Connectors

et and A1

J'aime le thé et le café.

I like tea and coffee.

Links equal elements with any mood. Neutral.

aussi also, too A2

Ma sœur parle aussi espagnol.

My sister also speaks Spanish.

Comes after the verb, which stays in the indicative. At the start with inversion, it means therefore. Neutral.

en plus what's more, on top of that A2

Il pleut et, en plus, j'ai oublié mon parapluie.

It's raining and, on top of that, I forgot my umbrella.

Followed by the indicative. Spoken and informal: use de plus in exams.

et puis and then, and besides A2

C'est trop cher, et puis je n'en ai pas besoin.

It's too expensive, and besides, I don't need it.

Followed by the indicative. Spoken and informal.

de plus moreover, furthermore B1

Ce logement est bien situé. De plus, il est bon marché.

This flat is well located. Furthermore, it's cheap.

Followed by the indicative. Neutral, safe in exams.

également also, as well B1

Nous proposons également des cours du soir.

We also offer evening classes.

Comes after the verb, which stays in the indicative. Neutral to formal.

ainsi que as well as B1

Le directeur ainsi que ses adjoints seront présents.

The director as well as his deputies will be present.

Joins nouns, or takes the indicative before a clause. Neutral to formal.

non seulement... mais aussi not only... but also B1

Elle parle non seulement français, mais aussi arabe.

She speaks not only French but also Arabic.

Takes the indicative. No inversion after non seulement, unlike English. Neutral to formal.

d'ailleurs besides, what's more, incidentally B1

Je n'ai pas le temps. D'ailleurs, je n'ai aucune envie d'y aller.

I don't have time. Besides, I've no wish to go.

Followed by the indicative. Neutral, spoken and written.

en plus de as well as, on top of B1

En plus de son travail, il suit des cours du soir.

As well as his job, he takes evening classes.

Takes a noun or infinitive. Neutral.

en outre moreover, in addition B2

Ce projet coûte cher. Il présente en outre de vrais risques.

This project is expensive. It also carries real risks.

Followed by the indicative. Formal, written.

par ailleurs moreover, in other respects B2

Le rapport est clair. Il propose par ailleurs trois solutions.

The report is clear. It also offers three solutions.

Followed by the indicative. Formal. Good for moving to a separate point.

de même likewise, similarly B2

Les prix ont augmenté. De même, les loyers ont grimpé.

Prices have risen. Likewise, rents have climbed.

Followed by the indicative. Neutral to formal.

de même que just as, as well as B2

De même que l'eau, l'énergie devient rare.

Like water, energy is becoming scarce.

Takes a noun, or the indicative before a clause. Formal.

voire or even, indeed B2

Cette réforme est inutile, voire dangereuse.

This reform is useless, or even dangerous.

Goes between two adjectives or nouns, the second stronger, and doesn't affect mood. Not voire même in careful French. Formal.

sans compter que not to mention that B2

C'est loin, sans compter que le train coûte cher.

It's far, not to mention that the train is expensive.

Takes the indicative. Neutral.

à cela s'ajoute added to this is B2

À cela s'ajoute un manque de personnel qualifié.

Added to this is a lack of qualified staff.

Followed by a noun, with inversion. The verb agrees with what follows: à cela s'ajoutent des retards. Formal, written.

de surcroît moreover, what's more C1

Ce choix est coûteux et, de surcroît, injuste.

This choice is costly and, what's more, unfair.

Followed by the indicative. Formal, written.

qui plus est what's more C1

Il a menti et, qui plus est, il s'en vante.

He lied and, what's more, he boasts about it.

Followed by the indicative. Formal, and fixed in form.

outre besides, in addition to C1

Outre le coût, ce projet pose un problème éthique.

Besides the cost, this project raises an ethical problem.

Takes a noun. Formal, written.

mais but A1

Ce film est long, mais il est très beau.

This film is long, but it's very beautiful.

Followed by the indicative. Neutral.

par contre on the other hand A2

Le pain est bon. Par contre, le café est mauvais.

The bread is good. On the other hand, the coffee is bad.

Followed by the indicative. Neutral, very common in speech. Prefer en revanche in formal writing.

cependant however B1

Ce plan est bon. Il reste cependant difficile à appliquer.

This plan is good. However, it remains hard to apply.

Followed by the indicative. Neutral to formal.

pourtant yet, and yet B1

Il a beaucoup révisé, et pourtant il a échoué.

