French logical connectors
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Connectors in the DELF
- In the DELF, an examiner ticks "organises their ideas": connectors are a line on the grid, not a decoration.
- B1: four or five are enough, well placed (parce que, mais, donc, d'abord, enfin).
- B2 and C1: variety and written register are expected (cependant rather than mais, en revanche rather than par contre).
Cause
Why: what explains the fact just stated.
- because · + indicativeStandardA1
- because, more formal · + indicativeFormalB1
- because, reason already known · + indicativeStandardB1
- because, reason first · + indicativeStandardB1
- indeed, and here is why · full sentenceFormalB2
- given that, established fact · + indicativeFormalB2
- because, verifiable fact · + indicativeFormalC1
- because, spoken only · + indicativeSpokenB1
- because of, something bad · + nounStandardA2
- thanks to, something good · + nounStandardA2
- owing to, neutral · + nounFormalB2
- for lack of, missing · + nounFormalC1
- insofar as, within limits · + indicativeFormalC1
Consequence
What follows: the result of what came before.
- so, therefore · full sentenceStandardA2
- therefore, formal · full sentenceFormalB2
- that is why · full sentenceStandardB1
- thus, after a proof · full sentenceFormalB2
- so, spoken · full sentenceSpokenA1
- so, very colloquial · full sentenceSpokenB1
- so that, actual result · + indicativeFormalB2
- so that, result or aim · + indicativeFormalB2
- so much that · + indicativeStandardB1
- to such a point that · + indicativeFormalC1
- hence, in brief · + nounFormalC1
- consequently, administrative · full sentenceFormalC1
Opposition
Two facts set side by side, neither cancelling the other.
- but · full sentenceStandardA1
- now, the decisive fact · full sentenceFormalC1
- on the other hand, formal · full sentenceFormalB2
- on the other hand, everyday · full sentenceStandardB1
- whereas, or while · + indicativeStandardB1
- whereas, in writing · + indicativeFormalB2
- on the contrary · full sentenceStandardB1
- conversely, symmetrical case · full sentenceFormalC1
- unlike, contrary to · + nounFormalB2
- on one hand, on the other · full sentenceStandardB1
Concession
You grant a fact, then say the opposite of what it led you to expect.
- yet, surprisingly · full sentenceStandardB1
- however, a restriction · full sentenceFormalB2
- however, mild restriction · full sentenceFormalB2
- nevertheless, position stands · full sentenceFormalB2
- although, in writing · + subjunctiveFormalB2
- although, even more formal · + subjunctiveFormalC1
- even if, indicative · + indicativeStandardB1
- despite, everyday · + nounStandardB1
- in spite of, formal · + nounFormalC1
- all the same, after the verb · full sentenceSpokenB1
- admittedly, but · full sentenceFormalB2
- without, it did not happen · + subjunctiveFormalC1
Purpose
What for: the intention behind the action.
- to, in order to · + infinitiveStandardA1
- in order to, formal · + infinitiveFormalB2
- so that, different subjects · + subjunctiveStandardB1
- so that, formal · + subjunctiveFormalB2
- so as to, stressing how · + infinitiveFormalB2
- so as to, less formal · + infinitiveStandardB2
- for fear that, to avoid · + subjunctiveFormalC1
- with a view to · + nounFormalC1
Condition
What has to hold for the rest to happen, and what happens otherwise.
- if · + indicativeStandardA2
- provided that, necessary · + subjunctiveFormalB2
- as long as, hopeful · + subjunctiveFormalC1
- unless, formal · + subjunctiveFormalB2
- in case, an eventuality · + conditionalStandardB2
- otherwise, or else · full sentenceStandardB1
- in the event of · + nounFormalB1
- unless, everyday · + indicativeStandardB1
Adding
One more argument, pointing the same way as the last.
- and · full sentenceStandardA1
- moreover · full sentenceStandardB1
- furthermore, formal · full sentenceFormalB2
- besides, another angle · full sentenceFormalB2
- what is more, a reinforcement · full sentenceStandardB2
- moreover, very formal · full sentenceFormalC1
- also, more formal · full sentenceStandardB1
- too, as well · full sentenceStandardA1
- not only, but also · full sentenceFormalB2
- even, an extreme case · + nounFormalC1
Illustration
An example, a case, a proof: what makes the argument visible.
Rephrasing
The same thing, said again and more clearly.
Time order
The order of events, and the order of steps in an argument.
- first · full sentenceStandardA2
- first of all, opens a series · full sentenceFormalB2
- then, the next step · full sentenceStandardA2
- then, no plan implied · full sentenceStandardA2
- lastly, the final point · full sentenceStandardA2
- before, same subject · + infinitiveStandardB1
- before, different subjects · + subjunctiveFormalB2
- after, once · + indicativeFormalC1
- while, at the same time · + indicativeStandardB1
- when, in writing · + indicativeFormalB1
- as soon as · + indicativeStandardB1
- until · + subjunctiveFormalB2
- as, gradually together · + nounFormalC1
Conclusion
The end of the argument: what to retain, and nothing new.
- in conclusion · full sentenceStandardB1
- to conclude · full sentenceStandardB2
- in sum, in one formula · full sentenceFormalB2
- in the end, after all · full sentenceStandardB1
- ultimately, all weighed up · full sentenceFormalC1
- to sum up · full sentenceStandardB2
- all told, adding up · full sentenceStandardB2
- when all is said and done · full sentenceStandardB2
Structure
What announces a plan or changes topic, without arguing anything.
- as regards, a signpost · + nounFormalB2
- as for, the next point · + nounFormalB2
- as far as, very formal · + nounFormalC1
- regarding, administrative · + nounFormalB2
- speaking of, changing topic · + nounStandardB1
- firstly, secondly · full sentenceFormalB2
- firstly, numbered · full sentenceStandardB1
- in the first place, first argument · full sentenceFormalC1
- compared to · + nounStandardB1
- in any case, whatever · full sentenceFormalC1
- at any rate, back to the point · full sentenceStandardB1
- anyway, it changes nothing · full sentenceSpokenB1
Pairs often confused
Two connectors people search together, and what separates them.
- en revanche or par contre in French?
- en effet or en fait in French?
- d'ailleurs or par ailleurs in French?
- car or parce que in French?
- puisque or parce que in French?
- malgré or malgré que in French?
- pendant que or alors que in French?
- tandis que or alors que in French?
- cependant or pourtant in French?
- aussi or donc in French?
- afin de or pour in French?
- en conclusion or enfin in French?