French connectors: the 22 that matter for CLB 6

Cause

parce que — because

The everyday because. Answers pourquoi. Used in speech and writing both.

• Je suis fatigué parce que j'ai mal dormi. — I'm tired because I slept badly.
• Elle est en retard parce que le métro est en panne. — She is late because the metro is broken down.
• Nous restons à la maison parce qu'il pleut. — We're staying home because it's raining.

puisque — given that / since (known to both)

Use when the reason is already known or obvious to the listener. More formal than parce que.

• Puisque tu es là, aide-moi. — Since you're here, help me.
• Puisque le magasin est fermé, on revient demain. — Since the store is closed, we'll come back tomorrow.
• Puisqu'il fait beau, sortons. — Since the weather is nice, let's go out.

grâce à — thanks to (positive cause)

Positive causes ONLY — something good happened because of it. Followed by a NOUN, not a clause.

• Grâce à mes cours, je parle mieux français. — Thanks to my classes, I speak French better.
• Grâce au métro, j'arrive toujours à l'heure. — Thanks to the metro, I always arrive on time.
• Elle a trouvé un emploi grâce à son réseau. — She found a job thanks to her network.

à cause de — because of (negative cause)

Negative or neutral causes — problems, delays, bad weather. Followed by a NOUN. The evil twin of grâce à.

• Le vol est annulé à cause de la tempête. — The flight is cancelled because of the storm.
• Je suis en retard à cause du trafic. — I am late because of the traffic.
• À cause des travaux, la rue est fermée. — Because of the construction, the street is closed.

Consequence

donc — so / therefore

Everyday consequence marker. Used constantly in conversation. Works for any cause→effect.

• Il pleut, donc je prends le parapluie. — It's raining, so I'm taking the umbrella.
• Tu es fatiguée, donc repose-toi. — You're tired, so rest.
• Je n'ai pas d'argent, donc je ne peux pas venir. — I don't have money, so I can't come.

par conséquent — consequently / as a result

Formal version of donc. Use in writing and exam speaking when you want to sound CLB 6.

• Le marché a changé. Par conséquent, nous devons adapter notre stratégie. — The market has changed. Consequently, we must adapt our strategy.
• Les vols sont annulés. Par conséquent, nous reportons le voyage. — The flights are cancelled. Consequently, we are postponing the trip.
• Il a réussi son examen. Par conséquent, il est admis à l'université. — He passed his exam. Consequently, he is admitted to the university.

ainsi — thus / in this way

Formal consequence marker. Often shows the resulting STATE or arrangement, not just the next event.

• Il faut bien dormir. Ainsi, on travaille mieux le lendemain. — You have to sleep well. That way, you work better the next day.
• Elle a beaucoup étudié. Ainsi, elle a réussi. — She studied a lot. Thus, she succeeded.
• Nous avons réorganisé les bureaux. Ainsi, l'équipe communique mieux. — We reorganized the offices. As a result, the team communicates better.

Contrast

mais — but

The everyday but. Connects opposing ideas in one sentence. Spoken constantly.

• J'aime le café, mais pas le matin. — I like coffee, but not in the morning.
• Il est intelligent, mais très timide. — He is intelligent, but very shy.
• Je voudrais venir, mais je suis occupé. — I would like to come, but I'm busy.

cependant — however

Formal version of mais. Use at the start of a sentence for a clean break. CLB 6 marker.

• Le projet est ambitieux. Cependant, le budget est limité. — The project is ambitious. However, the budget is limited.
• Elle a beaucoup d'expérience. Cependant, elle manque de leadership. — She has a lot of experience. However, she lacks leadership.
• Le rapport est bien écrit. Cependant, certaines données sont obsolètes. — The report is well written. However, some data is outdated.

toutefois — however / nevertheless

Synonym of cependant. Slightly more formal/written. Use to vary your discourse markers in writing.

• Les résultats sont positifs. Toutefois, nous devons rester prudents. — The results are positive. However, we must remain cautious.
• Il faut agir vite. Toutefois, sans précipitation. — We must act fast. However, without rushing.
• Le plan est solide. Toutefois, plusieurs imprévus sont possibles. — The plan is solid. However, several unexpected events are possible.

pourtant — yet / and yet

Use when something is UNEXPECTED or surprising given the previous fact. Stronger emotional weight than cependant.

• Il a étudié toute la nuit, pourtant il a échoué. — He studied all night, yet he failed.
• Elle est très qualifiée, pourtant elle n'a pas trouvé de travail. — She is very qualified, yet she hasn't found a job.
• Je l'ai prévenu plusieurs fois, pourtant il continue. — I warned him several times, yet he keeps going.

en revanche — on the other hand

Direct counterpoint — A is X, B in contrast is Y. Use when both halves are factual statements.

