french connecting words for essays

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33 French Conversational Connectors For Smooth Spoken French

As you learn French and begin using longer sentences to express your ideas, you need to know the connectors in French that allow everything to flow together.

Connectors will turn disjointed phrases into joined up sentences, making your French sound more smooth, natural and fluent.

Let’s have a look at an example in English first:

Yesterday, I went for a walk in the park. I arrived at the park. It started raining. I didn’t have an umbrella. I was starting to feel hungry. I decided to take the bus home. I had wasted my day off. It’s always a bad idea to go out without an umbrella in spring. It serves me right.

Compare that with:

Yesterday, I went for a walk in the park. However , when I arrived at the park, it started raining, and unfortunately, I didn’t have an umbrella. Furthermore, I was starting to feel hungry, so I decided to take the bus home instead – but I had wasted my day off. In fact , it’s always a bad idea to go out in spring without an umbrella, so I guess it serves me right.

Which one sounds more natural? Of course it’s the second one. Why? Thanks to the connectors! 

So, to help you out and save you a bit of time, here’s my list of the most important French conversational connectors to get you started.

By the way, if sounding more fluent in French fast is one of your goals, I recommend French Uncovered, which teaches you through StoryLearning®.  Click here  to find out more and try out the method for free.

33 French Conversational Connectors

These are some of the very first words you will learn in French and are essential when forming even the simplest joined-up sentences.

Most of these words work just like their English counterparts.

#1 Et – And

• Example: Je ne veux pas y aller et c’est tout ! – I don’t want to go and that’s that!

#2 Mais – But

• Example: Je ne veux pas y aller, mais tu peux me convaincre – I don’t want to go, but you can convince me

#3 Parce que – Because

• Example: Je ne veux pas y aller parce que ça m’ennuie – I don’t want to go because it bores me

#4 Peut-être – Perhaps, Maybe

• Example: Peut-être qu'on peut y aller après-demain – Perhaps we can go the day after tomorrow

#5 Comme – As, Since

This word in French has several meanings, including “like” (as in “similar”) and “as” (“he’s dressed as a monk”). But here, as a connector, it means “as” or “since”, a meaning that is close to “because”.

• Example: Comme ça m’ennuie, je ne veux pas y aller – Since it bores me, I don’t want to go

#6 Donc – Therefore

This is a useful word and is very common – it’s slightly more formal than alors , which we’ll come to in a moment.

• Example: Je n’ai pas d’argent donc je ne veux pas y aller – I don’t have any money, therefore I don’t want to go
• Example: Je pense donc je suis – I think therefore I am

It's also used in the following expression:

• Example: Quoi donc ? – What then?

Multipurpose Connectors In French To Sound Like A Native

Here are a couple of words that are super-common in French and that have lots of meanings.

Learning how to use them correctly can help make your French sound much more natural. And because they have so many uses, they’re extremely useful words to know.

In fact, I could probably write a whole post just about number 7. But I'll just give you an overview for now!

#7 Alors – So, Then, Therefore

This is a word that can seemingly be made to mean almost anything.

But its primary sense is “so” or “therefore”. It’s often used instead of donc and sounds less formal – the difference between the two is similar to the difference between “so” and “therefore” in English.

Note that when it isn’t being used to connect two parts of a sentence, alors can be placed at the beginning or end of what you say.

In English, we use “so” at the start of the sentence or replace it with “then” – which can go at the start or at the end. See the third example below to see how this works.

• Je n’ai pas d’argent alors je ne veux pas y aller – I don’t have any money, so I don’t want to go
• Je ne le voulais pas alors pourquoi tu l’as acheté ? – I didn’t want it so why did you buy it?
• Alors pourquoi tu l’as acheté?/Pourquoi tu l’as acheté alors ? – So/then why did you buy it?/Why did you buy it then?

Alors can also be used when in English you might say “so” or “well”. And just like in English, it has the full range of nuances, depending on how and when you say it.

Here are just a couple of examples:

• Alors ? – So? Well? (with a rising, questioning intonation – could mean “what do you want?” “how did it go?” “did you find it?” etc. depending on the context)
• Alors ! – Well then! (with a falling intonation, kind of like “I told you so!”)
• Bah alors ! – Well then! There, there! (depending on how you say it, it could mean anything from “well what did you expect?” or “serves you right” to “there, there” said to comfort someone!)

#8 Quand Même – All The Same, Anyway

I remember hearing this expression a lot when I was first learning French. Then – and when I finally worked out how to use it myself, I felt that my French had suddenly made a big jump forward.

It’s such a typically French expression that’s more than just another vocabulary item. And sometimes its meaning defies translation.

The basic sense is something like “all the same”. But you'll hear it used in all kinds of situations with varying nuances. Check out these examples:

• Je ne veux pas y aller mais je vais y aller quand même – I don’t want to go but I will go all the same (the meaning is close to “anyway” – I will go even though I don’t want to)
• Il est quand même un bon jouer – He’s a good player all the same (perhaps some doubt has been expressed about the player’s abilities and the speaker accepts the point but wants to stress that he’s still a good player – ‘yes, sometimes he’s lazy, but he’s a good player all the same’)
• C’est cher mais c’est bon quand même ! – It’s expensive, but it’s good though! (here, the idea being expressed is that although the food is expensive, it’s very good so it’s worth the money)

Quand même can also be used alone as a kind of exclamation to express the idea that something is impressive or considerable.

• Example: C’était combien ? 1.300€. Quand même ! – How much was it? €1,300. Wow, not exactly cheap! (the meaning is that the price is quite considerable – try to imagine it being said with a Gallic rise of the eyebrows, a slight tilt of the head, a little exhalation and a facial “shrug”!)

Other Useful Connectors In French

Most of these words are similar to the English equivalents.

#9 Pourtant – Yet, Still

Similar to “yet” or “still” in English.

• Example: Il est pourtant venu – Yet he came/he still came/yet he still came
• Example: Et pourtant, il est quand même venu – And yet he still came

#10 Cepandant – However

• Example: Il est beau. Cepandant je le trouve très bête – He’s handsome. However, I find him very stupid

#11 (Tout) D’abord – First (Of All)

• Example: D’abord, je vais chercher mon manteau – First, I’m going to fetch my coat

#12 En Général – In General

• Example: En général, ils sont tous comme ça – In general, they’re all like that

#13 En fait – In fact, Actually

Also, see actuellement in the “False Friends” section at the end.

• Example: En fait, je préfère la bière – In fact, I prefer beer

#14 Quant à – As For, Concerning

• Example: Quant à mes amis, ils préfèrent le vin – As for my friends, they prefer wine

#15 D’ailleurs – Moreover, Furthermore

• Example: Non, je ne l’ai pas invité. Et d’ailleurs, je lui ai dit de ne pas venir – No, I didn’t invite him. And moreover, I told him not to come

#16 Au Contraire – On The Contrary

• Example: Au contraire, ce n’est pas du tout ce que je voulais dire – On the contrary, that’s not what I meant at all

#17 Malgré – Despite

• Example: Malgré tout, elle l’aime toujours – Despite everything, she still loves him

#18 Sinon – Otherwise

• Example: Tu lui diras. Sinon il va oublier – Tell him. Otherwise he’ll forget

#19 Dès Que – As Soon As

• Example: On va partir dès qu’il arrive – We’ll leave as soon as he arrives

#20 Quoique – Whatever

This expression is always followed by a subjunctive verb in French .

• Example: Il ne me croit pas, quoique je dise – He doesn’t believe me, whatever I say

#21 Sans Doute – Without

• Example: Sans doute, c’est pour ça – Without doubt, that’s why

#22 Par Contre – On The Other Hand

• Example: S’il fait beau, j’irai. Par contre, s’il pleut, je reste ici – If the weather is good, I’ll go. On the other hand, if it rains, I’ll stay here

#23 En Plus – Furthermore, Additionally, As Well

• Example: Il a volé mon portefeille, et en plus, il m’a insulté ! – He stole my wallet, and furthermore, he insulted me!

#24 Surtout – Above All

• Example: Et surtout, il ne faut pas le dire à personne ! – And above all, you mustn’t tell it to anyone!

#25 De Toute Façon – Anyway

• Example: De toute façon, je vais lui dire – I’m going to tell him anyway

Connectors In French For Expressing Your Opinion

These are words and phrases for when you need to express your opinion.

#26 Je Pense Que… – I Think That…

• Example: Je pense que tu as tort – I think you’re wrong

#27 À Mon Avis – In My Opinion

• Example: À mon avis, ce n’est pas le cas – In my opinion, that’s not the case

#28 Pour Moi – For Me

• Example: Pour moi, ce n’est pas la peine – For me, it’s not worth it

#29 Selon – According To

• Example: Selon mon professeur, ça se dit comme ça – According to my teacher, that’s how it’s said

Connectors In French: False Friend Alert!

To finish, here are a couple of connecting words that many English speakers get wrong – as do many French speakers when they use the English versions.

#31 and #32 are slightly different from English and are easy to confuse. The last is one of the most notorious false friends in the French language.

#30 En Effet – Indeed, Actually

This doesn’t quite mean ‘in effect’. It’s closer to ‘indeed’ or ‘actually’.

• Example: En effet, c’est tout à fait vrai ! – Indeed, it’s completely true!

#31 Finalement – In The End, After All

Be careful here – finalement doesn’t mean “finally” as in “he’s finally arrived”. The true meaning is “in the end” and is used, for example, when the final outcome is not what you expected.

• Example: Ah ! Alors finalement tu as décidé de venir ! – Ah! So you decided to come in the end!

#32 Enfin – Finally, At Last, At Least

If you want to say “finally”, the correct word is enfin – it expresses the idea that something you have been waiting for has finally happened.

• Example: Il a enfin réussi à vendre sa maison ! – He’s finally managed to sell his house!

It also has another meaning that is similar to “at least” in English.

• Example: Il a vendu sa maison. Enfin, c’est ce que j’ai entendu – He sold his house. At least, that’s what I heard

#33 Actuellement – At The Moment, Currently, Right Now

Actuellement DOES NOT mean “actually”! If you want to express “actually”, the closest French expression is en fait (in fact).

Actuellement means “currently” or “at the moment”, and this is why sometimes French people will say things like “I’m busy actually” – they really mean “I’m busy right now”.

• Example: Je ne suis pas disponible actuellement – I’m not available right now/currently

Connectors In French: A Quick Way To Improve Your French

Many of these words are invaluable since they can help you express yourself much more clearly and accurately.

Plus, there are no complicated grammar rules to learn. You can sound more natural and fluent with minimal effort.

En plus , by incorporating them into your active French vocabulary, you can make yourself sound much more like a native speaker.

Et finalement , that’s the goal that everyone is hoping to achieve!

This list is a great start point. But now it's over to you. As you read French and listen to French , notice these connectors. Observe how native people use them in their conversations. How do they pronounce them? Where and when do they use them.

This is great preparation for using them in your conversations with French speakers.

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23 Key French Transition Words

The French language has quite the catalog of transition words to help hold it all together.

Not only do they keep you from sounding robotic, but they’re also the key to writing effective essays, understanding the literature you’re reading and improving your comprehension and conversation .

Here are 23 French transition words that you can start integrating into your sentences.

Tying It All Together: 23 Transition Words for Seamless French

1. d’abord, 5. ainsi que, 6. après que, 7. avant que, 8. bien que, 10. parce que/car, 11. pour que, 12. quoi que, 13. tant que, 14. comme / puisque, 15. lorsque / quand, 16. quoique, 18. en fait, 19. cependant, 20. en revanche / par contre, 21. en plus / en outre, 22. pour ma part / pour moi, 23. à mon avis, how to integrate french transition words into your diet, get your feet wet with quizzes, extract transition words from real french materials, write your own beautiful sentences, use transition words with the subjunctive, listen to french instructors online, and one more thing....

Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere. Click here to get a copy. (Download)

Translation: First of all

Subjunctive-friendly?  Nah.

When you think “transition word,” this may be what you’re thinking. To start with the basics, here’s one of the first transition words you likely learned in French class. It’s best at the beginning of sentences, when giving directions or when recounting a series of events.

D’abord , il faut réchauffer le four. (First of all, you must preheat the oven.)

Translation: Next

Subjunctive-friendly?  Nuh-uh.

An easy way to remember this one (yet another in the series of your basic transition words), is that la  suite   is the sequel or “the next one” in French. It’s a useful piece of vocab when delving into French book series and films, and this transition word is obviously useful for continuing a series of events or directions you may be giving.

Ensuite , je prépare la tarte aux cerises. (Next, I prepare the cherry pie.)

Translation: Then

Subjunctive-friendly?  Not this one, either.

Then, you’ve got  puis .  If you’re unfamiliar with this one, just know that it’ll come up a lot in literature and conversation. It’s a very useful transition word to have under your belt. Puis  proves to be a good fallback word to have when some of the more specific transition words slip your mind.

Puis, je coupe les pêches. (Then, I cut the peaches.)

Translation: Finally

Subjunctive-friendly?  Pas du tout  (not at all).

In our  d’ abord, ensuite, puis  sequence, we end with  enfin .  This useful word is not only used as a transition to mark  la fin (the end) of something, but is also an interjection—a filler word, if you will.

It can mean “well,” “all in all,” “I mean” or “at least.” It’s a multi-edged sword. Use it as a transition to an end or to make your conversational French more authentic.

Enfin, on mange tout. (Finally, we eat everything.)

Translation:  As well as

Subjunctive-friendly?  Nope!

Getting into some more advanced vocabulary now, this means “just as.” This conjunction is useful when elaborating on something you’re already discussing. It can also be used with a different meaning of “just as,” as in “It went just as I thought.”

Je voudrais une tarte aux pommes ainsi que deux boules de glace. (I would like apple pie as well as two scoops of ice cream.)

Translation:  After/when

Subjunctive- friendly?  Technically, no, but French speakers tend to use the subjunctive after it regardless. So go ahead and get the extra practice.

Bet you’re wondering what the difference is between  a près que   and that old favorite  a près . Après  is a preposition , and  ap rès que  is a compound conjunction . All that means is you use the latter when it’s followed by a verb (like in the example). If you wanted to start a sentence with “after,” then you would use the preposition:

Après , on va partir. (After, we’re going to leave.)

Remember that the  que   helps link the clauses, and you should be good to link the night away.

Je vais dormir  après que je mange toute cette tarte. (I’m going to sleep after I eat all this pie.)

Translation:  Before

Subjunctive-friendly?  Yes, and don’t you forget it!

