25 French Transition Words : Essential Connectives
Linking words or transition words, play a key role in creating smooth and coherent sentences in French. They help clarify relationships between ideas, show cause and effect, and improve overall readability. Mastering these words can greatly enhance your writing and speaking fluency. In this article we will explore 25 essential French transtion words with examples.
1- Cause
1-Car - because or or and is primarily used in formal writing or more structured speech. It provides a reason or explanation for a statement, much like "parce que", but with a more sophisticated or literary tone)
J’étudie l’espagnol car je veux habiter en Espagne
I study Spanish because I want to live in Spain- since or because
It is used to express a known or obvious cause or reason
2- Puisque - since since" or "because", used to introduce a reason that is already known or obvious to both the speaker and the listener.
Puisque tu ne parles pas espagnol, tu ne peux pas travailler en Espagne
Since you don’t speak Spanish, you cannot work in Spain.
3- Parce que - because
It is used to explain a reason or cause in response to a question asking "why" (pourquoi).
Je suis resté à la maison parce qu’il pleuvait
I stayed home because it was raining.
4- En effet - en effet - indeed
It is generally considered more formal or neutral in tone in French. It is used in writing and formal speech to introduce a confirmation, explanation, or justification for something that has just been stated.
En effet, tu es difficile
You are picky, indeed
5- A cause de - because of or due to
It is used to express a negative or neutral cause or reason.
Nous sommes arrivés en retard à cause du trafic
We arrived late because of the traffic.
2 - Consequence
6. donc - therefore, so
Je pense, donc je suis
I think, therefore I am.
7. Alors - then
l était de mauvaise humeur alors je suis parti
He was in a bad mood so I left
8. Du coup - so
Du coup is a common French expression used in informal speech to indicate a consequence or a result. It is similar to so, therefore, or as a result in English.
Il était de mauvaise humeur, du coup je suis parti.
- He was in a bad mood, so I left.
9. Par conséquent – Therefore, as a result
Par conséquent" is a formal connector commonly used in written French and formal speech.
Il a fait froid, par conséquent je suis resté à la maison
It was cold, so I stayed home.
3- Goal
10 - Pour - to - so that
il est parti en avance pour être à l'heure
he left earlier to be on time.
Pour que is a conjunction meaning "so that" or "in order that" and it always requires the subjunctive mood. This is because it introduces a purpose or goal, which involves an element of subjectivity or uncertainty—key triggers for the subjunctive.
Je parle lentement pour que tu comprennes.
I speak slowly so that you understand.
4- Opposition / Concession
11- Pourtant - although, still, nevertheless
Il fait beau, pourtant il reste à l’intérieur
It’s nice outside, yet he stays indoors.
12- Néanmoins - however, nevertheless, nonetheless
Elle avait peu d’argent néanmoins elle lui a tout donné
She had little money, but she gave all to him nonetheless.
13- Quand même - even though, all the same, nevertheless
Ce n’est pas lui qui chantait le mieux, mais il a gagné la compétition quand même
He wasn’t the best singer, but he won the contest all the same.
14 - Au contraire - on the contrary
Il pense que j’aime Paul. Au contraire, je le déteste !
He thinks I am in love with Paul. On the contrary, I hate him !
15- Même si - même si ( even if)
Il ira même si elle n’y va pas.
He’ll go even if she doesn’t.
16 - à moins que – unless ( + subjonctive)
Vous ne pourrez pas voir la directrice à moins que vous ayez un rendez-vous.
You will not be able to see the director unless you have an appointment.
17 - Sauf si - unless
Je viendrai te voir sauf si je suis malade.
I will come to see you unless I am sick.
5 - Times
18 - D’abord - first
D’abord, vous étudiez la leçon, et puis vous faîtes les exercices.
you first study the lesson, then you do the exercises.
19- Ensuite or (et puis) - then
J'ai terminé mes devoirs, ensuite j'ai regardé un film.
I finished my homework, then I watched a movie.Et puis
J'ai lu un livre, et puis je suis allé me promener.
I read a book, and then I went for a walk.
20- Enfin - finally
J’ai enfin terminé mes devoirs.
I finally finished my homework.
21-Jusqu’à - Until ( time specification) or Up to
Je vais travailler jusqu'à 18 heures.
I will work until 6 p.mJe vais marcher jusqu'à la maison.
I will walk up to the house.
-Jusqu’à ce que + subjunctive
J'attendrai jusqu'à ce qu'il arrive.
I will wait until he arrives.
6 - Transition
22-En plus - furthermore
Il ne dort pas et en plus il ne mange rien
He doesn't sleep, and furthermore, he doesn't eat anything
23- Au fait- by the way
Au fait, est-ce que tu sais si le contrat est validé ?
By the way, do you know if the contract has been approved?
24-En fait - In fact
Il dit qu'il a terminé ses devoirs, en fait c'est faux il n'a pas encore commencé
He says he has finished his homework, in fact, that's false, he hasn't started yet
25 - Selon, suivant, d’après : according to
Selon le rapport, il pleuvra demain.
According to the report, it will rain tomorrow.
Suivant les instructions, nous devons commencer à 9 heures.
Following the instructions, we must start at 9 a.m.
D'après elle, le film était excellent.
According to her, the movie was excellent.
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