• Les jeunes utilisent beaucoup TikTok. En revanche, ils délaissent Facebook. — Young people use TikTok a lot. On the other hand, they're leaving Facebook.
• L'été a été chaud. En revanche, l'hiver s'annonce doux. — Summer was hot. On the other hand, winter looks like it'll be mild.
• Le centre-ville est cher. En revanche, les banlieues offrent plus d'espace. — Downtown is expensive. On the other hand, the suburbs offer more space.

alors que — whereas / while

Contrast within ONE sentence (both halves attached). Often used to highlight inequality or simultaneity.

• Il dort huit heures par nuit, alors que moi je dors cinq. — He sleeps eight hours a night, whereas I sleep five.
• Mon frère adore le sport, alors que je préfère la lecture. — My brother loves sports, whereas I prefer reading.
• Les uns travaillent beaucoup, alors que d'autres profitent. — Some work a lot, whereas others enjoy themselves.

tandis que — while / whereas (formal)

Formal synonym of alors que. Slightly more written. Often used in essays and reports.

• Les anciens travaillaient en usine, tandis que les jeunes préfèrent les bureaux. — Older people used to work in factories, whereas young people prefer offices.
• Les uns économisent, tandis que d'autres dépensent. — Some save, whereas others spend.
• Elle écoute, tandis qu'il n'arrête pas de parler. — She listens, whereas he doesn't stop talking.

quand même — still / anyway / all the same

Spoken French's favourite concession: despite the obstacle, the thing happens anyway. Usually placed AFTER the verb.

• Il pleuvait, mais on est sortis quand même. — It was raining, but we went out anyway.
• C'est cher, mais je vais le prendre quand même. — It's expensive, but I'll take it anyway.
• Je suis fatigué, mais je vais quand même finir le travail. — I'm tired, but I'll still finish the work.

Addition

d'ailleurs — moreover / besides (which)

Adds a supporting point that reinforces what you just said. Has a slight 'and now that I think about it' feel.

• Ce livre est excellent. D'ailleurs, il a gagné un prix. — This book is excellent. In fact, it won an award.
• Il connaît bien la région. D'ailleurs, il y est né. — He knows the region well. In fact, he was born there.
• Le projet avance bien. D'ailleurs, nous avons reçu un nouveau client. — The project is going well. In fact, we got a new client.

de plus — in addition / furthermore

Stacks a second argument on top of the first. More formal than 'aussi' — perfect for TCF writing and the opinion monologue.

• Le vélo est économique. De plus, il est bon pour la santé. — Cycling is economical. In addition, it is good for your health.
• Cet appartement est bien situé. De plus, le loyer est raisonnable. — This apartment is well located. Furthermore, the rent is reasonable.
• Le télétravail fait gagner du temps. De plus, il réduit le stress. — Remote work saves time. In addition, it reduces stress.

Reinforcement

en effet — indeed

Confirms or backs up what was just said with EVIDENCE or explanation. Different from 'pourtant' — same direction, not opposing.

• Le climat change rapidement. En effet, les températures battent des records chaque année. — The climate is changing fast. Indeed, temperatures are breaking records every year.
• Cette région est dangereuse. En effet, plusieurs accidents y sont arrivés. — This region is dangerous. Indeed, several accidents have happened there.
• Il est très compétent. En effet, il a quinze ans d'expérience. — He is very competent. Indeed, he has fifteen years of experience.

Sequence

d'abord — first / first of all

Opens a list of steps or arguments. THE way to start a structured answer in the TCF speaking tasks: d'abord… ensuite… enfin.

• D'abord, je vais présenter le problème. — First, I will present the problem.
• D'abord, faites bouillir l'eau. — First, boil the water.
• D'abord, il faut remplir le formulaire en ligne. — First, you have to fill out the form online.

ensuite — then / next

The middle step. Chains actions or arguments after d'abord. Interchangeable with 'puis' in most contexts.

• Ensuite, ajoutez le sel et le poivre. — Next, add the salt and pepper.
• Nous avons visité le musée, ensuite nous avons mangé au restaurant. — We visited the museum, then we ate at the restaurant.
• Ensuite, vous recevrez une confirmation par courriel. — Then you will receive a confirmation by email.

enfin — finally / lastly

Closes the list — the last step or final argument. In speech it can also mean relief: Enfin ! (At last!)

• Enfin, n'oubliez pas de signer le document. — Finally, don't forget to sign the document.
• Enfin, je voudrais parler du coût de la vie. — Lastly, I would like to talk about the cost of living.
• Après six mois d'attente, le visa est enfin arrivé ! — After six months of waiting, the visa finally arrived!

Illustration

par exemple — for example

Backs an argument with a concrete case. Examiners reward speakers who illustrate every claim — make this automatic.

• J'aime les sports d'hiver, par exemple le ski et le patinage. — I like winter sports, for example skiing and skating.
• Certains services sont gratuits, par exemple la bibliothèque. — Some services are free, for example the library.
• Il y a plusieurs solutions. Par exemple, on pourrait covoiturer. — There are several solutions. For example, we could carpool.