Similar to  a près que,  this conjunction is not to be confused with its definition without  que.  The same distinction can be made— avant   being the preposition in this case and avant que   the compound conjunction.

Je vais finir la tarte avant que je nettoie la cuisine. (I’m going to finish the pie before I clean the kitchen.)

Translation:  Although/even though

Subjunctive-friendly?  Oh, most definitely.

Careful not translate this one to “good that.” This conjunctive phrase is great for showing contrast and adding “conditions” to things, even though you have to know your subjunctive to use it.

Il m’a donné une tarte aux pêches bien que j’aie commandé une tarte aux pommes! (He gave me peach pie even though I ordered an apple pie!)

Translation: As soon as

Subjunctive-friendly?  Never, ever.

This is usually followed by not the subjunctive, but by a future tense! Makes sense considering the context. This is a great conjunctive phrase to use when making threats, lofty goals and uncertain plans. Très useful.

Dès que la tarte arrive, je vais la détruire. (As soon as the pie arrives, I will destroy it.)

Translation: Because

Subjunctive-friendly?  No.

You’re likely familiar with  parce que ,  and maybe less so with car .  There are some slight distinctions to keep in mind for you nit-picky French speakers out there:  Car  leans slightly more towards “since” or “for.” 

Parce que  is a little stronger when used in speech. They both mean essentially the same thing, but it’s good to know both of them to add variety to your French conversation.

J’aime les tartes plus que les gâteaux parce que (car) la croûte est magnifique. (I like pies more than cakes because the crust is magnificent.)

Translation: So that

Subjunctive-friendly?  You better believe it!

Oh, isn’t it great when such a useful conjunction takes the subjunctive? Well, sure it is! That’s how you get practice.  Pour   means for, but for translation purposes, “so that”   makes more sense when using this phrase.

Je fais une tarte pour que  tu aies quelque chose à manger ce soir. (I’m making a pie so that you have something to eat tonight.)

Translation: No matter what

Subjunctive-friendly?  Yes…yet again!

I bet your mind is reeling with how much better your French will sound once you get this one down. No matter what the medium is, it’s useful.

But you may be noticing an interesting trend: A word that you’re well-versed in (bien, quoi, pour) , when   added to our favorite little word  que,  can bring out a completely different definition. Keep this in your mental notebook when you read these phrases or hear them spoken!

Quoi que ma mère fasse en cuisine, c’est délicieux. (No matter what my mom makes in the kitchen, it’s delicious.)

Translation: As long as

Subjunctive-friendly?  No, you’re safe on this one.

What’s  tant   mean anyway? Funny you should ask, because this here is yet another example of fun words being transformed by their trusty sidekick  que. Tant  by itself means “so much or many,” or can be used to express an indefinite quantity.

If you apply that definition back to this transitional phrase, then you can see something of a rough translation that matches “as long as.” But as long as you remember the definition, you’ll be good to go.

Tant que cette tarte est là, je serai tenté de la manger. (As long as this pie is here, I will be tempted to eat it.)

Translation: Since

Subjunctive-friendly?  No and no.

Even though the definition is the same on these two, there is a slight distinction. Comme is useful for showing both the cause and result in a sentence, whereas puisque just gives an explanation.

Comme also likes to hang around at the beginning of sentences, whereas  puisque can go in the middle if it so pleases. This distinction will help you sound extra-super pro!

Comme j’ai mangé trop de tarte, je ne peux pas manger mes légumes. (Since I ate too much of the pie, I can’t eat my vegetables.)

Puisque je l’ai fait, je goûte en premier. (Since I made it, I’ll taste [it] first.)

Translation: When

Subjunctive-friendly?  Sadly, no.

These are interchangeable when talking about time, though lorsque is a formal upgrade of quand . Gauge the situation when you pick. They both have their own special purpose as well: Quand can mean “whenever,” and lorsque can mean “whereas.”

  Je cuisinais quand/ lorsque   tu es arrivé. (I was cooking when you arrived.)

Translation: Even though

Subjunctive-friendly?  You better believe it.

Okay, I’ll admit…it does get a bit confusing here. We just did  quoi que , meaning “no matter what,”   and now we’ve got the same thing minus the space in between and all of a sudden it means “even though”?

These sound the same when spoken , but you should be able to figure it out based on the context. In addition, bien que   and  quoique can be used interchangeably. Just another opportunity for you to diversify.

Je mangerai une autre tranche quoique je n’aie pas faim. (I will eat another slice even though I’m not hungry.)

Translation: So

Subjunctive-friendly?  Not even close.

There is so much to say about this little word.  Donc   is one of the holy grails of French filler words , one of the little idiosyncrasies of French speech that you’ll pick up while in France and carry with you, smiling, forever.

They use it both in the “correct” fashion, showing causation, as well as how we use it in English: “So, here’s the thing.” “So, I was heading to the store.” “So… So… So…” Remember  donc.  Cherish it. Can you tell this is my favorite French transition word?

Je veux que tu la goûtes, donc je garde une part. (I want for you to taste it, so I’m saving a piece.)

Translation: In fact

You have no excuses for not remembering this one. It’s spelt and sounds similar to the English definition. Use this phrase before emphasizing an important conclusion or key point.

En fait, l’année dernière j’ai gagné une competition. (In fact, last year I won a competition.)

Translation: However, nonetheless

Subjunctive-friendly?  No! No!

Cependant   is actually an adverb, but it still functions as a transition word. Use it at the beginning of a sentence to point out an opposition or contradiction.  Pourtant   is a close cousin, but it’s a little more nuanced, as it indicates that one thing happened when another one was expected to.

Cependant , j’aime un bon gâteau de temps en temps. (However, I enjoy a nice cake from time to time.)

Translation: On the other hand, in opposition

Subjunctive-friendly?  Mais non ! 

The definition is close to  cependant , but provides a little clearer contrast. Those make for two great transition words when you’re writing essays in French or can’t decide which type of pie is better.

Une tarte aux pommes est classique. Par contre , une tarte aux tomates est bonne pour le petit-déjeuner, le déjeuner et le dîner. (An apple pie is classic. On the other hand, a tomato pie is good for breakfast, lunch and dinner.)

Translation: Also

Subjunctive-friendly?  Jamais  (never).

Need to add something that you forgot before? These two are good ways to vary your language and avoid using  aussi   (also) at every turn.  En plus   is common in conversation, and it, as well as  en outre ,  is often a better alternative to  aussi  in written French.

En outre , il faut choisir un bon parfum de glace pour accompagner la tarte. (Also, one must choose a good ice cream flavor to go with the pie.)

Translation: For me

Subjunctive-friendly?  Stop asking. It’s another “no.”

Here are two phrases to use when you want to put emphasis on “me! me! me!”  Pour moi   is a good way to order at a restaurant , and  pour ma part   is best for stating opinions.

Pour moi/ma part , je préfère la tarte au citron. (For me, I prefer lemon pie.)

Translation: In my opinion

Subjunctive-friendly?  This is the last time I’m saying it…nope.

But when you really want to make it all about you and your opinions, this is the best phrase. To qualify a statement as an opinion, or before you go on a rant about something you’re passionate about, this is a great transitional phrase to use and abuse!

À mon avis , tous ces phrases sont ridicules! (In my opinion, all of these sentences are ridiculous!)

Gauging your knowledge with a few quizzes before you delve into any topic is always a good idea. You may even get a little confidence boost when you realize that you already know a sizable handful of transition words!

• Check out this quiz  from Quizlet.
• This one makes noise when you click on words.
• And for a challenge, this fill-in-the-blank quiz is the ticket.

Authentic French movies, TV shows and videos are another great place to look and listen for transition words. You’ll hear how they’re used naturally by real French speakers , which is invaluable to incorporating them into your own French.

FluentU takes authentic videos—like music videos, movie trailers, news and inspiring talks—and turns them into personalized language learning lessons.

You can try FluentU for free for 2 weeks. Check out the website or download the iOS app or Android app.

P.S. Click here to take advantage of our current sale! (Expires at the end of this month.)

Try FluentU for FREE!

Practice makes perfect, so get out your pens and paper, and start on those French sentences ! Try writing a paragraph that uses four or five transition words .

If you’re more into immersion-based learning , make sure to include appropriate transition words when writing emails to your pen pals, writing entries in your French journal or even in text messages with another French-speaking friend.

The subjunctive is nothing to fear, but sometimes it can be difficult to integrate into the French you actually use.

If you’re still a beginner, no worries here. Many of the above words and phrases don’t require the subjunctive mood. On the other hand, you always could take the opportunity to learn about this ultra-useful and fun French staple .

Listening to French teachers and instructors helps boost your knowledge of French connectors and ensures you correctly learn them. For a great introduction to French transition words, check out the video below.

French instructor Kritika takes you through some common transition vocabulary and even tests your knowledge at the end with a fun fill-in-the-blank activity!

Enfin,  you’re well-equipped to speak like a pro, write like an essayist and understand all the details in the French literature you’re devouring.

While there are far more transition words than those listed, knowing the basics will do wonders for your fluency.

Choppy French no more!

FluentU has a wide variety of great content, like interviews, documentary excerpts and web series, as you can see here:

FluentU brings native French videos with reach. With interactive captions, you can tap on any word to see an image, definition and useful examples.

For example, if you tap on the word "crois," you'll see this:

Practice and reinforce all the vocabulary you've learned in a given video with learn mode. Swipe left or right to see more examples for the word you’re learning, and play the mini-games found in our dynamic flashcards, like "fill in the blank."

All throughout, FluentU tracks the vocabulary that you’re learning and uses this information to give you a totally personalized experience. It gives you extra practice with difficult words—and reminds you when it’s time to review what you’ve learned.

Start using the FluentU website on your computer or tablet or, better yet, download the FluentU app from the iTunes or Google Play store. Click here to take advantage of our current sale! (Expires at the end of this month.)

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How to use french linking words (39 examples + anki file).

• Sam Denishin
• June 26, 2020

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Do you want to know how to use French linking words?

Are you tired of just being able to use the same (boring) linking words such as: et, mais, quand, parce que, and ou ? Or, do you simply want to improve your vocabulary?

Well good luck, in this lesson I present to you the definitive list of French linking words.

This lesson provides an overview of all the linking words in French in all of the different categories.

I will explain each category and give examples of words you can use. The words will then be used in a sentence so you can see it in a proper context.

Furthermore, I put all of them in an Anki File called “how to use French linking words” which you can download and add to you collection.

Also, at the end you will find a graph which contains all of the French linking words. I advise you to download this so you can always have something to fall back to when you need to use French linking word.

Once you are done with this lesson you will know exactly how to use French linking words!

Table of Contents

Overview of all french linking words.

In this lesson regarding how to use French linking words you will find 17 categories of French linking words.

Every category will be explained and then examples will be added so you can understand it.

There are 78 sentences in 39 examples to show you how to use French linking words.

I made all examples myself except one which is from a famous book – let’s see if you can figure out which one it is!

The words in the category deal with addition, or summations in sentences.

• Aurélie et Jean se promènent avec leur chien.
• Aurélie and Jean are walking their dog.
• puis = then
• Je vais à Boston et puis à New York.
• I am going to Boston and then to New York.

Alternative

When you are dealing with many choices the words in this category are used.

• Je voudrais aller à Paris ou à Rome cette année.
• I would like to go to Paris or Rome this year.

Please don’t confuse this with où which means where.

• soit … soit … = either … or…
• Elle aime soit se reposer, soit se promener.
• She likes either relaxing or taking walks.

When you are talking about a purpose or a goal the words in this category are used.

• Je m’entraîne pour pouvoir gagner.
• I’m training so I can win.
• afin de = in order to
• Je vous écris afin de postuler pour le poste de directeur.
• I’m writing to you in order to apply for the job of director.
• afin que = so that/ in order to
• Je te donne mes clés afin que tu puisses entrer.
• I’m giving you my keys so that you can come in.

A lot of the words in this category require the use of the subjonctif. In the picture I have highlighted which ones require the subjonctif.

The first two examples ( pour and afin de ) only require the indicatif. So you can just use them if you don’t know the subjonctif.

If you want to talk about why something happened or what the cause of something was then the words in this category are used.

In speaking people often use parce que , and in writing car .

• parce que = because
• I am feeling good because I just ate.
• Je me sens bien parce que je viens de manger.
• car = because
• Je t’écris car tu me manques.
• I’m writing to you because I miss you.

When something happens due to a positive thing one uses grâce à . However, when something happens due to a negative thing one uses à cause de .

• grâce à … (positif) = thanks to … (positive)
• Grâce à vous, nous avons réussi!
• Thanks to you we made it!
• à cause de … (négatif) = due to … (negative) / because of … (negative)
• La fête a été annulée à cause de la tempête.
• The party was cancelled because of the storm.

Comparaison

If you want to make a comparison then the words in this category are used.

For comparisons using adjectives one can use the following linking words.

• plus (adjectif) que = (adjective)-er than/more (adjective) than
• Tokyo est plus grand que Toulouse.
• Tokyo is bigger than Toulouse.
• aussi (adjectif) que = as (adjective) as  
• Ma mère est aussi intelligente que mon père.
• My mom is as smart as my father.
• moins (adjectif) que = less (adjective) than       
• Elle est moins grande que moi.
• She is less tall than me.

For comparisons using adverbs  one can use the following linking words.

• plus (adverbe) que = more (adverb) than / (adverb)-er than
• Elle court plus vite que moi.
• She runs faster than I do.
• aussi (adverbe) que = as (adverb) as    
• Je pratique aussi bien que mon frère.
• I practice as well as my brother.
• moins (adverbe) que = less (adverb) than         
• Paul mange moins fréquemment que Charles.
• Paul eats less frequently than Charles.

When talking about a concession the words in this category are used.

• même si = even if
• Je continuerai à essayer même si j’échoue.
• I will keep trying even if I fail.
• malgré + nom = despite + noun
• Je t’aime malgré le fait que tu aimes la fin de Game of Thrones.
• I love you despite the fact that you like the ending of Game of Thrones.

When you conclude an argument the words in category are useful – especially when you write an essay.

• en conclusion = in conclusion
• En conclusion , nous devons investir dans l’énergie nucléaire.
• In conclusion , we must invest in nuclear energy.
• pour conclure = to conclude
• Monsieur le Président, je voudrais formuler quelques brèves observations pour conclure le débat.
• Mr Speaker, I would like to make a few brief comments to conclude the debate.

