Formal connectors: or, néanmoins, dès lors, partant
The logic words of essays and speeches
Formal French writing (essays, reports, speeches) relies on connectors that make the logic explicit. Using them precisely is a mark of C2.
Adding and moving on
- De surcroît, le coût est élevé.Moreover, the cost is high.
- Par ailleurs, il faut noter que…Furthermore / On another point…
Contrast and concession
- Il est riche ; néanmoins, il vit simplement.He is rich; nevertheless, he lives simply.
- Il pleuvait ; toutefois, le match a eu lieu.It was raining; however, the match went ahead.
- En revanche, les résultats sont décevants.On the other hand, the results are disappointing.
Reasoning
Or introduces the next step of an argument ("now", "yet"), not a contrast:
- Tous les hommes sont mortels. Or Socrate est un homme. Donc Socrate est mortel.All men are mortal. Now Socrates is a man. So Socrates is mortal.
- Dès lors que vous signez, le contrat est valable.As soon as / given that you sign, the contract is valid.
- Il a menti ; partant, on ne le croit plus.He lied; consequently, nobody believes him any more. (formal)
Concluding
- En définitive, le projet est viable.All things considered, the project is viable.
Or (conjunction) is never followed by a comma in careful writing, and it is not a synonym of mais.
Related: Avant de, sans, au lieu de + infinitive.
Practice
- Tous les hommes sont mortels. _____ Socrate est un homme.Options: Or · Donc · Car
Show the answer
Or — Or introduces the second premise: 'now'.
- Il est riche ; _____, il vit simplement.Options: néanmoins · partant · dès lors
Show the answer
néanmoins
- « Dès lors que » means…Options: since, as soon as / given that · from that moment ago · unless
Show the answer
since, as soon as / given that
- « Il pleuvait ; _____ le match a eu lieu. » (nevertheless)Options: toutefois · partant · or
Show the answer
toutefois
In the app, this lesson is taught one idea at a time with the examples read aloud, followed by questions that explain the rule when you get one wrong. It then comes back for review on later days until you've mastered it.