He revised a lot, and yet he failed.

Followed by the indicative. Neutral. Stresses surprise.

alors que whereas, while B1

Il dort alors que nous travaillons.

He's sleeping while we're working.

Takes the indicative. Neutral.

tandis que whereas, while B1

Elle aime la mer, tandis que lui préfère la montagne.

She likes the sea, whereas he prefers the mountains.

Takes the indicative. Neutral to formal.

au contraire on the contrary B1

Ce n'est pas facile, au contraire.

It isn't easy, on the contrary.

Followed by the indicative. Neutral. Contradicts, whereas en revanche only compares.

contrairement à unlike, contrary to B1

Contrairement à son frère, il adore lire.

Unlike his brother, he loves reading.

Takes a noun or pronoun. Neutral.

au lieu de instead of B1

Au lieu de te plaindre, propose une solution.

Instead of complaining, suggest a solution.

Takes a noun or infinitive. English -ing becomes an infinitive. Neutral.

sauf que except that B1

Tout s'est bien passé, sauf que le train avait du retard.

Everything went well, except that the train was late.

Takes the indicative. Neutral to spoken.

toutefois however, nevertheless B2

Le texte est clair. Il mérite toutefois quelques corrections.

The text is clear. It does, however, need a few corrections.

Followed by the indicative. Formal.

néanmoins nevertheless B2

Le risque est faible. Il faut néanmoins rester prudent.

The risk is low. Nevertheless, we must stay careful.

Followed by the indicative. Formal.

en revanche on the other hand B2

Le salaire est bas. En revanche, le travail est passionnant.

The pay is low. On the other hand, the work is fascinating.

Followed by the indicative. Formal, the exam choice over par contre.

or now, and yet B2

Il dit avoir tout payé. Or, la facture est toujours due.

He says he paid everything. Yet the bill is still due.

Takes the indicative. Formal. Introduces a fact that challenges what came before.

à l'inverse conversely B2

Certains travaillent trop. À l'inverse, d'autres manquent de travail.

Some work too much. Conversely, others don't have enough work.

Followed by the indicative. Neutral to formal.

d'un côté... de l'autre on the one hand... on the other B2

D'un côté, il veut partir. De l'autre, il hésite.

On the one hand he wants to leave. On the other, he's hesitating.

Followed by the indicative. Neutral. Means two sides of a balance.

d'une part... d'autre part on the one hand... on the other B2

Ce choix s'explique, d'une part, par le coût et, d'autre part, par le délai.

This choice is explained, on the one hand, by the cost and, on the other, by the deadline.

Followed by the indicative or a noun. Formal. Lists two points more than it contrasts them.

quant à as for B2

Quant à moi, je reste ici.

As for me, I'm staying here.

Takes a noun or stressed pronoun. Neutral. Becomes quant au and quant aux.

pour autant for all that, even so C1

Il a échoué, mais il n'a pas renoncé pour autant.

He failed, but he didn't give up for all that.

Usually in a negative sentence. Takes the indicative. Formal.

autant... autant as much... as C1

Autant il est drôle en privé, autant il est timide en public.

He's as shy in public as he is funny in private.

Two parallel clauses in the indicative, with no que. Formal.

même si even if, even though A2

Je sors même s'il pleut.

I'm going out even if it's raining.

Takes the indicative, never the subjunctive and never a future. Neutral.

bien que although B1

Bien qu'il soit malade, il travaille.

Although he's ill, he's working.

Takes the subjunctive, even for a known fact. Neutral to formal.

malgré despite B1

Malgré la pluie, nous sommes sortis.

Despite the rain, we went out.

Takes a noun. Neutral. Avoid malgré que in exams.

tout de même all the same, still B1

Il est tard, mais je vais tout de même l'appeler.

It's late, but I'm going to call him all the same.

Followed by the indicative. Neutral.

quand même even so, all the same B1

C'est cher, mais je vais l'acheter quand même.

It's expensive, but I'll buy it anyway.

Followed by the indicative. Spoken, informal. Prefer tout de même in writing.

il est vrai que it's true that B1

Il est vrai que ce film est un peu long.

It's true that this film is a bit long.

Takes the indicative. Neutral to formal.

quoique although B2

Quoiqu'il soit tard, je reste encore un peu.

Although it's late, I'm staying a little longer.

Takes the subjunctive. Neutral to formal. Written as one word, unlike quoi que.

certes admittedly, certainly B2

Certes, ce projet coûte cher, mais il est utile.