When you want to express a conditional thought or idea then this category is used. Please note the use of the conditional.

• si (imparfait), + (conditionel) = if (imperfect), + (conditional)
• Si j’étais riche, j’achèterais un bateau pour voir le monde.
• If I were rich I would buy boat to see the world.
• au cas où + (conditionnel) = if + (conditional)
• Appelle-moi au cas où tu aurais besoin de conseils.
• Call me in case you need advice.

Conséquence

When speaking about consequences these linking words are used. Generally people in France use du coup to talk about consequences.

• Alors , Emmanuel est allé à Nice quand l’été a commencé.
• So , Emmanuel went to Nice when the summer began.
• Jean est parti tôt, donc j’ai dû faire la lessive moi-même.
• Jean left early, so I had to do the laundry myself.

Classification

This is useful when you need to write an essay. Generally you will give three arguments for or against something.

• premièrement = firstly
• Premièrement , nous devons investir dans l’éducation pour améliorer notre pays.
• Firstly , we need to invest in education to improve our country.

You can use deuxièmment and troisièmement to start your second and third argument.

Explication

If you wish to clarify something then these linking words are used.

• c’est-à-dire = that is to say
• Une fête aura lieu vendredi prochain, c’est-à-dire le 19 juin.
• A party will be held next Friday, that is to say , on the 19 th of June.

Illustration

If you wish to further illustrate your point, or provide an example then these linking words are used.

• par exemple = for example
• Elle aime regarder des films romantiques, par exemple Titanic.
• She loves to watch romantic films, for example Titanic.
• notamment = especially
• Vincent van Gogh est bien connu, notamment pour son impact sur le post-impressionnisme.
• Vincent van Gogh is well known, especially for his impact on post-impressionism.

Justification

If you want to justify an idea or an argument then you can use the words in this category.

• Je ne peux pas venir parce que je suis très fatigué.
• I cannot come because I am very tired.
• puisque = since
• Aide-moi puisque tu sais cuisiner.
• Help me since you can cook.

When you like to connect ideas/arguments with each other these linking words are used.

• en effet = as a matter of fact/ indeed
• Je vous écris car j’ai un problème dans l’appartement. En effet , il y a une fuite d’eau.
• I’m writing to you because I have a problem in the apartment. As a matter of fact , there is a water leak.
• en fait = in fact
• Il est vraiment bon aux échecs. En fait , il est le champion du monde.
• He is really good in playing chess. In fact he is the world champion.

When you want to provide a contrast between two things then these linking words are used.

• Normalement, je devrais aller au match, mais demain je suis occupé.
• Normally I would go to the match, but tomorrow I am busy.
• alors que = whereas
• Je suis timide alors que mon frère est extraverti.
• I am shy whereas my brother is an extravert.

Restriction

When speaking about restrictions or exceptions these linking words are used.

• sauf = except
• Vous pouvez tout filmer sauf le palais royal.
• You can film everything except the royal palace.
• cepedant = however/but
• Mon Uber a du retard. Cependant , j’y serai assez tôt.
• My Uber’s running late. However , I’ll be there soon enough.

When talking about time these linking words are used.

• quand = when
• Quand pouvez-vous nous rejoindre ?
• When can you join us?
• lorsque = when
• Lorsque j’avais six ans j’ai vu, une fois, une magnifique image, dans un livre sur la Forêt Vierge qui s’appelait “Histoires Vécues”
• When I was six years old I once saw a magnificent picture in a book about the virgin forest called “Stories Lived”

Final Comments

That was it, now you know how to use French linking words!

Regarding the other words in the list please don’t think that you need all of them to speak French.

It is helpful to widen your vocabulary though therefore I made this lesson on how to use French linking words.

Please use linguee to see the other words in the proper context if you are curious about them.

Also I hope you were able to figure out which sentence belonged to a famous book! Please let me know if you have any other questions!

If you want to know how to use French linking words in practice then downloading and using the Anki File on this subject is incredibly important.

If you don’t know why you should use Anki, or don’t know how to use Anki or merge Anki files please click  here .

Now I will describe the process to download the “how to use French linking words” Anki File. If you haven’t already, please download Anki from here .

• Click the link on the right to download the file.
• After you have downloaded it, please double click on the file and it will open in Anki.
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Graph With All Of The French Linking Words

This is the graph which I made which contains all of the linking words. If you want to know how to use French linking words then saving this will help you a lot.

Some words are written in blue. This means that you have to use the subjonctif if you use them.

Other words are written in green. This means that if the condition has been met, or the event has already happened then you use the indicatif. Otherwise you have to use the subjonctif.

You can right click on the image and then save it to your computer.

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29 Essential French Logical Connectors – When and How To Use Them

Mastering logical connectors is key to communicating clearly in French. This comprehensive guide will teach you 29 essential French logical connectors – what they mean, when to use them, and how to effectively utilize them with example sentences.

Whether you need to express cause and effect, contrast ideas, summarize points or provide examples, this article will explain the most common and useful French connecting words and phrases.

1. Mais (but) 2. Car/Parce que (because) 3. Donc (so/therefore) 4. Or (now/yet) 5. Cependant/Pourtant (however) 6. Ainsi (thus) 7. C’est pourquoi (that’s why) 8. En effet (indeed) 9. De plus (furthermore/moreover) 10. Par conséquent (consequently) 11. En revanche (on the other hand) 12. Autrement dit (in other words) 13. Pour conclure (in conclusion) 14. Certes (admittedly) 15. Sauf que (except that)

16. Vu que (given that) 17. Par ailleurs (moreover) 18. En dépit de (despite) 19. En somme (in summary) 20. En l’occurrence (in this instance/case) 21. Tel que (such as) 22. À savoir (namely) 23. Entre autres (among other things) 24. À moins que (unless) 25. D’ailleurs (moreover/besides) 26. Par ailleurs (furthermore/in addition) 27. Faute de (for lack of) 28. Encore que (although) 29. Étant donné que (given that)

1. Mais (but)

Mais (but) – – Use “mais” to express contrast or opposition between two ideas. Ex: “Il fait beau aujourd’hui, mais il risque de pleuvoir ce soir.” (It’s sunny today, but it might rain tonight).

2. Car/Parce que (because)

Car/Parce que (because) – Use “car” or “parce que” to introduce an explanation or justify a statement. Ex: “Je suis fatigué car je me suis couché tard hier soir.” (I’m tired because I went to bed late last night).

3. Donc (so/therefore)

Donc (so/therefore) – Use “donc” to indicate a conclusion or consequence based on what was stated before. Ex: “Il a beaucoup étudié, donc il a réussi son examen.” (He studied hard, so he passed the exam).

4. Or (now/yet)

Or (now/yet) – “Or” indicates a change or shift in a narrative. It introduces something in contrast or opposition to what precedes it.

Ex: “Paul voulait partir en vacances. Or, il devait travailler ce week-end.” (Paul wanted to go on vacation. Yet, he had to work this weekend).

5. Cependant/Pourtant (however)

Cependant/Pourtant (however) – Use “cependant” or “pourtant” to express contrast or qualification after a statement. Ex: “Cet exercice semblait facile. Pourtant, peu d’étudiants ont réussi.” (This exercise seemed easy. However, few students succeeded).

6. Ainsi (thus)

Ainsi (thus) – “Ainsi” indicates a consequence or result that follows logically. Ex: “L’équipe jouait bien. Ainsi, elle a gagné le match.” (The team was playing well. Thus, they won the game).

7. C’est pourquoi (that’s why)

C’est pourquoi (that’s why) – Use this to justify or explain the cause of something stated previously. Ex:”Les routes étaient glissantes. C’est pourquoi nous sommes rentrés prudemment.” (The roads were slippery. That’s why we drove back carefully).

8. En effet (indeed)

En effet (indeed) – Use “en effet” to confirm or emphasize a statement. Ex:”Il faisait un froid glacial. En effet, le thermomètre indiquait -10°C.” (It was freezing cold. Indeed, the thermometer read -10°C).

9. De plus (furthermore/moreover)

De plus (furthermore/moreover) – Use “de plus” to add supplemental information that reinforces or builds upon a previous statement.

Ex: “Il était déjà en retard. De plus, il n’avait pas terminé son devoir.” (He was already late. Furthermore, he hadn’t finished his homework.)

10. Par conséquent (consequently)

Par conséquent (consequently) – Use this to indicate a consequence or result that follows from what was previously stated. Ex: “L’avion a été annulé. Par conséquent, nous devons reporter notre voyage.” (The plane was cancelled. Consequently, we have to postpone our trip.)

11. En revanche (on the other hand)

En revanche (on the other hand) – This sets up a contrast between two elements or situations.

Ex: “Paul adore la musique rock. En revanche, sa soeur préfère le jazz.” (Paul loves rock music. On the other hand, his sister prefers jazz.)

12. Autrement dit (in other words)

Autrement dit (in other words) – Use this to rephrase an idea in a different way, to clarify the initial statement.

Ex: “Ce film était trop compliqué. Autrement dit, il était difficile à comprendre.” (This movie was too complex. In other words, it was hard to understand.)

13. Pour conclure (in conclusion)

Pour conclure (in conclusion) – This introduces the conclusion or a summary of what was previously stated.

Ex: “Pour conclure, je pense que cette décision est la meilleure solution.” (In conclusion, I think this decision is the best solution.)

14. Certes (admittedly)

Certes (admittedly) – “Certes” concedes or acknowledges a point, while introducing a counterpoint.

Ex: “Certes, il a fait des erreurs, néanmoins je lui fais confiance.” (Admittedly, he made some mistakes, nevertheless I trust him.)

15. Sauf que (except that)

Sauf que (except that) – This introduces a restriction, objection or counters a previous point.

Ex: “J’étais prêt à partir, sauf que j’ai oublié mes clés.” (I was ready to leave, except that I forgot my keys.)

16. Vu que (given that)

Vu que (given that) – “Vu que” provides context or justification for what follows.

Ex: “Vu qu’il pleuvait, nous sommes restés à l’intérieur.” (Given that it was raining, we stayed inside.)

17. Par ailleurs (moreover)

Par ailleurs (moreover) – Use “par ailleurs” to introduce supplemental information.

Ex: “Je n’aime pas courir. Par ailleurs, je préfère nager.” (I don’t like running. Moreover, I prefer swimming.)

18. En dépit de (despite)

En dépit de (despite) – This means “despite” or “in spite of”.

Ex: “En dépit de la pluie, nous sommes allés nous promener.” (Despite the rain, we went for a walk.)

19. En somme (in summary)

En somme (in summary) – Use “en somme” to signal a conclusion or summary of what was stated.

Ex: “En somme, ce fut un bon voyage malgré quelques problèmes.” (In summary, it was a good trip despite some issues.)

20. En l’occurrence (in this instance/case)

En l’occurrence (in this instance/case) – This refers to a precise situation or context.

Ex : En l’occurrence, il faut agir vite. In this case, we need to act quickly.

21. Tel que (such as)

Tel que (such as) – “Tel que” is used to introduce examples or precise elements.

Ex : Certains aliments, tel que les noix, sont allergènes. Some foods, such as nuts, are allergenic.

22. À savoir (namely)

À savoir (namely) – Use “à savoir” to signal key information or specifics.

Ex : Deux points sont à traiter, à savoir la réduction des coûts et l’augmentation des ventes. Two points need to be addressed, namely cost reduction and sales increase.

23. Entre autres (among other things)

Entre autres (among other things) – Use “entre autres” to signal there are other elements in addition to those mentioned.

Ex : Parmi nos projets figurent, entre autres, l’ouverture d’une nouvelle usine et le lancement d’un nouveau produit. Our projects include, among other things, the opening of a new factory and the launch of a new product.

24. À moins que (unless)

À moins que (unless) – “À moins que” sets a condition that must be met for something else to happen.

Ex : Nous irons à la plage, à moins qu’il pleuve. We’ll go to the beach unless it rains.

25. D’ailleurs (moreover/besides)

D’ailleurs (moreover/besides) – Use this to add supplemental information to reinforce a point.

Ex : Il est en retard. D’ailleurs, il n’a pas répondu à nos appels. He’s late. Moreover, he hasn’t answered our calls.

26. Par ailleurs (furthermore/in addition)

Par ailleurs (furthermore/in addition) – “Par ailleurs” introduces an additional point or further information.

Ex : L’entreprise a réduit ses effectifs cette année. Par ailleurs, elle a gelé les salaires. The company downsized this year. Furthermore, it froze wages.

27. Faute de (for lack of)

Faute de (for lack of) – This means “for lack of” or “because of not having”.

Ex : Faute de participants, la réunion a été annulée. For lack of attendees, the meeting was cancelled.

28. Encore que (although)

Encore que (although) – “Encore que” introduces a concession or contrasting element.

Ex : Cette décision est risquée. Encore que le jeu peut en valoir la chandelle. This decision is risky. Although it may be worth it.

29. Étant donné que (given that)

Étant donné que (given that) – Use this to provide context or explanation for what follows.

Ex : Étant donné que tu es malade, tu devrais rester à la maison. Given that you are sick, you should stay home.

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Make Your French Fluent with These Transition Words

Learn the most common transition words in the French language and make sure your speech is always fluid.

Intermediate

Different Types of Transition Words

D’abord – first of all, ensuite – next, ainsi que – as well as, après que – after/when, avant que – before, puis – then, comme or puisque – since, en outre/en plus – besides/also, à mon avis – in my opinion, bien que – although, parce que/car – because, tant que – as long as, cependant – however/nonetheless, lorsque/quand – when, par conséquent – therefore, au contraire – on the contrary, enfin – finally, some final notes on french connecting words.

When learning a foreign language, one of the most important things to understand is how to connect clauses together in order to create longer and more complex sentences. This is especially true for French, a language that relies heavily on transition words in order to create fluid speech.

In many languages, connecting words are also necessary for connecting different sentences in a paragraph, or paragraphs in larger pieces of writing like essays or other academic papers.

In this article, let’s discuss the various types of transition words available in the French language, and how they can be used to make your French – both oral and written – sound more fluent. We'll also provide some examples so you can see how these words work in practice and take your vocabulary to the next level. Read on!

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There are a variety of transition words that can be used in French, each with its own unique purpose. Let’s take a look at some of the most common types of transition phrases used in French. Don’t worry about the translations, we'll get to those in the next section. Let’s dive in:

1. Introducing a topic

"D'abord, je voudrais parler de... "

This is perhaps the most common type of transition phrase in French. Use it to introduce a new topic or idea. It is a great way to start off a sentence if you’re writing a scientific paper or presenting at a conference, as well as starting an informal conversation you want to keep organized.

