammo in casa' (since it was raining, we stayed home — the rain caused us to stay). The logical relationship is opposite.