Admittedly this project is expensive, but it's useful.

Followed by the indicative and often mais. Formal, very good in essays.

en dépit de in spite of B2

En dépit de ses efforts, il n'a pas réussi.

In spite of his efforts, he didn't succeed.

Takes a noun. Formal.

cela dit that said B2

Le plan est solide. Cela dit, il reste des risques.

The plan is sound. That said, there are still risks.

Followed by the indicative. Neutral.

il n'empêche que nevertheless, the fact remains that B2

Il a des excuses. Il n'empêche qu'il a menti.

He has excuses. The fact remains that he lied.

Takes the indicative. Neutral to formal.

il n'en reste pas moins que the fact remains that B2

Il n'en reste pas moins que le problème est grave.

The fact remains that the problem is serious.

Takes the indicative. Formal, ideal in essays.

quel que soit whatever B2

Quel que soit le résultat, je serai fier de toi.

Whatever the result, I'll be proud of you.

Followed by a noun. Soit is a subjunctive and quel agrees: quelle que soit la raison. Neutral to formal.

quoi que whatever B2

Quoi que tu fasses, je te soutiendrai.

Whatever you do, I'll support you.

Takes the subjunctive. Two words, unlike quoique. Neutral to formal.

avoir beau however much, no matter how much B2

J'ai beau essayer, je n'y arrive pas.

No matter how hard I try, I can't do it.

Takes an infinitive and has nothing to do with beauty. Neutral, common in speech.

admettons que let's assume that B2

Admettons que tu aies raison. Que faisons-nous ?

Let's assume you're right. What do we do?

Takes the subjunctive. Neutral, spoken and written.

encore que although, even though C1

Il réussira, encore que rien ne soit certain.

He'll succeed, though nothing is certain.

Takes the subjunctive. Formal. Adds a limit to what was just said.

quand bien même even if C1

Quand bien même il accepterait, rien ne changerait.

Even if he agreed, nothing would change.

Takes the conditional, not the subjunctive. Formal, literary.

où que wherever C1

Où que tu ailles, je te suivrai.

Wherever you go, I'll follow you.

Takes the subjunctive. Formal.

aussi... que however, no matter how C1

Aussi brillant qu'il soit, il ne peut pas tout savoir.

However brilliant he is, he can't know everything.

Takes the subjunctive. Formal. Also aussi brillant soit-il.

toujours est-il que the fact remains that C1

Toujours est-il que personne n'a réagi.

The fact remains that nobody reacted.

Takes the indicative. Formal, with fixed inversion.

tout... que however, though C1

Tout riche qu'il est, il reste modeste.

Rich though he is, he remains modest.

Takes the indicative as standard, and the subjunctive is also found. Formal.

pour... que however C2

Pour séduisante qu'elle soit, cette idée reste fausse.

However attractive it is, this idea is still wrong.

Takes the subjunctive. Literary.

parce que because A1

Je reste à la maison parce que je suis malade.

I'm staying at home because I'm ill.

Takes the indicative. Neutral. Answers pourquoi.

comme as, since A2

Comme il pleut, nous restons ici.

As it's raining, we're staying here.

Takes the indicative. Goes at the start of the sentence for cause. Neutral.

à cause de because of A2

Le match est annulé à cause de la neige.

The match is cancelled because of the snow.

Takes a noun. Neutral. Usually a bad cause: use grâce à for a good one.

grâce à thanks to A2

J'ai trouvé ce poste grâce à mon frère.

I found this job thanks to my brother.

Takes a noun or pronoun. Neutral. For a good cause only.

car because, for B1

Il n'est pas venu, car il était malade.

He didn't come, because he was ill.

Takes the indicative. Neutral to formal. Can't start a sentence in careful French.

puisque since B1

Puisque tu es là, aide-moi.

Since you're here, help me.

Takes the indicative. Neutral. For a cause both speakers already accept.

en effet indeed, in fact B1

Il est fatigué. En effet, il a travaillé toute la nuit.

He's tired. In fact, he worked all night.

Followed by the indicative. Neutral to formal. Introduces the explanation of what came before.

vu que given that B1

Vu que tu connais la ville, conduis-nous.

Since you know the town, take us there.

Takes the indicative. Neutral, a bit spoken.

étant donné que given that B1

Étant donné que le magasin est fermé, je reviendrai.

Given that the shop is closed, I'll come back.

