Logical Connectors & Linking Words

📌 Note de grammaire

Both 'cependant' and 'pourtant' mean 'however' or 'yet' and are interchangeable in most B1 contexts. They are used to introduce an unexpected result or a contrast. They can be placed at the beginning of a sentence followed by a comma, or after the conjugated verb.

📌 Note de grammaire

'En revanche' is more formal and elegant, while 'par contre' is very common in spoken French (though some purists prefer the former in writing). They introduce a contrasting element that balances or opposes the previous statement.

📌 Note de grammaire

'Bien que' and 'quoique' (meaning 'although') require the subjunctive mood in the dependent clause. 'Quoique' is slightly more formal. Do not confuse 'quoique' (although) with 'quoi que' (whatever).

📌 Note de grammaire

Unlike 'bien que' which is followed by a clause (subject + conjugated verb), 'malgré' and 'en dépit de' are prepositions and must be followed directly by a noun or a stressed pronoun (e.g., 'malgré lui').

📌 Note de grammaire

'Donc' is the most common word for 'so' or 'therefore' in casual and standard speech. 'Par conséquent' is more formal and emphasizes a direct, logical consequence of the preceding statement.

📌 Note de grammaire

'C'est pourquoi' literally means 'it is why' and introduces a result or conclusion based on prior facts. 'Ainsi' means 'thus' or 'in this way' and can introduce a manner or a logical consequence.

📌 Note de grammaire

'Parce que' answers the question 'pourquoi' and cannot start a sentence when standing alone. 'Car' is a coordinating conjunction meaning 'because' or 'for', often used in written or slightly more formal contexts to link two clauses.

📌 Note de grammaire

'Puisque' introduces a cause that is already known or obvious to both speakers (similar to English 'since'). 'Étant donné que' is more formal and translates to 'given that' or 'seeing that'.

📌 Note de grammaire

'À cause de' is used for negative or neutral causes ('because of'). 'Grâce à' is exclusively used for positive causes ('thanks to'). Both must be followed directly by a noun phrase, never by a full conjugated clause.

📌 Note de grammaire

'De plus' is the standard B1 connector for 'furthermore' or 'moreover'. 'En outre' is more formal and literary, used to add an additional weighty argument in a structured text or professional discussion.

📌 Note de grammaire

This correlative pair is essential for structured B1 writing and speaking (like an essay or debate). 'D'une part' introduces the first argument, and 'd'autre part' introduces the second, balancing two perspectives.

📌 Note de grammaire

'En somme' means 'in short', 'all in all', or 'to sum up'. It is frequently used at B1 level to introduce a synthesis or a final conclusion drawn from previous arguments in conversation or essays.