2. Adding information

"De plus, il est important de... "

The type of transitional phrase is used to add additional information to what has already been said. They exist to provide extra detail in your sentences and can be really helpful if you want to add additional thoughts to an argument.

3. Showing cause and effect

"Par conséquent, en outre…"

You can use phrases like this to show that one event is the result of another. They are a great way to connect two ideas together.

4. Concluding a topic

"Enfin, Finalement... "

These kinds of phrases wrap up a topic, smooth over the ending, and show ways of opening new topics related to the subject. You can use them both in formal as well as informal speech: for example, to conclude an essay or to wrap up the conversation or argument you had with your friends.

Of course, these are not the only groups of connecting words in French: there are also the ones used to generalize a conversation, contrast or oppose a topic, or express an opinion, among others. Let’s take a look at them as well as some other basic transition words in more detail and see how they are used in practice.

D’abord is one of the most common French transition words, it introduces a new point or idea. It can be translated as “first of all”, writers often use it to start off a sentence or paragraph, as well as to emphasize the first key point of your speech. For example:

D’abord, je voudrais remercier tout le monde.

First of all, I would like to thank everyone.

Ensuite is another common transition word in French, and the English equivalents are “next”, “after that” or “then”. The French use this phrase to introduce a new point or idea, and can be used at the beginning of a sentence or paragraph. Here’s what it can look like:

Ensuite, nous allons discuter de nos options.

Next, we will discuss our options.

Ainsi que is a French transition word that translates to “as well as”. This phrase can introduce a new point or idea, and can be inserted at various points within a sentence. For example:

Je parle anglais et espagnol, ainsi que le français.

I speak English and Spanish, as well as French.

Après que is a French transition word and a compound conjunction that translates to “after” or “when”. It is usually followed by a verb, and connects with another clause via que . Here’s a sample sentence:

Nous allons faire une promenade après que nous avons mangé.

We will go for a walk after we have eaten.

You may already be familiar with the après (after) you can use that on its own in a sentence. In that case, it will usually start a sentence or a new clause:

Après, nous ferons une promenade.

After, we will go for a walk.

Avant que is a French transition word that means “before”. Much like many of the other phrases, you use it to bring up a new point or idea, and the phrase is generally followed by a verb. It is quite similar to the grammar construction après que , so the sentence with it usually looks something like:

• The first clause + avant que + the second clause which starts with a verb

Here’s that in a sentence:

Je vais préparer le repas avant que tu arrives.

I will prepare the meal before you arrive.

Just like with the après que , we can use the preposition avant (before) on its own in a sentence:

Réfléchissez avant de faire quelque chose.

Think before you do something.

Puis is a common French transition word which the French use the way English speakers use “then” – it appears in various literary and scientific works. Look out for it: it can appear in many French conversations with native speakers and is a necessary French word to know for French learners.

Usually we use it to connect two clauses together in a sentence, or make a smoother, more specific transition between two sentences. For instance:

Puis, il a rompu avec moi.

Then, he broke up with me.

Comme and puisque both function the same way “since” or “as” do in English There’s a difference between them, though: if you want to show the cause and result in one sentence, use comme ; and if you need to just give an explanation, use puisque .

Another difference is that comme usually comes at the beginning of the sentence, while puisque can go in the middle of the sentence if necessary.

S'il te plaît, lave la vaisselle puisque tu as déjà fini de manger.

Please wash the dishes since you finished lunch already.

Comme tu ne peux pas boire de lait, j'ai acheté du jus de fruit pour le petit-déjeuner.

Since you can't drink milk, I bought some juice for breakfast.

Besides being a great way to start off a sentence or paragraph, en outre is also one of the more common transition words in French – you can encounter it in many written French sentences. **Its alternative, en plus , is more common in spoken French conversations.

Both en outre and en plus translate to “besides”, “also,” “in addition” or “furthermore”, and are used to add something to the sentence – for example, a new argument you forgot about.

En outre, je n'aime pas trop les gens qui sont toujours en retard.

Besides, I don't really like people who are always late.

Donc is a French transition word that means “therefore” or “so”. Use it to introduce a new point or idea, and is usually followed by a subject and a verb.

It is also one of the most common transition words in the French language, so you will hear it everywhere – from advanced French speakers, intermediate students, native speakers, and basically everyone who knows French at a conversational level.

Il pleuvait, donc je suis resté à la maison.

It was raining, so I stayed home.

A great way to state your own point of view, à mon avis is the French equivalent of “in my opinion”. You can use it at the beginning of a sentence followed by your own idea or suggestion, or you can insert it in the middle of a conversation to show that you strongly believe in what you’re saying.

You can also say pour moi tif you want to avoid formality and express an opinion in a simpler way. Selon moi / Pour ma part / Pour moi are another less formal alternatives.

À mon avis, il est temps de partir.

In my opinion, it's time to leave.

We use the conjunction “although” to connect two contrasting ideas or phrases. In French, the conjunction “although” is bien que , which is often followed by a new clause.

Bien que je te voie souvent, je te manque.

Even though I see you often, I miss you.

The words parce que and car both mean “because” in French, and can be used interchangeably. Parce que is a little bit more formal than car , but both are correct. They are usually followed by a clause, and can stand at the beginning or in the middle of a sentence.

Parce que je n'aime pas les légumes, je ne mange jamais de salades.

Because I don't like vegetables, I never eat salads.

French people use the conjunction tant que to express the idea of “as long as”, and is often followed by a new clause, just like other transition phrases ending in que . It can show up at the beginning or in the middle of a sentence, and is a great way to connect two ideas that are related to each other.

Tant que tu es heureux, c'est tout ce qui compte.

As long as you are happy, that's all that matters.

Cependant is a French adverb that functions as a transition word and means “however”, “nevertheless” or “nonetheless”. You can use it at the beginning of the sentence to show a contradiction or opposition. For example:

Cependant, je dois étudier aujourd'hui.

However, I have to study today.

You might already be familiar with the word quand in French, which means “when” – with lorsque being its formal alternative. When talking about time, they are interchangeable.However, these two words have their own different translations: quand can also mean “whenever,” and lorsque can mean “whereas.”

Both these transition words are usually followed by a clause, and can stand at the beginning or in the middle of a sentence.

J'étudiais quand tu m'as appelé.

I was studying when you called me.

Par conséquent is another great transition word that can translate to “therefore”, “consequently” or “as a result.” Use it to show a logical consequence of what has been said before, and is usually followed by a new clause or a new sentence.

J'ai eu une mauvaise note, par conséquent je dois étudier plus.

I got a bad grade, therefore I have to study more.

Au contraire is the French translation of “on the contrary,” and expresses the opposite of what has been said or what is generally accepted. It might show up at the beginning or in the middle of a sentence, or on its own as an answer to the question.

Tu n'as pas étudié? Au contraire, j'ai étudié toute la journée!

You didn't study? On the contrary, I studied all day long!

Enfin is a French adverb that can be translated as “finally” or “after all.” You can use it to conclude your argument, or to show that you have finished talking about a certain subject. Just like other transition words, you can use it at the beginning of the sentence or in the middle.

Enfin, je suis désolé.

Finally, I'm sorry.

You can also use another transition word à la fin as an alternative to this one: the meaning is the same.

By using these connecting phrases, you'll be able to create more complex sentences with ease – and sound like a true francophone during any French conversation.

Of course, there are so many other important transition words worth knowing in French that we haven’t mentioned above, so don’t stop learning. Keep practicing and improving your vocabulary, and before you know it, you'll be able to speak and write French fluently. Bonne chance !

Beata Hardzei

Beata Hardzei loves languages and shares this passion through her writing. Speaking English, Polish, Russian, and French, she explores the nuances of foreign languages, aiming to make learning feel more like a journey than a task. Beata's background as a teacher and translator enriches her insights, helping you see language learning as an accessible, enriching experience.

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40+ French Transition Words to Boost Your Vocabulary

For anyone learning a language, transition words usually aren’t first on the list. But after you’ve mastered nouns and common French phrases , transition words are key for stringing your sentences together. In fact, transition words are what transform your broken French into the smooth, swoon-worthy language you’ve always dreamed of speaking. So what are you waiting for? Master this list of French transition words and take your vocabulary to the next level.

Comme has a variety of definitions depending on the context, making it an important transition word to learn. First off, comme can be used to mean like or as when you’re comparing or contrasting two things or ideas. It can also mean since  when used at the beginning of a sentence.

Puisque has a similar meaning to comme , meaning because or since . It’s a great tool for offering an explanation in the middle of a sentence, or justifying a thought or action in response to a question.

Translating directly to then , puis makes its way into many conversations and stories. The best part about puis is that its simple and easy to remember when you’re searching for a transition word in conversation.

Also is one of the most commonly used words in modern English, popping up across written and verbal language. En outre is its French equivalent.

This is a handy term that you’re bound to use in everyday conversation. It means because and it can be used to respond to questions or transition between phrases.

This can mostly be interchanged with parce que for a shortened version of because . However, more advanced French speakers use this word as something slightly more like since or for in conversation.

Similarly to puis and car , this go-to transition term is great for moving between multiple thoughts in a sentence. Pour que means so that when explaining why you did or thought something. It can also be used to support a proposition or plan.

Quand is an additional word that works well at the beginning of sentences. It means when . This word can also be combined with other words for a slightly more complex definition. For example, quand meme means even so, and n’importe quand (literally meaning  it’s not important when ) means whenever.

Lorsque is a more formal version of one of the most common French transition words:  quand. G enerally, it has the same meaning.

The word que is a multidimensional tool that can change a word’s meaning and transform it into a transition word. This is seen with alors que . Here’s how that works: alors means so , but adding que changes the meaning to whereas – an important transition word.

If you’re a fan of the word so , you’re going to love its French translation. Donc can be used as a filler word, a question, or to explain things, among many other uses.

Je soutiens donc que

After you’ve mastered the art of donc , see how it can be added to other phrases to mix things up. With je soutiens donc que , you can express something like I maintain that . It’s a more polite way to share your strong beliefs with someone, especially around strangers or colleagues where the conversation is more formal.

Similarly to donc , you might enjoy using the word bref . It means in short when summarizing an event or occurrence. Since bref looks similar to the English word brief , this is an easy one to pull out in a bind.

Considérons

Another helpful transition word for polite conversations is considérons . This means let’s consider and is used at the beginning of a phrase that expresses an alternate point of view. It is an important word for engaging in deeper dialogue that proposes multiple points of view.

Enfin is a multi-purpose word with many meanings, depending on the context in which it is used. On a basic level, it means end . Beyond that, enfin can be sort of a filler word (albeit more sophisticated than um ). Think of it more like the way we say well or I mean before we express an opinion in English.

à la fin is also used to express the end of something. However, it is used in a more specific way to mean at the end , and can’t be used as a filler word like enfin . It is best used when recounting a story, or when describing the plot of a book or movie.

Pour commencer

Now that you know how to express the concept of ending something, how about touting the start of something? Pour commencer means to start with or for starters and is best used at the beginning or end of a sentence.

Not to be confused with enfin , en fait is easy to remember because it has quite a literal translation in English. En means in and fait means fact . En fait = In fact . Easy, right?

This word looks a little like depending or dependent in English, but it instead means however or nevertheless.

This transition word is easy to remember because it looks like in contrast , which is essentially what it means. This phrase is also used to say on the other hand .

Au contraire

Likewise,  au contraire is one of those French transition words that looks like its English counterpart. It means on the contrary .

D’un part / d’autre part

D’un part is used when expressing two varying ideas or points of view. It means on one hand… and is best at the beginning of a sentence. Once an idea is introduced with d’un part , it should be followed up with d’autre part , which is a perfect way to interpret the phrase on the other hand.

Ainsi que means as well as and it can be used in two different contexts. For the first usage, use it to transition between two items that you’re ordering at a restaurant. Je voudrais le salad ainsi que le viande. (I would like the salad as well as the meat). Ainsi que can also mean just as or as well , like when you’re saying the film was just as sad as I thought it’d be.

Autrement dit

If you know that dit refers to something that was said in discussion, than autrement dit should stick well in your mind. It literally translates to another saying and means in other words.

This phrase means first of all and it works well when recounting a story or giving directions or instructions. When writing, it’s also helpful when starting a sentence.

This is also a helpful transition word for giving directions or telling a story. It translates directly to next.

You probably know that après means after. But après que differs from the word  après because it is supposed to be used after a verb. It is also used to talk about something that definitely happened in the past, rather than when proposing uncertain future terms. You can also use après with the word cela, which means after that.

In the same vein, avant que should be used after a verb. Avant by itself simply means before, and it can be used to start a sentence or phrase.

Making plans for tonight? Want to set up a date for tomorrow? Learn plus tard . As one of the simplest French transition words, it means later. Y et it’s used ubiquitously throughout French conversation.

Although this seems like it would mean “good that” it actually has a different meaning. Use bien que to mean even though or although between thoughts or before a phrase.

When making goals or plans, say dès que to express as soon as … to set up a phrase. Another way to say as soon as , albeit longer, is aussitot que.

This fun and subjunctive-friendly phrase will certainly take your French to the next level. It means no matter what and is helpful for starting a well-intentioned belief.

Tant que falls into the same realm as quoi que, meaning as long as. Don’t forget to add the que onto this phrase, because tant by itself is used to express a general quantity, like many.

D’aprés moi

Expressing your ideas and beliefs? Then you should know how to start a sentence correctly. This phrase means according to me. You can also say à mon avis, which means in my opinion. For another idea on expressing your opinion, try saying selon moi – which has a tendency to roll off the tongue with ease.

Je suis contre

Je suis contre is a more direct way to express your opinion about something. It translates directly to I am against in English. It’s beneficial to know when someone asks you your beliefs on something. It’s also a good way to get yourself out of an uncomfortable situation when traveling or in unknown surroundings.

De toute façon

Sooner or later, you’ll find yourself in a conversation where you’ll want to change the subject. Keep this transition short and light with de toute façon , which means anyway… and provides space for a new topic.

Boosting Your Vocabulary with French Transition Words

Learning to speak and write French is a challenging endeavor with long lasting benefits. Amp up your knowledge and become an impressive smooth talker by keeping these French transition words in your back pocket.

Want to learn how to use these transition words in context? Check out Clozemaster – thousands of sentences to help you learn French faster.