Takes the indicative. Neutral to formal.

faute de for lack of B1

Faute de temps, nous n'avons pas fini.

For lack of time, we didn't finish.

Takes a noun with no article, or an infinitive. Neutral to formal.

à force de by dint of, through constantly B2

À force de répéter, il a fini par comprendre.

Through constant repetition, he ended up understanding.

Takes an infinitive or a noun with no article. Neutral.

en raison de because of, owing to B2

Le vol est annulé en raison d'une grève.

The flight is cancelled owing to a strike.

Takes a noun. Formal, standard in official notices.

dans la mesure où insofar as B2

Ce choix est logique, dans la mesure où il réduit les coûts.

This choice is logical, insofar as it cuts costs.

Takes the indicative. Formal, ideal in essays.

sous prétexte que on the pretext that B2

Il est parti sous prétexte qu'il était malade.

He left on the pretext that he was ill.

Takes the indicative. Neutral. Suggests the reason is false.

d'autant plus que all the more so as B2

Ce film m'a plu, d'autant plus que j'adore ce pays.

I liked this film, all the more so as I love this country.

Takes the indicative. Neutral to formal.

suite à following, as a result of B2

Suite à votre demande, nous vous envoyons ce dossier.

Following your request, we're sending you this file.

Takes a noun. Administrative. À la suite de is the safer form in literary writing.

compte tenu de given, in view of B2

Compte tenu de la situation, le concert est reporté.

Given the situation, the concert is postponed.

Takes a noun. Formal. Compte doesn't agree.

ce n'est pas que it's not that B2

Ce n'est pas que je sois contre, mais je doute.

It's not that I'm against it, but I have doubts.

Takes the subjunctive. Neutral. Rejects a cause to give the real one.

non que not that C1

Il a refusé, non qu'il soit timide, mais par principe.

He refused, not that he's shy, but on principle.

Takes the subjunctive. Formal, written.

soit que... soit que whether because... or because C1

Il se tait, soit qu'il ait peur, soit qu'il ne sache rien.

He says nothing, either because he's scared or because he knows nothing.

Takes the subjunctive. Formal, literary.

donc so, therefore A2

Il pleut, donc nous restons à la maison.

It's raining, so we're staying at home.

Followed by the indicative. Neutral.

alors so, then A2

Il faisait froid, alors j'ai mis un manteau.

It was cold, so I put on a coat.

Followed by the indicative. Neutral to spoken. Prefer donc or ainsi in essays.

c'est pourquoi that's why B1

Je dois me lever tôt, c'est pourquoi je me couche déjà.

I have to get up early, that's why I'm already going to bed.

Takes the indicative. Neutral, safe in exams.

par conséquent consequently, therefore B1

Le train est supprimé. Par conséquent, nous arriverons tard.

The train is cancelled. Consequently, we'll arrive late.

Followed by the indicative. Neutral to formal.

si bien que so that, with the result that B1

Il a neigé, si bien que l'école est fermée.

It snowed, so the school is closed.

Takes the indicative. Neutral to formal.

tellement... que so... that B1

Il est tellement fatigué qu'il dort debout.

He's so tired that he's falling asleep on his feet.

Takes the indicative, but the subjunctive after a negative main clause. Neutral.

si... que so... that B1

Ce café est si fort que je ne peux pas le boire.

This coffee is so strong that I can't drink it.

Takes the indicative, but the subjunctive after a negative main clause. Neutral.

tant de... que so much, so many... that B1

Il y avait tant de monde que je suis parti.

There were so many people that I left.

Takes the indicative. Neutral.

du coup so, as a result B1

J'ai raté le bus, du coup je suis venu à pied.

I missed the bus, so I walked.

Followed by the indicative. Informal, very common in speech. Avoid it in exam writing.

ainsi thus, so B1

Ainsi, tout le monde pourra participer.

So everyone will be able to take part.

Followed by the indicative. Neutral to formal. Often with inversion in formal writing.

de ce fait as a result B2

Il n'a pas signé. De ce fait, le contrat est nul.

He didn't sign. As a result, the contract is void.

Followed by the indicative. Formal.

d'où hence B2

Il a menti, d'où ma colère.

He lied, hence my anger.

Takes a noun, with no verb. Neutral to formal.

au point que to the point that B2

Il a changé au point que je ne l'ai pas reconnu.

He's changed to the point that I didn't recognise him.

Takes the indicative, but the subjunctive after a negative main clause. Neutral to formal.

