Pairs often confused
en effet or en fait in French?
They do not say the same thing: en effet CONFIRMS what came before, en fait CORRECTS it.
Why
En effet gives the REASON for what was just claimed: the next sentence agrees. En fait announces that reality is OTHER than believed: the next sentence contradicts. English "in fact" does not split the same way, which is where the confusion comes from.
en effet
Le train était bondé. En effet, c'était un vendredi soir.
The train was packed. Indeed, it was a Friday evening.
en fait
On dit cette formation payante ; en fait, elle est gratuite.
This course is said to cost money; in fact, it is free.