3 thoughts on “40+ French Transition Words to Boost Your Vocabulary”

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I’ve been studying French for 2 months now, this content is great for beginers! Thanks for posting!

It’s really helpful to summarize these transition words! I feel I have learned some difficult words in an easier way than I expected! Though I cannot say I understand them well since I’m a beginner, I feel l’ll definitely be more concentrated whenever I meet with them in my future learning of French! Great thanks!

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French Connecting Words List

by John Elkhoury | Learning French | 11 comments

When writing or speaking in French, you’ll need those special linking words and transitions to make your speech or paper flow smoothly. Connecting words also serve a guide for your audience into your next set of thoughts. For example, read any well-constructed French text and you’ll find these words. So, French connecting words are hence, vital to any French learner because of their common application. My article below will present for you a list of French connecting words, indicators of when they are used and a couple example sentences of mine.

Phrases to introduce a topic

d’abord tout d’abord avant tout premièrement en premier lieu

Tout d’abord , il faut que vous résolviez le problème avant de continuer. First of all, you must solve the problem before continuing.

Words to oppose a topic

mais cependant néanmoins pourtant toutefois or d’un autre côté par contre en revanche tout de même quant même

Parfois la lecture est fatigante, néanmoins elle est nécessaire pour le succès au niveau universitaire. Sometimes reading is tiring, however it is necessary to being successful at the university level.

Phrases to focus in

à ce sujet à ce propos en ce domaine du point de vue de dans ce cas dans le cadre de quant à Dans ce cas , il n’y avait pas de victoire pour l’armée française pendant la guerre. In this case, there wasn’t a victory for the French army during the war.

Words to express an alternative

d’une côte…, de l’autre… soit…, soit… ou…, ou… ou bien

Soit vous attaquez, soit vous préparez les défenses mon capitaine. Either you attack or prepare the defenses captain.

Words to generalize

d’une facon générale en général globalement en règle générale

En général , les américains adorent McDo. In general, Americans love Mcdonalds.

Words to justify actions

d’ailleurs par exemple justement la preuve (c’est que) ça prove que ça montre que ça confirm que

D’ailleurs , s’il avait mangé le gâteau, il aurait eu un crise cardiaque.  Incidentally, if he had eaten the cake, he would’ve had a heart attack.

Terms for precision

en fait en réalité à vrai dire autrement dit en d’autres termes en un mot

Les “patriots” pendant la guerre d’indépendance des États-Unis étaient, en réalité , des insurgents contre la Couronne. The patriots during the American revolution   were, in reality, insurgents against the Crown.

Phrases to conclude with

en tout cas de toute façon cela étant cela dit quoi qu’il en soit après tout en définitive finalement en somme somme toute en find de compte apès réflexion (en) bref en conclusion pour conclure en résumé En conclusion , je suis encore un peu sceptique à dire qu’il y a l’américanisation en France. In conclusion, I am still a bit skeptical to say there is Americanization in France.

Additional French phrases suggested in the comment section

quand même d’un côté…, de l’autre… ça prouve que ça confirme que en fin de compte après réflexion

I hope you enjoyed the list! Remember to sprinkle these words in when you need them. The list allows you to do things, such as oppose a viewpoint, without having to use the same connecting word over and over again. If you have any more connecting words that you don’t see above, share them below in the comment section!

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11 Comments

Great list for those who are advanced French speakers. May I suggest that definitions for each (rather than simply categories) would help one to learn to use them correctly?

Hi, Kathleen! No problem, I can put definitions and some example sentences in the future.

Le verbe résolussiez n’existe pas en français ! Tout d’abord, il faut que vous résolviez le problème avant de continuer.

There is not a very good list of words there should be a better list of words but the words that are there are good.

I disagree. This list has almost 70 French terms that you can use in a paper or debate with example sentences. How does that not constitute a good list? Other sources give you 10 words and expect you to be fine with that.

Your comment is borderline contradictory and doesn’t make much sense. For this reason, I was considering moderating it. If you would like to make the list better, you can always suggest more words to add.

quanD meme?

Yep, plus *d’un côté…, de l’autre… *ça prouve que *ça confirme que *en fin de compte *après réflexion

Thank you for this list :)

No problem for the list, thanks for suggesting terms I did not include! I can’t believe I originally forgot “quand même”, which is used very often in French.

Bonne journée :)

I think the comment was about the spelling mistake : quand, not quant… Good list anyway!

quant is correct (different from quand)

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French Conjunctions: Essential Linking Words

Conjunctions are useful, high-frequency words that can be used to link two clauses together. They can be used to make lists, give options, or express contrary ideas. Conjunctions are used just as frequently in French as they are in English. Learning the most commonly-used French conjunctions is essential for gaining fluency and to improve your ability to express yourself in the language.

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Basic High-frequency Conjunctions: Et, Ou, Mais

In this section we’ll go over the most commonly-used French conjunctions. They’re used so often in spoken and written French that it’s likely you’re already familiar with them.

Et is used to join two clauses together just like the word and in English.

• Je suis grand et  j’aime le football américain. – I am tall and  I like football.

Et is also used when listing multiple items.

• J’aimerais un café, un croissant et un jus d’orange. – I would like a coffee, a croissant, and an orange juice.

Ou is used in the same way as or in English, often joining two clauses that provide options.

• Préfères-tu manger à la maison ou  aller au resto ? – Do you prefer to eat at the house or  go to the restaurant?

Ou is also used when listing options.

• J’aime manger du fromage avec du pain ou  du saucisson. – I like to eat cheese with bread or  sausage.

Mais is used just like the word but in English. It expresses a contrary idea or clause.

• Je veux assister au match de foot, mais  je dois étudier la biologie. – I want to attend the soccer game, but  I have to study biology.

Types of French conjunctions: Coordinating conjunctions

The words et, ou, and mais are all examples of French coordinating conjunctions . These types of conjunctions are used to link clauses of equal importance . In many cases, this means you can switch the clauses around in order without the meaning changing significantly. For example:

• J’aime jouer au basket et  faire du ski. – I like to play basketball and  to ski.
• J’aime faire du ski et  jouer au basket. – I like to ski and  play basketball.

In this section we’ll take a look at some of the other most common coordinating conjunctions in French.

So, Therefore

Donc can be used to express a causal relationship between one clause and another.

• Je pense, donc  je suis. – I think, therefore  I am.
• Il fait froid, donc  il faut porter un chapeau. – It’s cold, so  one must wear a hat.

Car is a synonym of the French word parce que , meaning  because. It serves primarily to introduce a clause that responds to the why or pourquoi. Car  is used more often in written French than spoken French.

• Elle boit de l’eau car  elle a soif. – She drinks water because  she is thirsty.

Neither…nor

Ni is a French conjunction word only used in the negative. Ni  takes the place of pas within the negative expression ne … pas . We can list more than two things in our list if we include ni  between each one.

When using ni we omit the indefinite articles de la , du , and des . However, we still include the definite articles le , la , or les  with ni .

• Elle ne  mange ni  pain ni  pâtes ni  riz. – She eats neither  bread nor  pasta nor  rice.
• Nous n ’aimons ni  le chien brun ni  le chat noir. – We like neither  the brown dog nor  the black cat.

Types of French conjunctions: Subordinating conjunctions

The other main type of French conjunction we need to know are the subordinating conjunctions . This type of conjunction is used to link or connect a main clause with a dependent clause . While the main clause can exist on its own, the dependent clause cannot. Let’s clarify this with an example:

• Je peux t’aider si tu veux. – I can help you if  you want.

In this sentence, “I can help you” is the main clause  and can stand alone, while “if you want” is the dependent clause  since it needs to be attached to a main clause.

In this section we’ll introduce the most common subordinating conjunctions in French.

Si is used in exactly the same situations as the word if  is used in English, often to express a condition that will or may lead to a result or outcome.

• Si tu étudies ce soir, tu réussiras ton examen demain. – If  you study tonight, you will pass your test tomorrow.
• Si tu manges trop, tu seras malade. – If  you eat too much, you will be sick.

Que is also often used to introduce a dependent clause, serving the function of the English conjunction that . You will notice [that] it is used more frequently in French, because in English it is often optional.

• Je sais que  tu es intelligent. – I know that  you are intelligent. – I know you are intelligent.

Lorsque  translates directly as when . Lorsque  is only used as a French conjunction though, so don’t confuse it with any other uses of the English word when .

• Mon chat est content  lorsqu ‘il est dehors. – My cat is happy when  he is outside.

Since, As, Because

Puisque  is usually translated as since , though it can take other English equivalents like as  or because  if those work better in the context. Though these English words can have other uses and meanings, remember that puisque  is always used as a subordinating conjunction so don’t get confused by trying to translate in the other direction.

• Mon fils a joué au basket au lycée puisqu ’il était grand. – My son played basketball in high school since  he was tall.
• Puisqu ’elle a fini ses devoirs, sa mère lui a permis de sortir avec ses amies. – Because  she finished her homework, her mom allowed her to go out with her friends.

Even though

Quoique  usually translates as even though , whereas in some contexts it can be translated as although  or even just though .

With this last French subordinating conjunction we’re introducing here, we have an additional grammatical phenomenon to contend with: the subjunctive  tense. You’ll see this in the following examples, where the verb faire  is conjugated as fasse  rather than fait , and the verb être  is conjugated as soit  rather than est .

Quoique  is perhaps the most common of the French conjunctions that trigger the subjunctive, though there are a number of others that you’ll encounter as you progress in learning the language. We’ve included it here so you’re aware of the practice already, even though it’s more of an advanced topic.

• Mon grand-père porte toujours des pantalons, quoiqu ’il fasse hyper chaud en Arizona. – My grandfather always wears long pants, even though  it’s super hot in Arizona.
• Quoiqu ’elle soit libre ce soir, ma sœur ne veut pas m’aider. – Even though  she’s free tonight, my sister does not want to help me.

Transition words: Using conjunctions to link ideas or concepts

Conjunctions are useful for expressing support and addition to ideas, as well as to demonstrate  contrast and opposition between ideas and concepts. They can help you to reinforce your statements, and assist you in presenting causes, sequences, conditions, results, and conclusions.

With this in mind,  it’s helpful to think of conjunctions as transition words, or words that can link similar or different ideas in your speaking or writing. The use of transition words allows the reader or listener to follow along more easily as you move from one idea to another.

Including the most common French transition words in your speaking and writing is necessary to achieve intermediate level fluency in writing and speaking, and will help you to present your ideas more clearly in written or spoken language. Do you already know some of these important transition words in French?

D’abord is our first French transition word to indicate a sequence . It means first, first off, or to start , so it necessarily indicates whatever happens first in the sequence.

• D’abord je me réveille. Puis  je me lève. – First  I wake up. Then  I get up.

Ensuite, Puis

The words ensuite and  puis are used to introduce what happens next in a sequence of events, in a similar way to the words next or then. For the most part, they can be used interchangeably.

• Je me réveille, puis  je m’habille. – I wake up,  then  I get dressed.
• Elles se réveillent. Ensuite , elles se brossent les dents. – They wake up. Next , they brush their teeth.

Finally, In the end

Enfin is the good transition word when you want to note the final action in a sequence or a story, or to make a final point in an essay. Finally , in this example, we’ll use all four of the sequence words we’ve introduced so far in this section.

• D’abord, je me réveille. Ensuite , je mange le petit déj. Puis , je me lave. Enfin , je pars à l’école. – First off , I wake up. Next , I eat breakfast. Then , I wash. Finally,  I leave for school.

Cependant, Toutefois

However, Nonetheless

We use cependant or toutefois to express a contrary idea or an exception, or to move our writing in a different direction.

• Je n’aime pas la musique classique. Toutefois , j’adore la musique jazz. – I don’t like classical music. However , I adore jazz music.
• Elle n’a rien étudié cette semaine. Cependant , elle vient de réussir l’examen. – She didn’t study anything this week. Nonetheless , she just aced the exam.

En plus, En outre

In addition, Moreover, Furthermore, What’s more

You can use the French transition words en plus or en outre to add support to previous ideas or add more information.

• Le prix n’est pas bon. En plus , le produit n’est pas de bonne qualité. – The price is not good. In addition , the product is not of good quality.
• Il m’a invité au resto puis au cinéma. En outre , il m’a donné des fleurs. – He took me out to dinner and then to the movies. What’s more , he gave me flowers.

Conclusion: French conjunctions

Thanks for taking a look at some of these top French conjunctions and beginning to explore the wide world of French transition words. In this post we’ve covered the most common, useful transition words, though there are plenty more that you’ll continue to learn as you improve in the language.

We started off with the most common conjunctions that you’re likely already familiar with: et, ou, and mais. Then we got into the French coordinating conjunctions, which allow us to connect clauses of similar importance. In the next section we introduced a bunch of subordinating conjunctions, which we use when the following phrase is dependent on the first. Finally, we gave a nice list of additional French transition words for listing sequences.

Adding these French words to your vocabulary is an excellent way to improve your writing and speaking abilities. Try to include some of them in your next written or spoken assignment, and your professeur will be impressed!

Exercise: French conjunctions

We’ll leave you with a short text where we’ve included a lot of the French conjunctions you’ve just learned. Try to identify all the French transition words used in the passage before reading the English version below.

Bonjour, je m’appelle Pauline. J’aime parler français et  jouer de la guitare. Je me réveille à sept heures, ou  à sept heures et quart au plus tard. Je suis grande, mais  mon frère est petit. Je n’ai pas de bicyclette, donc je prends le bus pour aller à l’école. Je ne mange pas de petit déj car normalement je n’ai pas faim. Je ne mange ni bacon ni  oeufs, quoique  mon père en prépare. Si  le bus arrive à l’heure, moi et mon frère arrivons à l’école à huit heures. D’abord, j’ai mon cours de mathématiques. Monsieur LeBlanc est un professeur que j’aime beaucoup. Ensuite, j’ai mon cours d’anglais. Puis , c’est la biologie avec mon amie, Isabelle. Isabelle est une amie que  j’adore!  Enfin, le cours de musique est à quinze heures. J’aime le cours de musique, toutefois , je ne joue pas très bien la trompette.   En plus, je suis fatiguée à la fin de la journée. Je n’ai donc  pas trop d’énergie durant le cours de musique.