à tel point que so much so that B2

Il criait, à tel point que tout le monde se retournait.

He was shouting, so much so that everyone turned round.

Takes the indicative, but the subjunctive after a negative main clause. Neutral to formal.

dès lors from then on, consequently B2

Il a avoué. Dès lors, l'affaire est close.

He confessed. Consequently, the case is closed.

Followed by the indicative. Formal.

de telle sorte que in such a way that B2

Il parle de telle sorte que tout le monde comprend.

He speaks in such a way that everyone understands.

Takes the indicative for a real result. Use the subjunctive for an aim. Neutral to formal.

sans que without B2

Il est parti sans que je le voie.

He left without me seeing him.

Takes the subjunctive and blocks the expected result. Neutral. English -ing becomes a full clause.

aussi + inversion therefore, and so C1

Le risque est réel. Aussi faut-il agir vite.

The risk is real. We must therefore act quickly.

At the start of a sentence, followed by inversion and the indicative. Formal, written.

pour in order to, for A2

Je travaille pour gagner ma vie.

I work to earn a living.

Takes an infinitive or noun when the subject doesn't change. Neutral.

pour que so that B1

Parle plus fort pour que tout le monde t'entende.

Speak up so that everyone can hear you.

Takes the subjunctive, when the subject changes. Neutral.

afin de in order to B1

Je vous écris afin de confirmer ma venue.

I'm writing to confirm my attendance.

Takes an infinitive. Formal, the written choice over pour.

afin que so that B1

Je vous envoie ce document afin que vous puissiez le signer.

I'm sending you this document so that you can sign it.

Takes the subjunctive. Formal.

de sorte que so that B2

Parle lentement, de sorte que nous comprenions bien.

Speak slowly so that we can understand properly.

Takes the subjunctive for an aim, and the indicative for a real result. Neutral.

de manière à so as to B2

Partons tôt de manière à éviter les bouchons.

Let's leave early so as to avoid the traffic jams.

Takes an infinitive. Neutral to formal.

de manière que so that B2

Parle de manière que chacun comprenne.

Speak so that everyone can understand.

Takes the subjunctive for an aim. Formal.

de façon à so as to B2

Il a tout noté de façon à ne rien oublier.

He wrote everything down so as not to forget anything.

Takes an infinitive. Neutral to formal.

de peur de for fear of B2

Il n'a rien dit de peur de la blesser.

He said nothing for fear of hurting her.

Takes an infinitive, with the same subject. Neutral to formal.

de peur que for fear that B2

Je l'ai prévenu de peur qu'il ne se perde.

I warned him for fear he'd get lost.

Takes the subjunctive, often with a non-negative ne. Formal.

dans le but de with the aim of B2

Il a déménagé dans le but de se rapprocher de son fils.

He moved with the aim of being closer to his son.

Takes an infinitive. Neutral to formal.

en vue de with a view to B2

Il révise en vue de son examen.

He's revising for his exam.

Takes a noun or infinitive. Formal.

histoire de just to, by way of B2

Sortons un peu, histoire de prendre l'air.

Let's go out for a bit, just to get some air.

Takes an infinitive. Informal, avoid in exams.

pour éviter que to prevent B2

J'ai fermé la porte pour éviter que le chat sorte.

I closed the door to stop the cat getting out.

Takes the subjunctive. Formal writing often adds ne. Neutral.

de crainte que for fear that C1

Il a caché la lettre de crainte qu'on ne la trouve.

He hid the letter for fear someone would find it.

Takes the subjunctive, often with a non-negative ne. Formal.

dans l'intention de with the intention of C1

Elle est venue dans l'intention de tout expliquer.

She came with the intention of explaining everything.

Takes an infinitive. Formal.

si if A2

Si tu viens, nous irons au cinéma.

If you come, we'll go to the cinema.

Takes the indicative, never the future or conditional in the si clause. Neutral.

sinon otherwise, or else A2

Dépêche-toi, sinon nous allons rater le train.

Hurry up, or we'll miss the train.

Followed by the indicative. Neutral.

à condition de on condition of, provided B1

Tu réussiras à condition de travailler.

You'll succeed provided you work.

Takes an infinitive, with the same subject. Neutral.

à condition que on condition that, provided that B1

Je viens à condition que tu conduises.

I'll come provided you drive.

Takes the subjunctive. Neutral.

au cas où in case B1

Prends un parapluie au cas où il pleuvrait.

