Logical connectors in French (les connecteurs logiques) are words or phrases used to link ideas, sentences, or paragraphs. They help give coherence, structure, and clarity to writing or speech. These connectors are essential for making arguments, explaining ideas, or describing relationships between concepts.

1. Categories of Logical Connectors

Addition (Adding Information)

• et – and
• de plus – moreover, in addition
• en outre – furthermore
• également – also
• non seulement… mais aussi – not only… but also

Example:

• Il aime lire, et il adore écrire. (He likes reading, and he loves writing.)

Cause (Expressing Cause or Reason)

• parce que – because
• car – for, because
• puisque – since, as
• à cause de – because of (negative connotation)
• grâce à – thanks to (positive connotation)

Example:

• Elle est restée chez elle parce qu’il pleuvait. (She stayed home because it was raining.)

Consequence (Expressing Result)

• donc – so, therefore
• alors – so, then
• par conséquent – consequently
• ainsi – thus, so
• c’est pourquoi – that’s why

Example:

• Il faisait froid, donc nous sommes partis. (It was cold, so we left.)

Comparison (Expressing Similarity or Contrast)

• comme – like, as
• de même que – just as
• autant que – as much as
• tandis que – whereas
• alors que – while

Example:

• Elle chante aussi bien que lui. (She sings as well as he does.)

Opposition (Expressing Contrast)

• mais – but
• cependant – however
• pourtant – yet, however
• néanmoins – nevertheless
• au contraire – on the contrary

Example:

• Il voulait venir, mais il était malade. (He wanted to come, but he was sick.)

Condition (Expressing Hypothesis)

• si – if
• à condition que – provided that
• au cas où – in case
• pourvu que – as long as
• sinon – otherwise

Example:

• Si tu étudies, tu réussiras. (If you study, you will succeed.)

Time (Expressing Sequence or Timing)

• avant que – before
• après que – after
• quand – when
• lorsque – when, while
• en même temps que – at the same time as

Example:

• Nous partirons quand il arrivera. (We will leave when he arrives.)

2. Tips for Using Logical Connectors in French

• Match the Register: Some connectors are formal (néanmoins), while others are informal (alors). Choose based on the context.
• Pay Attention to Word Order: Many connectors (like parce que or si) require specific sentence structures.
• Use Variety: To avoid repetition, vary your connectors and group similar ones for a smoother flow.

You can take the multiple-choice quiz.

Les connecteurs logiques are used in French to link sentences and paragraphs and to clarify the relationship between different ideas. Examples include words and phrases like “donc” (therefore), “par conséquent” (consequently), and “toutefois” (however). These logical connectors help make texts more coherent and understandable.