Hello, my name is Pauline. I like speaking French and  playing the guitar. I wake up at seven o’clock, or  at quarter past seven at the latest. I’m tall, but  my brother is short. I don’t have a bicycle, so  I take the bus to go to school. I don’t eat breakfast because  normally I’m not hungry. I eat neither  bacon nor  eggs, even though  my dad prepares them. If  the bus arrives on time, my brother and I arrive at school at eight o’clock. First off , I have my math class. Mr. LeBlanc is a teacher that  I like a lot. Next , I have my English class. After that , it’s biology with my friend Isabelle. Isabelle is a friend that  I adore! Finally , music class is at three in the afternoon. I love the music class, however  I don’t play the trumpet very well. Furthermore , I’m tired at the end of the day. I therefore  don’t have much energy during the music class.

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Connectives

Connecteurs logiques

French connectives are links: they combine words, phrases, or sentences. Connectives do not constitute a single part of speech, but rather a category of terms including all conjunctions and prepositions as well as certain types of adverbs and pronouns used in this way.

Conjunctions

All conjunctions – both coordinating and subordinating – are, by definition, connectives.

• Prepositions

All prepositions and prepositional phrases are connectives.

Relative Pronouns

Relative pronouns are connectives between main and relative clauses .

Many adverbs of frequency , place , and time are connectives.

Types of Connectives

Rather than being sorted by grammatical function as above, connectives are typically grouped by how they are used, what purpose they serve.

 Related lessons

• Contractions
• Definite articles
• Past participles
• Present participles
• Subjunctive