Take an umbrella in case it rains.

Takes the conditional, never the subjunctive. Neutral.

en cas de in case of, in the event of B1

En cas de problème, appelez ce numéro.

In the event of a problem, call this number.

Takes a noun with no article. Neutral.

tant que as long as B1

Tant que tu seras là, je serai rassuré.

As long as you're here, I'll feel reassured.

Takes the indicative. Uses a future for future time, where English has a present. Neutral.

sauf si unless B1

Je viendrai, sauf si je suis malade.

I'll come, unless I'm ill.

Takes the indicative. Neutral, simpler than à moins que.

à moins que unless B2

Je partirai à moins qu'il ne pleuve.

I'll leave unless it rains.

Takes the subjunctive, usually with a non-negative ne. Neutral to formal.

à moins de unless B2

Vous n'y arriverez pas à moins de partir tôt.

You won't get there unless you leave early.

Takes an infinitive, with the same subject. Neutral to formal.

pourvu que provided that B2

Tout ira bien pourvu que tu restes calme.

All will be well provided you stay calm.

Takes the subjunctive. Neutral. On its own it expresses a hope: pourvu qu'il vienne !

dans le cas où in the event that B2

Dans le cas où il refuserait, nous saisirions le juge.

If he were to refuse, we'd go to court.

Takes the conditional. Formal.

à supposer que assuming that B2

À supposer qu'il accepte, qui paiera ?

Assuming he agrees, who will pay?

Takes the subjunctive. Formal.

faute de quoi otherwise, failing which B2

Payez avant lundi, faute de quoi le contrat sera résilié.

Pay before Monday, failing which the contract will be cancelled.

Followed by the indicative. Formal.

pour peu que if only, provided that C1

Il réussira, pour peu qu'il fasse un effort.

He'll succeed, if he makes the slightest effort.

Takes the subjunctive. Formal.

pour autant que as far as, insofar as C1

Pour autant que je sache, il est encore à Paris.

As far as I know, he's still in Paris.

Takes the subjunctive. Formal.

dans l'hypothèse où in the event that C1

Dans l'hypothèse où ce vote échouerait, il démissionnerait.

Should this vote fail, he would resign.

Takes the conditional. Formal, written.

sous réserve que provided that C1

La réunion aura lieu sous réserve que le budget soit voté.

The meeting will take place provided that the budget is passed.

Takes the subjunctive. Administrative.

d'abord first A1

D'abord, je prends un café.

First, I have a coffee.

Followed by the indicative. Neutral.

ensuite then, next A1

Ensuite, nous irons au marché.

Then we'll go to the market.

Followed by the indicative. Neutral.

puis then A1

Il a mangé, puis il est sorti.

He ate, then he went out.

Followed by the indicative. Neutral.

enfin finally, at last A1

Enfin, n'oublie pas de fermer la porte.

Finally, don't forget to close the door.

Followed by the indicative. Neutral. Also means well or I mean in speech.

après after, afterwards A1

Après, on va au cinéma ?

Shall we go to the cinema afterwards?

As a preposition it takes a noun or past infinitive. Neutral.

quand when A2

Quand il arrivera, nous mangerons.

When he arrives, we'll eat.

Takes the indicative. Uses a future for future time, where English has a present. Neutral.

avant de before A2

Lave-toi les mains avant de manger.

Wash your hands before eating.

Takes an infinitive, with the same subject. Neutral.

tout d'abord first of all B1

Tout d'abord, je voudrais vous remercier.

First of all, I'd like to thank you.

Followed by the indicative. Neutral to formal.

premièrement firstly B1

Premièrement, ce projet coûte trop cher.

Firstly, this project costs too much.

Followed by the indicative. Neutral, a bit list-like.

avant que before B1

Rentre avant qu'il ne pleuve.

Come home before it rains.

Takes the subjunctive, with an optional non-negative ne. Neutral.

après que after B1

Il est parti après que nous avions dîné.

He left after we had eaten.

Takes the indicative in careful French, though the subjunctive is common. Neutral to formal.

lorsque when B1

Lorsque je suis arrivé, tout le monde dormait.

When I arrived, everyone was asleep.

Takes the indicative. More formal than quand.

dès que as soon as B1

Appelle-moi dès que tu arriveras.

Call me as soon as you arrive.

Takes the indicative. Uses a future for future time, where English has a present. Neutral.

une fois que once B1

Une fois que tu auras fini, tu pourras sortir.

Once you've finished, you can go out.

Takes the indicative. Uses the future perfect, where English has a present perfect. Neutral.

jusqu'à ce que until B1

Attends ici jusqu'à ce que je revienne.

Wait here until I come back.

Takes the subjunctive. Neutral.

en premier lieu in the first place B2

En premier lieu, il faut définir le problème.

In the first place, we must define the problem.

Followed by the indicative. Formal.

dans un premier temps initially, first B2

Dans un premier temps, je présenterai les faits.

First, I'll set out the facts.

Followed by the indicative. Neutral to formal, standard in essays.

dans un second temps then, secondly B2

Dans un second temps, nous verrons les solutions.

Then we'll look at the solutions.

Followed by the indicative. Neutral to formal.

par la suite subsequently, later on B2

Il a étudié le droit et, par la suite, il est devenu juge.

He studied law and later became a judge.

Followed by the indicative. Neutral to formal.

en attendant que until, while waiting for B2

Lis un peu en attendant que le dîner soit prêt.

Read a bit until dinner is ready.

Takes the subjunctive. Neutral.

désormais from now on B2

Désormais, les réunions auront lieu le lundi.

From now on, meetings will be held on Mondays.

Followed by the indicative. Neutral to formal.

par exemple for example A2

Elle lit beaucoup, par exemple des romans policiers.

She reads a lot, crime novels for example.

Neutral. Followed by the indicative or a noun.

on peut citer one can mention B1

On peut citer le cas de la ville de Nantes.

One can mention the case of the city of Nantes.

Takes a noun. The verb stays in the indicative. Neutral to formal.

surtout especially B1

J'aime la mer, surtout en hiver.

I love the sea, especially in winter.

Neutral. Takes a noun or phrase, or the indicative before parce que.

en particulier in particular B1

Il aime le sport, en particulier le rugby.

He likes sport, rugby in particular.

Takes a noun or phrase. Neutral.

notamment notably, in particular B1

Plusieurs pays, notamment la France, ont voté contre.

Several countries, notably France, voted against.

Takes a noun or phrase. Neutral to formal, very good in essays.

entre autres among others B1

Elle a écrit, entre autres, trois romans.

She wrote, among other things, three novels.

Takes a noun or phrase. Neutral.

à savoir namely B2

Il reste un problème, à savoir le financement.

There's one problem left, namely the funding.

Takes a noun or the indicative. Formal.

tel que such as B2

Des villes telles que Lyon ont réagi.

Cities such as Lyon reacted.

Takes a noun. Neutral to formal. Tel agrees with the noun before it.

c'est le cas de that's the case with B2

Certains pays ont réagi : c'est le cas de la Suède.

Some countries reacted: that's the case with Sweden.

Takes a noun. Neutral to formal.

prenons l'exemple de let's take the example of B2

Prenons l'exemple de la ville de Nantes.

Let's take the example of the city of Nantes.

Takes a noun. Neutral to formal.

à titre d'exemple by way of example B2

À titre d'exemple, citons le cas de Nantes.

By way of example, let's cite the case of Nantes.

Followed by the indicative. Formal.

pour ne citer que to name only, to name but C1

De grands auteurs, pour ne citer que Proust, l'ont évoqué.

Great authors, Proust to name but one, have mentioned it.

Takes a noun. Formal.

à l'image de like, as shown by C1

À l'image de Lyon, d'autres villes ont réagi.

Like Lyon, other cities have reacted.

Takes a noun. Formal.

en l'occurrence in this case, as it happens C1

L'auteur, en l'occurrence un médecin, s'inquiète.

The author, in this case a doctor, is worried.

Followed by the indicative or a noun. Formal.

comme en témoigne as shown by C1

Le malaise est réel, comme en témoigne cette grève.

The unease is real, as this strike shows.

Followed by a noun with inversion. The verb agrees with what follows. Formal.

je veux dire I mean A2

Je viens lundi, je veux dire mardi.

I'm coming on Monday, I mean Tuesday.

Followed by the indicative. Spoken, informal.

c'est-à-dire that is, in other words B1

Elle part en mai, c'est-à-dire dans un mois.

She's leaving in May, in other words in a month.

Takes a noun or the indicative. Neutral. Abbreviated c.-à-d. in notes only.

ou plutôt or rather B1

Je l'ai vu hier, ou plutôt avant-hier.

I saw him yesterday, or rather the day before.