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More Lawless French Support Lawless French If you love it, please consider making a one-time or monthly donation . Your support is entirely optional but tremendously appreciated. Leave a Reply Cancel reply You must be logged in to post a comment. Subscribe to the free Lawless French newsletter Get new lessons and features in your inbox 2x per week Grammar, vocab, pronunciation lessons Expression of the week Quizzes and exercises Listening and reading comprehension Cultural content Occasional product reviews + offers Lawless French is a free website . Please disable your ad-blocker donate to support my work . Donate US$5 / month to unlock le Mot du jour . Love Learning Languages Resources and Lessons for French Learners and Teachers Advanced French Connecting Words As you become a more advanced learner of French you will find yourself needing connecting words or linking words to help make your point and seamlessly transition from one sentence to another.  These French connecting words will enrich your vocabulary,  speaking, and writing skills. ​ SINON – otherwise Fais tes devoirs, sinon tu vas rater ton examen. Do your homework, otherwise you are going to fail your exam. EN REVANCHE – on the other hand; then again Je ne sais pas parler chinois.  En revanche, je parle couramment le français! I don’t know how to speak Chinese.  On the other hand, I speak French fluently! PAR CONTRE – on the other hand; however Tu n’aimes pas les champignons.  Moi, par contre, je les adore. You don’t like mushrooms.  I, however, love them. DE TOUTE FAÇON – anyway; anyhow De toute façon, on se verra ce week-end. Anyway, we’ll see each other this weekend. D’AILLEURS – incidentally; by the way Tu n’as pas fait le dîner.  D’ailleurs, tu n’as même pas fait les courses. You didn’t make dinner.  Incidentally, you didn’t even go grocery shopping. NÉANMOINS – nevertheless Nous n’avons pas envie de déménager.  Néanmoins, il faut le faire. We don’t feel like moving house.  Nevertheless, we have to do it. EN FAIT – in fact; actually En fait, ce que tu dis est faux. Actually, what you’re saying is wrong. AU FAIT – by the way; now that I think about it Au fait, j’aime beaucoup ton parfum. By the way, I really like your perfume. PUISQUE – since; because; as Puisque c’est comme ça, je ne viendrai pas ce soir. Since it’s like that, I won’t come tonight. C’EST-À-DIRE – that is; in other words Je suis professeur de français, c’est-à-dire j’enseigne la langue française. I am a French teacher, in other words I teach the French language. EN EFFET – indeed En effet, je voudrais bien y aller avec toi. Indeed, I would like to go (there) with you. JUSTEMENT – exactly; precisely; actually; as it happens C’est justement ce que je te disais. That’s precisely what I was telling you. ACTUELLEMENT – currently; at the moment Actuellement je travaille pour mon père. At the moment I’m working for my father. À LA FOIS – at the same time; at once Je fais à la fois une soupe aux poireaux et du pain. I’m making leek soup and bread at the same time. SUBITEMENT – suddenly; abruptly Mon oncle est décédé subitement l’année dernière. My uncle died suddenly last year. FINALEMENT – after all; in the end; at the end of the day Finalement, j’ai décidé de croire son histoire. In the end, I decided to believe his story. POURTANT – yet; however On nous a servi du champagne, et pourtant nous n’avions pas prévu de rester. They served us champagne yet we had not planned on staying. ENFIN – finally; at long last Enfin ils se sont mariés. They finally got married. EN PLUS – then; on top of that On a très bien mangé dans ce restaurant, et en plus le propriétaire est très aimable. We ate very well at this restaurant, and on top of that the owner is very friendly. Level B2: French Connecting Words As you become a more advanced learner of French you will find yourself needing  connecting words  or  linking words  to help make your point and seamlessly transition from one sentence to another. These French connecting words will enrich your vocabulary, speaking, and writing skills. ➯ STEP 1:  Lesson guide – Download your list of 20 French connecting words. See the words in French with English translations, then read the example sentences for each word also in French with English translations. ➯ STEP 2:   Download and complete five exercises in short paragraph form. Fill in the blanks with connecting words that are provided in a word bank. For each exercise, don’t use any word more than once. Answer keys are provided.  Discover more from Love Learning Languages Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive. Type your email… Continue reading French Conjunctions Chart: Guide to French Conjunctions Do you know what a conjunction is? Many people don’t, even though they use them every day, hundreds of times a day! Stick around to see our French conjunctions charts and more information on important French conjunctions. Languages are all about connecting people, allowing them to understand each other and bond over a friendly conversation. Similarly, conjunctions connect words together, allowing them to make sense and become more than the sum of their parts. French connecting words—also called conjunction words—are an important part of the language. You could learn as many vocabulary lists as you can possibly remember, but if you don’t know how to connect them with the right linking words, you’ll quickly feel limited in what you can express. Is that enough to convince you it’s time to learn French conjunctions? In this article, you’ll learn the most common French conjunctions and how to use them, with real-life examples. We’ll look at how to list things, how to express conditions and consequences, and much more. Oh, and we’ll also talk about food and love along the way! Table of Contents What are French Conjunctions? Common French Conjunctions for Listing Things Setting Conditions with Basic French Conjunctions Useful French Conjunctions for Expressing Causality Objection, Your Honor! What is Your Purpose? Conjunctive What Now? How Frenchpod101 Can Help You Learn More French 1. What are French Conjunctions? Conjunctions act as links between similar words or groups of words. They can convey various meanings and perform an array of actions, from listing things to expressing conditions or causality. If words were bricks, conjunctions would be the cement holding them together. If they were lasagnas, conjunctions would be the melty layer of cheese binding everything together. I’m sure you get the idea. Now, I could bore you with the technicalities of French coordinating conjunctions, French subordinating conjunctions, and even French conjunctive phrases, but it wouldn’t help you remember any of them. And knowing the categories or their grammatical origin doesn’t bring much to the table. So why don’t we jump right in? Here’s our list of common French conjunctions and some examples of French sentences with conjunctions. 2. Common French Conjunctions for Listing Things Let’s talk about food, and how to list food. These conjunctions can be used to list anything, from dates to people, locations, and ideas, but we’ll stick to edible goodies for now. 🙂 Des fruits et des légumes “Fruits and vegetables” Du pain, du vin et du fromage “Bread, wine, and cheese” Fromage ou dessert ? “Cheese or dessert?” Des pâtes, du riz ou des frites ? “Pasta, rice, or French fries?” Il ne mange ni viande ni poisson. “He eats neither meat nor fish.” The ni __ ni __ structure is a sort of “neither __ nor __,” but can often be translated with a simple “or,” such as: “He doesn’t eat meat or fish.” You can use ni anytime you want to say “no” to several listed elements. And I say several, because it can be extended to more than just two: Il ne mange ni viande ni poisson, ni oeufs, ni fromage. “He doesn’t eat meat, fish, eggs, or cheese.” Another useful expression with ni is ni l’un ni l’autre , which translates to “neither one, nor the other.” It’s a perfect pick when you want to deny two things without repeating them: – Tu préfères la viande ou le poisson ? “Do you prefer meat or fish?” – Ni l’un ni l’autre. “Neither.” Avoir l’embarras du choix (“To be spoilt for choice”) soit (either.. or) Je prépare soit du thé, soit du café. “I’ll make either tea or coffee.” Soit des pommes, soit des poires, soit des bananes. “Either apples, or pears, or bananas.” Soit is the jealous version of ou that makes you choose exclusively. You won’t get any more than one of the items listed, so choose carefully! Also keep in mind that the word soit can have a different meaning: “very well.” For instance: Donc, tu préfères du café ? Soit. “So, you prefer the coffee? Very well.” Don’t worry, though, with the context, there’s little to no chance that you could get them mixed up.            → To learn more appetizing words and how to pronounce them, make sure to check out our free vocabulary list on Food Utensils and Tableware on FrenchPod101 . 3. Setting Conditions with Basic French Conjunctions “If,” “then,” and “else” are the bread-and-butter of every programmer, but are also involved in countless situations in our daily lives. They are among the most important conjunctions and, luckily, they behave similarly in French and English. S’il n’y a plus de café, je prendrai du thé. “If there is no more coffee, I will have tea.” Je ne sais pas si je dois acheter du café ou si nous en avons assez. “I don’t know if I should buy coffee or if we have enough.” alors (then; so) Si tu ne bois rien d’autre, alors essaye au moins le vin. “If you don’t drink anything else, then at least try the wine.” Whereas si works just like”if,” alors is a mixed bag and can translate to “then” or “so.” You can use it like “then,” but it gets a bit too formal for conversational style: Il y aura alors évidemment un dessert. “Then, obviously, there will be a dessert!” Vous oublierez alors tous vos soucis. “You will then forget all your worries.” Many times, alors can be translated as “so,” and tends to express consequence: Je n’ai pas bu, alors je rentre en voiture. “I haven’t drunk, so I’m driving back home.” Then, you have the cases of alors at the beginning or the end of a sentence: Alors, comment tu trouves le vin ? “So, how do you like the wine?” Tu reprendras bien un verre, alors ! “You will have another round, then!” sinon (otherwise; literally “if not” when translated) Reprends un café, sinon tu vas t’endormir avant la fin. “Take another coffee, otherwise you will fall asleep before the end.” Je ne bois pas de vin, sinon je rentre à pied. “I don’t drink wine, otherwise, I’m walking back home.” → Get a good boost of energy with our vocabulary list on Coffee . It has plenty of phrases and recordings to practice your pronunciation! Un dernier pour la route ! (“One for the road!”) 4. Useful French Conjunctions for Expressing Causality “Shallow men believe in luck or in circumstance. Strong men believe in cause and effect.” ― Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882) Just like conjunctions tie words together, causality is what ties the world together: actions causing reactions, and causes having consequences, in an endless domino effect . But before we collapse under the weight of these philosophical considerations, let’s keep it light and talk about our lame excuses for not doing sports! car (because) [Formal] Je ne peux pas courir car j’ai mal aux pieds. “I cannot run because my feet hurt.” parce que (because) [Less formal than car ] Je ne vais pas à la gym parce qu’il fait trop chaud. “I’m not going to the gym because it’s too hot.” puisque (since; as) Puisque c’est un jour férié, le stade est sûrement fermé. “Since it’s a holiday, the stadium is probably closed.” comme (as; since) Comme je suis fatigué, je suis resté à la maison. “As I’m feeling tired, I have stayed home.” quand (when) Quand j’ai trop mangé, je ne peux faire de l’escalade. “When I have overeaten, I cannot go climbing.” lorsque (when) Lorsqu’il pleut, je ne vais pas m’entraîner. “When it is raining, I’m not going to training.” Une réaction en chaîne (“A chain reaction”) donc (so; therefore) J’avais mal aux pieds, donc je suis resté chez moi. “My feet were hurting, so I stayed home.” alors (so; therefore) Il pleuvait, alors j’ai eu la flemme. “It was raining, so I got lazy.” du coup (so; therefore) J’étais épuisé, du coup j’ai fait la sieste. “I was exhausted, so I took a nap.” Keep in mind that you’ll usually have to choose whether you use a conjunction for the cause or the consequence, not both. For example—back to philosophy—in the famous quote from René Descartes (or Gomez Pereira, depending on who you ask): Je pense, donc je suis. (I think, therefore I am.) You wouldn’t say “Because I think, therefore I am.” The same goes for French. In this sentence, you have two possible slots for a conjunction: 1 je pense, 2 je suis. And you can fill soit 1, soit 2 (either 1 or 2). Therefore, you could rephrase this famous quote like this: Puisque je pense, je suis. “Because I think, I am.” Comme je pense, je suis. “As I think, I am.” Parce que je pense, je suis. “Since I think, I am.” Or like this: Je pense, alors je suis. “I think, then I am.” Je pense, du coup je suis. “I think, so I am.” If Descartes could read that last one, he would be spinning in his grave. Or even put it upside down: Je suis car je pense. “I am because I think.” Je suis parce que je pense. “I am because I think.” A.I.s think. Therefore, are they? 5. Objection, Your Honor! Next stop: how to use French conjunctions to attach two conflicting ideas by expressing an opposition or objection. J’ai un faible pour Leah mais elle est fiancée. “I have a thing for Leah but she’s engaged.” Il travaille lentement mais sûrement. “He’s working slowly but steadily.” The next two words, cependant and or , are best used in professional and formal speech or you may sound too stiff. I, for one, never use them in conversations, but only for formal writing. cependant (however) [Formal] Je voudrais cependant lui parler. “However, I would like to talk to her.” or (now; but; however) [Formal] This one can be used in two distinct ways: 1- or can introduce new information that will change the situation and have consequences, whether they are directly mentioned or not. For instance: Elle partit seule dans les bois. Or, le loup y rôdait. “She went alone through the woods. However, the wolf was lurking around.” This new information about the wolf is important for what comes next in the story. 2- or can also introduce a new piece of information into reasoning and allow a conclusion to be drawn. For example: La victime a été étranglée. Or, notre principal suspect est manchot. Donc, il ne peut pas être l’assassin. “The victim was strangled. However, our prime suspect is a one-handed man. Therefore, he cannot be the killer.” Objection ! (“Objection!”) 6. What is Your Purpose? pour (for; to; so that) Je m’entraîne pour devenir plus fort. “I train to grow stronger.” C’est bon pour ta santé. “It is good for your health.” Un pour toi et un pour moi. “One for you and one for me.” Parle plus fort pour que je t’entende. “Speak louder so that I can hear you.” par (by; out of; with; using) Je te prends par la main. “I take you by the hand.” Les fruits sont mangés par des vers. “The fruits are eaten by worms.” Il a fait un choix par colère. “He made a choice out of anger.” La réunion commence par un discours. “The meeting starts with a speech.” 7. Conjunctive What Now? We’re almost done with our French conjunctions list, but before we can wrap it up, I need to tell you about “that.” Indeed, the French conjunction que (that) is so ubiquitous that I can’t stress enough how useful and important it is! First, let’s have a look at its raw form, and then you’ll see how it combines with nearly half of the words from the French dictionary to create as many expressions. It’s quite similar to how phrasal verbs operate in English, but much simpler. Tu penses qu’il va pleuvoir? “Do you think that it will rain?” Je sais que tu es là. “I know that you are here.” /!\ In English, you could omit “that” and say “Do you think it will rain?” or “I know you are here.” However, in French, you can never leave it out. The sentences above without que would not be grammatically correct. You’ll also use que to compare two things. For example: Je bois plus de bière que d’eau. “I drink more beer than water.” La bière n’est pas aussi chère que le vin. “Beer is not as expensive as wine.” If you’re doubling up on conditions, you have to use que before the second condition: Comme je suis fatigué et que j’ai mal aux pieds, je ne vais pas à la gym ce soir. “Since I’m tired and my feet hurt, I’m not going to the gym tonight.” And if you’re not convinced yet, here’s a short list of the most common expressions including que . I can’t list them all here, but believe me, there are many. Let’s talk about love, for a change! Give some love to your French grammar book! French conjunctions chart about love: “As soon as” “As soon as I met you, I fell in love.” “Since” “Since I’ve known you, I’m not the same man.” “Until” “Until death do us part.” “So that” “She works hard so that he doesn’t lack anything.” “So that” “I would do anything so that you love me.” “Seeing that” “Since” “As” “As they live together, they have grown very close.” “As long as” “So much as” “I will love you as long as I live.” “While” “Whereas” “Whereas I’m exhausted, I cannot sleep.” “Unless” “Leave her, unless you still love her.” “Although” “He broke my heart, although this is not the first time.”            → Warm the romantic cockles of your heart with our free vocabulary list on Love ! You’ll find many great quotes in French with audio recordings. 8. How Frenchpod101 Can Help You Learn More French In this guide, you’ve learned everything about French conjunctions, from how to list things to causality, conditions, and objection. You should have a much better idea now of French conjunctions and their meanings, as well as how to use a conjunction in French. Did I forget any important linking words that you know? Do you feel ready to give more meaning to your words and bond with your French friends? A good French conjunctions practice is to make phrases of your own, using each of them. Don’t hesitate to warm up with easy sentences and gradually add more complexity: Lorsque (when) Lorsque je te vois (when I see you) Lorsque je te vois, mon coeur s’emballe. (When I see you, my heart is racing.) If you take it easy and go at your own pace, you’ll get used to conjunctions and it will open a whole new world of meaningful sentences. FrenchPod101 also has tons of vocabulary lists with audio recordings and free resources to boost your studies and keep your French learning fresh and entertaining! Remember that you can also use our premium service, MyTeacher , to get personal one-on-one coaching. You can practice conjunctions, and more, with your private teacher , using assignments, personalized exercises, and recorded audio samples to help improve your pronunciation. Happy learning on FrenchPod101 ! About the Author: Born and bred in the rainy north of France, Cyril Danon has been bouncing off various jobs before he left everything behind to wander around the wonders of the World. Now, after quenching his wanderlust for the last few years, he’s eager to share his passion for languages. Or sign up using Facebook Got an account? Sign in here How To Say ‘Thank you’ in French How to Say “Hello” in French: Break the Ice Like a Pro! How to Say I Love You in French – Romantic Word List The French National Anthem: La Marseillaise 60 Classroom Phrases for Studying or Teaching in France The Only Guide to French Restaurant Phrases You’ll Ever Need How to celebrate april fools’ day in french. Forum Spotlight French Bazaar!! French Holidays French Language French Translation Scheduled Maintenance Guest Bloggers Advanced French French Grammar French Phrases French Podcasts French Words Tips & Techniques Media Coverage Feature Spotlight Success Stories Teaching French Team FrenchPod101 Twitter Lessons Uncategorized Word of the Day Immigration, Visas Copyright © 2024 Innovative Language Learning. All rights reserved. FrenchPod101.com Privacy Policy | Terms of Use . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Published on October 6th, 2023 | by Adrian Lomezzo How to Write an Essay in French Without Giving Yourself Away as a Foreigner Image source: https://www.pexels.com/photo/close-up-shot-of-a-quote-on-a-paper-5425603/ Bienvenue! Do you dream of unleashing your inner French literary genius, but worry that your writing might inadvertently reveal your foreign roots? Fret not, mes amis, as we have the ultimate guide to help you master the art of essay writing en Français! Within these pages, we’ll navigate the intricate waters of linguistic nuances, cultural subtleties, and grammatical finesse, allowing you to exude the aura of a native French speaker effortlessly. Many students like you have embarked on this journey, seeking academic assistance from platforms like  https://paperwritten.com/  to conquer their writing pursuits. From crafting a compelling introduction to fashioning impeccable conclusions, we’ll unveil the secrets that will leave your professors applauding your newfound linguistic prowess. So, bid adieu to those awkward linguistic giveaways and embrace the sheer elegance of French expression – all while keeping your foreign identity beautifully concealed! Let’s embark on this adventure together and unlock the true essence of writing like a native French virtuoso. 1.   Mastering French Grammar and Vocabulary: Building a Strong Foundation To create a compelling French essay, it’s essential to lay a solid groundwork. Ensure that your French grammar is accurate and that you possess a rich vocabulary. Avoid relying on online translators, as they may yield awkward or incorrect sentences. Instead, embrace reputable dictionaries and language resources to enhance your language skills effectively. 2.   Mimic Sentence Structures: The Art of Authentic Expression To truly immerse yourself in the French language, observe and mimic the sentence structures used by native speakers. Analyzing essays written by experienced writers can prove invaluable in grasping the authentic style required to compose a captivating essay. 3.   Use Transition Words: Crafting a Smooth Flow of Ideas In French essays, the use of transition words and phrases plays a pivotal role in connecting ideas seamlessly. Incorporate expressions like “de plus,” “en outre,” “en conclusion,” “tout d’abord,” and “par conséquent” to add coherence and elegance to your writing. 4.   Embrace French Idioms and Expressions: Unveiling Cultural Fluency Demonstrate a deeper understanding of the French language and culture by incorporating idioms and expressions where appropriate. However, remember to use them sparingly to avoid overwhelming your essay. 5.   Pay Attention to Formality: Striking the Right Tone Tailor the formality of your writing to suit the context of your essay. Whether you are crafting an academic piece or a more personal creation, be mindful of your choice of vocabulary and sentence structures to match the required tone. 6.   Research Cultural References: The Power of In-depth Knowledge If your essay touches upon French culture, history, or literature, extensive research is key. Delve into your subjects to avoid mistakes and showcase your genuine interest in the matter at hand. 7.   Avoid Direct Translations: Let French Be French To avoid awkward phrasing, strive to think in French rather than translating directly from your native language. This will lead to a more natural and eloquent essay. 8.   Practice Writing Regularly: The Path to Proficiency Mastering the art of French writing requires regular practice. Embrace writing in French frequently to grow more comfortable with the language and refine your unique writing style. 9.   Read French Literature: A Gateway to Inspiration Explore the world of French literature to expose yourself to diverse writing styles. This practice will deepen your understanding of the language and immerse you further in French culture and history. 10.   Connect with French Culture: Bridges of Cultural Resonance Incorporate cultural references that resonate with French readers, such as art, cuisine, festivals, historical figures, or social customs. Authenticity is key, so avoid relying on stereotypes. 11.   Use a French Thesaurus: Expanding Your Linguistic Palette Discovering new contextually appropriate words can elevate your writing. Embrace a French thesaurus to find synonyms that may not be apparent through direct translations. 12.   Master French Punctuation: The Finishing Touch Take care to use correct French punctuation marks, such as guillemets (« ») for quotes and proper accent marks. These subtle details add a professional touch to your essay. 13.   Practice French Rhetorical Devices: Crafting Eloquent Prose Experiment with rhetorical devices like parallelism, repetition, and antithesis to lend depth and sophistication to your writing. 