Followed by the indicative or a noun. Neutral.

plus exactement more exactly B1

Il habite en Bretagne, plus exactement à Brest.

He lives in Brittany, in Brest to be exact.

Followed by the indicative or a noun. Neutral.

autrement dit in other words B1

Il est parti sans payer, autrement dit il a volé.

He left without paying, in other words he stole.

Followed by the indicative. Neutral to formal.

en d'autres termes in other words B2

Le budget baisse. En d'autres termes, il faudra choisir.

The budget is falling. In other words, choices will have to be made.

Followed by the indicative. Formal.

plus précisément more precisely B2

Il travaille à Lyon, plus précisément dans le centre.

He works in Lyon, in the centre to be precise.

Followed by the indicative or a noun. Neutral to formal.

en clair to put it plainly B2

Le poste est supprimé. En clair, il est licencié.

The job is being cut. To put it plainly, he's being laid off.

Followed by the indicative. Neutral, common in journalism.

pour ainsi dire so to speak, virtually B2

Il ne dort pour ainsi dire jamais.

He virtually never sleeps.

Goes with the indicative. Neutral.

soit that is, i.e. B2

La ville compte vingt mille étudiants, soit un habitant sur cinq.

The city has twenty thousand students, or one resident in five.

Takes a noun or number, for a conversion. Neutral to formal.

ce qui revient à dire que which amounts to saying that B2

Il refuse, ce qui revient à dire que le projet est mort.

He refuses, which amounts to saying the project is dead.

Takes the indicative. Formal.

j'entends par là que by that I mean that C1

Il faut agir, j'entends par là que chacun doit s'engager.

We must act, by which I mean everyone must commit.

Takes the indicative. Formal.

ou encore or else, or again C1

On peut citer le vélo, le tramway ou encore le covoiturage.

You could mention bikes, trams or even car sharing.

Links the last item in a list. Formal in tone. Followed by a noun.

pour finir finally A2

Pour finir, je voudrais vous remercier.

Finally, I'd like to thank you.

Followed by the indicative. Neutral.

finalement in the end, finally A2

Finalement, nous sommes restés à la maison.

In the end, we stayed at home.

Followed by the indicative. Neutral. Means in the end more often than finally.

bref in short B1

Il pleuvait, le train était en retard. Bref, une journée horrible.

It was raining, the train was late. In short, an awful day.

Followed by the indicative or a noun. Neutral to spoken.

en résumé in summary B1

En résumé, ce projet a trois avantages.

In summary, this project has three advantages.

Followed by the indicative. Neutral.

pour conclure to conclude B1

Pour conclure, je dirais que ce choix est raisonnable.

To conclude, I'd say this choice is reasonable.

Followed by the indicative. Neutral to formal.

en conclusion in conclusion B1

En conclusion, il faut agir rapidement.

In conclusion, we must act quickly.

Followed by the indicative. Neutral to formal.

pour résumer to sum up B1

Pour résumer, tout le monde est d'accord.

To sum up, everyone agrees.

Followed by the indicative. Neutral.

en somme in short, all in all B2

En somme, ce film m'a plutôt plu.

All in all, I quite liked this film.

Followed by the indicative. Neutral to formal.

en définitive ultimately B2

En définitive, c'est au public de décider.

Ultimately, it's up to the public to decide.

Followed by the indicative. Formal.

en fin de compte in the end B2

En fin de compte, il a accepté notre offre.

In the end, he accepted our offer.

Followed by the indicative. Neutral.

tout compte fait all things considered B2

Tout compte fait, je préfère rester ici.

All things considered, I prefer to stay here.

Followed by the indicative. Neutral.

au final in the end B2

Au final, le voyage nous a coûté très cher.

In the end, the trip cost us a lot.

Followed by the indicative. Spoken, and criticised in careful writing.

en un mot in a word B2

En un mot, cette réforme a échoué.

In a word, this reform has failed.

Followed by the indicative. Neutral.

somme toute all in all C1

Somme toute, le bilan reste positif.

All in all, the outcome remains positive.

Followed by the indicative. Formal.

tout bien considéré all things considered C1

Tout bien considéré, cette décision était la bonne.

All things considered, this decision was the right one.

Followed by the indicative. Formal.

pour tout dire to tell the truth, in fact C1

Pour tout dire, je ne crois pas à ce projet.

To tell the truth, I don't believe in this project.

Followed by the indicative. Neutral to formal.