14.   Pay Attention to Word Order: Unlocking French Sentence Structure French boasts a unique sentence structure distinct from English. Dive into the intricacies of subject-verb-object order and grasp the art of organizing sentences to sidestep common foreign mistakes. Embracing this essential aspect will elevate your writing to a truly native level. 15.   Use French Idiomatic Expressions: Infuse Cultural Flair Enrich your prose with the colorful tapestry of French idioms, reflecting the vibrant essence of the culture. Yet, a word of caution – wield them with finesse, for the strategic placement of an idiom can imbue your essay with unparalleled flair and authenticity. 16.   Master Pronouns and Agreement: The Dance of Language The dance of pronouns, nouns, and adjectives requires your keen attention. Like a skilled performer, ensure their seamless alignment to avoid inadvertently revealing your non-native status. Mastering this harmony is key to writing like a true Francophone. 17.   Understand Subtle Connotations: Unveiling Linguistic Shades Delve into the labyrinth of French words, where subtle connotations diverge from their English counterparts. Familiarize yourself with these delicate nuances, for it is in their mastery that your writing shall find refinement. 18.   Study Formal and Informal Registers: Tailoring Language to Purpose Akin to selecting the perfect outfit for each occasion, comprehend the art of using formal and informal language. Consider your essay’s purpose and audience, and with this knowledge, enhance your authenticity, seamlessly aligning with the appropriate linguistic register. 19.   Practice Dialogue Writing: Conversing with Eloquence Embark on the journey of dialogue writing to enrich your linguistic repertoire. As you hone your conversational skills, watch as authenticity gracefully weaves itself into your written work, enchanting readers with its charm. 20.   Seek Feedback: A Second Set of Eyes To refine your essay further, seek the guidance of a native French speaker or language tutor from the  best cheap essay writing services . Their valuable feedback can uncover any language or cultural mistakes you may have made, allowing you to make necessary improvements. Equip yourself with these priceless tips and set forth on your quest to master the art of French writing. Embrace the language’s allure, immerse in its rich culture, and watch your words flow with grace and poise. À la plume! Let the pen become your ally in crafting captivating prose that echoes with authenticity and charm.  Header Photo Credit by George Milton: https://www.pexels.com/photo/smiling-woman-in-eyeglasses-with-books-7034478/ About the Author Adrian Lomezzo is a content writer and likes to write about technology and education. He understands the concern of parents due to the evolving technology and researches deeply in that area. When he is not researching, he buries himself in books along with his favorite cup of hot chocolate. Related Posts Veronique Gallo On Tour With Her Latest Show “Femme De Vie” In California → Beyond Shakespeare: Expanding Horizons with London’s Diverse Theatre Scene → Three French authors from San Diego present their new books  → Martine Couralet-Laing reveals behind the scenes of the city of angels in DreamLAnd → Leave a comment cancel reply. Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked * Welcome to French Quarter Magazine (FQM) – your passport to a journey through France, the United States and beyond! French Quarter Magazine is a dynamic bilingual publication, based in Las Vegas, that celebrates the finest in art, culture, entertainment, lifestyle, fashion, food, travel, sports and history. Whether you're longing for a taste of Parisian elegance or the vibrancy of American culture, we've got you covered. 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Ces termes sont souvent utilis�s � l'�crit, mais ils peuvent aussi servir � l'oral. - premi�rement / d'abord / tout d'abord / en premier lieu - en outre / de plus / par ailleurs / ensuite / d'une part... d'autre part / en second lieu... - �galement / de m�me / ainsi que / encore / aussi - enfin / en dernier lieu / en somme   - c'est-�-dire / en d'autres termes / car / c'est que - ainsi / par exemple / notamment / comme / en particulier - en effet / du fait de - or - d'ailleurs / et puis / certes / bien que - mais / en revanche / alors que / tandis que / au contraire / et non / bien que - en r�alit� / en v�rit� / en fait - cependant / n�anmoins / pourtant / toutefois - voire / m�me / du moins / tout au moins / � tout le moins car / parce que / puisque / sous pr�texte que / soit que... soit que... / non que (+ subjonctif)...  mais parce que / par peur de / faute de / gr�ce � donc / de sorte que / de fa�on que / tellement que / au point de / de mani�re � / ainsi / en effet / par cons�quent / alors alors que / sauf que / mais / m�me si (+ indicatif) / quand bien m�me (+ conditionnel) / en revanche / au contraire / par contre comme / autrement que / comme si / aussi... que / moins... que / plus... plus... / ainsi que / de m�me que / contrairement � bien que (+ subjonctif) / toutefois / n�anmoins / cependant si / au cas o� (+ conditionnel ) / � moins que (+ subjonctif) / pourvu que (+ subjonctif) You are using an outdated browser. Upgrade your browser today or install Google Chrome Frame to better experience this site. French » Grammar » Connecting words in French A useful French vocabulary list of connecting words French vocabulary PauseContinue mais but en effet indeed ainsi thus d'abord first puis then ensuite then parce que because puisque since (because) car for (because) enfin finally donc so (therefore) de plus moreover en outre besides de même likewise effectivement indeed néanmoins nevertheless cependant however étant donné given that par conséquent consequently (therefore) du coup as a result Get the Reddit app Here's a list of all french linking words. i wrote 36 anki friendly sentences explaining them. I have updated the graph with the linking words. You now know which one of them require the subjonctif. Also if you want to download the Anki File for this lesson then you can go here and get it. Are you tired of just being able to use the same (boring) linking words such as: et, mais, quand, parce que , and ou ? Well so was I, I wanted to widen my vocabulary and I present you the results. I made this a while ago after receiving this list in my old B2/C1 French class during my studies in Paris. The list provides an overview of all the linking words in French in all of the different categories. I will explain each category and give an example of a new word you can use. The words will then be used in a sentence so you can see it in a proper context. You can then put these sentences in your Anki decks. I will also mention the linking word that would normally be used so you can see the difference. There are 36 sentences in 18 examples, I made all examples myself except one which is from a famous book – let’s see if you can figure out which one it is! The words in this category deal with addition, or summations in sentences. The word that is most often is et . · puis = then · Je vais à Boston et puis à New York. · I am going to Boston and then to New York. 2. Alternative When you are dealing with many choices the words in this category are used. Usually people use ou . · soit ... soit ... = either ... or... · Elle aime soit se reposer, soit se promener. · She likes either relaxing or taking walks. When you are talking about a purpose or a goal the words in this category are used. Often the word pour is used. · afin de = in order to · Je vous écris afin de postuler pour le poste de directeur. · I'm writing in order to apply for the job of director. I changed afin que to afin de so that you don’t need to use the subjunctive. If you are already familiar with the subjunctive then feel free to choose either. If you want to talk about why something happened or what the cause of something was then the words in this category are used. In speaking people often use parce que , and in writing car . · grâce à … (positif) = thanks to … (positive) · Grâce à vous, nous avons réussi! · Thanks to you we made it! · à cause de … (négatif) = due to … (negative) / because of … (negative) · La fête a été annulée à cause de la tempête. · The party was cancelled because of the storm. 5. Concession When talking about a concession the words in this category are used. Generally people use même si . · malgré + nom = despite + noun · Je t'aime malgré le fait que tu aimes la fin de Game of Thrones. · I love you despite the fact that you like the ending of Game of Thrones. 6. Conclusion When you conclude an argument the words in category are useful –especially when you write an essay. · En conclusion , nous devons investir dans l'énergie nucléaire. · In conclusion , we must invest in nuclear energy. 7. Condition You will use conditional phrases often in French. People often go with si , but there are a lot of options available. Please note that you must use the conditional form as is the case here with aurais . · Au cas où + conditionnel = if + conditional · Appelle-moi au cas où tu aurais besoin de conseils. · Call me if you need advice. 8. Conséquence When speaking about consequences these linking words are used. Generally people in France use du coup to talk about consequences. · donc = so · Jean est parti tôt, donc j'ai dû faire la lessive moi-même. · Jean left early, so I had to do the laundry myself. 9. Classification This is useful when you need to write an essay. Generally you will give three arguments for or against something. · premièrement = firstly · Premièrement , nous devons investir dans l'éducation pour améliorer notre pays. · Firstly , we need to invest in education to improve our country. You can use deuxièmment and troisièmement to start your second and third argument. 10. Explication If you wish to clarify something then these linking words are used. · c'est-à-dire = that is to say · Une fête aura lieu vendredi prochain, c'est-à-dire le 19 juin. · A party will be held next Friday, that is to say , on the 19th of June. 11. Illustration If you wish to further illustrate your point, or provide an example then these linking words are used. People often use par example . · notamment = especially · Vincent van Gogh est bien connu, notamment pour son impact sur le post-impressionnisme. · Vincent van Gogh is well known, especially for his impact on post-impressionism. 12. Liaison When you like to connect ideas/arguments with each other these linking words are used. · En effet = As a matter of fact · Je vous écris car j'ai un problème dans l'appartement. En effet , il y a une fuite d'eau. · I'm writing to you because I have a problem in the apartment. As a matter of fact , there is a water leak. 13. Opposition When you want to provide a contrast between two things then these linking words are used. The word mais is used most often for this category. · alors que = whereas · Je suis timide alors que mon frère est extraverti. · I am shy whereas my brother is an extravert. 14. Restriction When speaking about restrictions or exceptions these linking words are used. · cepedant = however/but · Mon Uber a du retard. Cependant , j'y serai assez tôt. · My Uber's running late. However , I'll be there soon enough. When talking about time these linking words are used. The word quand is most used here. · lorsque = when · Lorsque j'avais six ans j'ai vu, une fois, une magnifique image, dans un livre sur la Forêt Vierge qui s'appelait "Histoires Vécues" · When I was six years old I once saw a magnificent picture in a book about the virgin forest called "Stories Lived" That was it, I hope you learned something new. Regarding the other words in the list please don’t think that you need all of them to speak French. It is helpful to widen your vocabulary though therefore I made this. Please use https://www.linguee.fr/ to see the other words in the proper context if you are curious about them. Also I hope you were able to figure out which sentence belonged to a famous book! Please let me know if you have any other questions! Please also check out my website languageatlas.com Here you can find French lessons and Anki Decks from A1 to C1. Recently I put out a French A1 Verbs & A2 Verbs Anki Deck. This may be very useful for you. Don't forget to check those out as well! Frenchlanguagebasics 🇫🇷 Learn French the fast and easy way! Easy French words for beginners: Connecting words Connecting words, also known as conjunctions, are essential in any language, as they help connect words, phrases, or sentences. Here are some English-French vocabulary words to help you use connecting words in your sentences: And → Et But → Mais Or → Ou So → Donc Because → Parce que Therefore → Par conséquent However → Cependant Moreover → De plus Nevertheless → Néanmoins Furthermore → En outre Otherwise → Sinon Instead → Au lieu de cela Despite → Malgré Although → Bien que Whereas → Tandis que Learning these connecting words in French will not only help you connect sentences and phrases but also improve your writing and speaking skills. Leave a Comment Cancel reply Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Privacy Overview Cookie Duration Description cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics 11 months This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 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Share full article Advertisement Thou Shalt Not Post the Ten Commandments in the Classroom By David French Opinion Columnist There is a certain irony in the bravado about the Ten Commandments from Gov. Jeff Landry of Louisiana. On Saturday he told attendees at a Republican fund-raiser, “I can’t wait to be sued.” Clearly, he knows that the Supreme Court previously ruled against mandatory displays of the Ten Commandments in the classroom. In a 1980 case, Stone v. Graham , the Supreme Court struck down a Kentucky law that required the posting of the Ten Commandments, purchased through private donations, in every public school classroom in the state. A Louisiana law requiring the display of the Ten Commandments in every public classroom in the state defies this precedent, so, yes, the state will be sued . But Landry’s comments didn’t stop with bravado. He also said something else. “If you want to respect the rule of law,” he told the guests, “you’ve got to start from the original lawgiver, which was Moses.” To teach respect for the rule of law, he’s defying the Supreme Court? That’s an interesting message to send to students. It’s consistent with an emerging Republican approach to constitutional law. Just as many Republicans view their constituency as composed of the “real” Americans, they tend to believe their interpretation of the Constitution represents the “real” Constitution. So we’re seeing a flurry of culture-war-motivated state laws , many of them aimed at the First Amendment, that confront precedent. The Dobbs decision gave some Republicans hope for radical change, but reversing Roe has not signaled open season on the court’s rulings. Republicans’ challenges to the Voting Rights Act failed , the independent state legislature theory foundered , and efforts to expand the standing doctrine to limit access to the abortion pill faltered. Even so, it’s premature to declare that the Supreme Court is frustrating the MAGA right. Altering constitutional law is not the only motivation here; a version of Christian mysticism is also in play. There is a real belief that the Ten Commandments have a form of spiritual power over the hearts and minds of students and that posting the displays can change their lives. I’m an evangelical Christian who believes in God and the divine inspiration of Scripture, but I do not believe that documents radiate powers of personal virtue. I happened to grow up in Kentucky and went to classes before the Ten Commandments were ordered removed, and I can testify that the displays had no impact on our lives. My classmates and I were not better people because of the faded posters on the walls. David French is an Opinion columnist, writing about law, culture, religion and armed conflict. He is a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom and a former constitutional litigator. His most recent book is “Divided We Fall: America’s Secession Threat and How to Restore Our Nation .” You can follow him on Threads ( @davidfrenchjag ). 317 IMAGES 30 Useful French Essay Phrases and Transition Words in French French Connectives How To Use French Linking Words (39 Examples + Anki File) French: Connecting Words French Linking Words List Pdf Learn French # The connecting words VIDEO Learn question words in French Connecting words in french IELTS Writing : Five Connecting Words For Band 9 Essays 140 French Words You'll Use Every Day Exploring Everyday French Words & Phrases for Connecting and Quantifying Thoughts 740 French Words for Everyday Life COMMENTS 33 Connectors In French For Smooth Speech 33 French Conversational Connectors For Smooth Spoken French. by Olly Richards. As you learn French and begin using longer sentences to express your ideas, you need to know the connectors in French that allow everything to flow together. Connectors will turn disjointed phrases into joined up sentences, making your French sound more smooth ... 30 Useful French Essay Phrases and Transition Words in French Learn 30 useful French essay phrases and transition words to enhance your writing and speaking skills in French. 23 Key French Transition Words Those make for two great transition words when you're writing essays in French or can't decide which type of pie is better. Une tarte aux pommes est classique. Par contre, une tarte aux tomates est bonne pour le petit-déjeuner, le déjeuner et le dîner. (An apple pie is classic. On the other hand, a tomato pie is good for breakfast, lunch ... Common connectors and transitions phrases in French In this lesson, we'll go over some common connectors and transition phrases in French that you can use to improve your communication skills. Premièrement, deuxièmement, enfin. (First, secondly, finally.) These connectors are used to order and sequence ideas in a narrative. De plus, en outre, par ailleurs. French connectors words French connectors words. Using connector words in French is essential for creating cohesion and coherence in your writing and speaking. These words serve as transitions that connect ideas and thoughts, helping to create a more fluid and cohesive communication. Here is an English-French vocabulary list of some common connector words: English ... How To Use French Linking Words (39 Examples + Anki File) I will explain each category and give examples of words you can use. The words will then be used in a sentence so you can see it in a proper context. Furthermore, I put all of them in an Anki File called "how to use French linking words" which you can download and add to you collection. Also, at the end you will find a graph which contains ... 29 Essential French Logical Connectors Whether you need to express cause and effect, contrast ideas, summarize points or provide examples, this article will explain the most common and useful French connecting words and phrases. 1. Mais (but) 2. Car/Parce que (because) 3. Donc (so/therefore) 4. Or (now/yet) Make Your French Fluent with These Transition Words In many languages, connecting words are also necessary for connecting different sentences in a paragraph, or paragraphs in larger pieces of writing like essays or other academic papers. In this article, let's discuss the various types of transition words available in the French language, and how they can be used to make your French - both ... 40+ French Transition Words to Boost Your Vocabulary Considérons. Another helpful transition word for polite conversations is considérons. This means let's consider and is used at the beginning of a phrase that expresses an alternate point of view. It is an important word for engaging in deeper dialogue that proposes multiple points of view. French Connecting Words List quand même. d'un côté…, de l'autre…. ça prouve que. ça confirme que. en fin de compte. après réflexion. I hope you enjoyed the list! Remember to sprinkle these words in when you need them. The list allows you to do things, such as oppose a viewpoint, without having to use the same connecting word over and over again. French Conjunctions: Essential Linking Words French Conjunctions: Essential Linking Words. Celine Segueg. Conjunctions are useful, high-frequency words that can be used to link two clauses together. They can be used to make lists, give options, or express contrary ideas. Conjunctions are used just as frequently in French as they are in English. Learning the most commonly-used French ... French Transition Words & Phrases Transition words in French, also called conjunctive adverbs, are words and phrases that connect ideas, sentences, and phrases in speech or writing. There are English transition words as well ... French Connectives Connectives are links: they combine words, phrases, or sentences. Connectives do not constitute a single part of speech, but rather a category of terms including all conjunctions and prepositions as well as certain types of adverbs and pronouns used in this way. - Lawless French Advanced French Connecting Words These French connecting words will enrich your vocabulary, speaking, and writing skills. STEP 1: Lesson guide - Download your list of 20 French connecting words. See the words in French with English translations, then read the example sentences for each word also in French with English translations. STEP 2: Download and complete five ... French Conjunctions & Audio Pronunciation Recordings 7 French Conjunctions. Examples of conjunctions in French are "mais, ou, donc, or, ni, car". Mais - but. Ou - or (ou without accent not to be mistaken with où: where which is used in the sentence…) Et - and. Donc - so. Or - yet (as in a comment, "yet I don't know where he leaves") Ni - nor. Car - because. French Conjunctions: List of French Linking Words Let's talk about food, and how to list food. These conjunctions can be used to list anything, from dates to people, locations, and ideas, but we'll stick to edible goodies for now. et (and) Des fruits et des légumes. "Fruits and vegetables". Du pain, du vin et du fromage. "Bread, wine, and cheese". ou (or) How to Write an Essay in French Without Giving Yourself Away as a Analyzing essays written by experienced writers can prove invaluable in grasping the authentic style required to compose a captivating essay. 3. Use Transition Words: Crafting a Smooth Flow of Ideas. In French essays, the use of transition words and phrases plays a pivotal role in connecting ideas seamlessly. Connectors of sentences-French Connectors of sentences. Cette fiche a pour but de vous aider à rédiger un texte argumentatif grâce aux connecteurs de phrases. Vous verrez ici les différents termes à utiliser pour présenter des arguments, les expliquer, ou marquer une contradiction. Ces termes sont souvent utilisés à l'écrit, mais ils peuvent aussi servir à l'oral. Here's a List of All French Linking Words. I Wrote 36 Anki ... · I'm writing to you because I have a problem in the apartment. As a matter of fact, there is a water leak. 13. Opposition. When you want to provide a contrast between two things then these linking words are used. The word mais is used most often for this category. · alors que = whereas · Je suis timide alors que mon frère est extraverti. Connecting words in French French grammar from Kwiziq French A useful French vocabulary list of connecting words . Brush up on Connecting words in French with Kwiziq French. How Kwiziq works; French learning library - Grammar lessons ... French writing practice; French fill-in-the-blanks exercises; How it works; FAQ; Testimonials; Pricing; French resource library; Buy gift voucher; Redeem gift voucher; Here's a List of All French Linking Words. I Wrote 36 Anki Friendly The list provides an overview of all the linking words in French in all of the different categories. I will explain each category and give an example of a new word you can use. The words will then be used in a sentence so you can see it in a proper context. ... · I'm writing to you because I have a problem in the apartment. As a matter of fact ... Easy French words for beginners: Connecting words Moreover → De plus. Nevertheless → Néanmoins. Furthermore → En outre. Otherwise → Sinon. Instead → Au lieu de cela. Despite → Malgré. Although → Bien que. Whereas → Tandis que. Learning these connecting words in French will not only help you connect sentences and phrases but also improve your writing and speaking skills. Thou Shalt Not Post the Ten Commandments in the Classroom David French is an Opinion columnist, writing about law, culture, religion and armed conflict. He is a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom and a former constitutional litigator. assignment essay homework paper phd resume speech thesis