Argumentative vocabulary in French : complete course

What Are Logical Connectors in French?

When you speak or write in French, you need words that link your ideas together. These words are called connecteurs logiques (logical connectors). They help you show relationships between sentences, like cause, consequence, contrast, or addition. Without them, your French sounds choppy and disconnected. With them, your speech and writing flow naturally.

Simple Examples to Get Started

Here are a few everyday examples to show you how logical connectors work in French:

• J’aime le café, mais je ne bois pas de thé. — I like coffee, but I don’t drink tea.
• Il pleut, donc je prends mon parapluie. — It’s raining, so I’m taking my umbrella.
• Elle travaille beaucoup parce que elle veut réussir. — She works hard because she wants to succeed.

Notice how each connector changes the relationship between the two ideas. That’s the power of logical connectors!

The Main Types of Logical Connectors in French

There are several categories of logical connectors in French. Each one expresses a different kind of logical relationship. Let’s explore the main ones.

1. Addition — Adding Ideas

These connectors are used to add information to what you already said.

• et — and
• aussi — also
• de plus — furthermore
• en outre — moreover

Examples:

• J’aime la musique et la danse. — I like music and dancing.
• Il parle français. De plus, il parle espagnol. — He speaks French. Furthermore, he speaks Spanish.

2. Opposition and Contrast — Showing Differences

These connectors introduce an idea that contrasts with the previous one.

• mais — but
• cependant — however
• pourtant — yet / still
• néanmoins — nevertheless

Examples:

• Je voulais sortir, mais il faisait trop froid. — I wanted to go out, but it was too cold.
• Il est fatigué. Cependant, il continue à travailler. — He is tired. However, he keeps working.

3. Cause and Consequence — Explaining Why and What Follows

These connectors show why something happens or what result it produces.

Examples:

• Elle est absente parce qu’elle est malade. — She is absent because she is sick.
• Il a raté son train, donc il est en retard. — He missed his train, so he is late.

Why Logical Connectors Matter in French

You might be wondering: why spend time learning these small words? Here is why they are so important:

• They make you sound more fluent. Native French speakers use connectors constantly. Using them makes your French sound natural.
• They help you express complex ideas. Instead of short, simple sentences, you can build longer and more meaningful ones.
• They are essential for written French. In emails, essays, or formal writing, connectors are expected and necessary.
• They help you pass French exams. At the B1 level and beyond, using connectors correctly is a key evaluation criterion.

Comparison With Other Languages

If you speak English or Spanish, you already know many equivalent connectors. Here is a helpful comparison:

As you can see, many connectors have direct equivalents. However, be careful — the grammar rules around them may differ. For example, parce que is always followed by a subject and a verb, just like ‘because’ in English and ‘porque’ in Spanish.

A Complete Example

Here is a short paragraph using several logical connectors. Read it carefully and notice how the ideas are linked:

J’adore voyager parce que j’aime découvrir de nouvelles cultures. De plus, voyager m’aide à pratiquer les langues étrangères. Cependant, les voyages coûtent cher, donc je dois économiser de l’argent. C’est pourquoi je travaille beaucoup pendant l’année.

Translation: I love travelling because I like discovering new cultures. Furthermore, travelling helps me practise foreign languages. However, travel is expensive, so I have to save money. That is why I work hard during the year.

This paragraph feels natural and well-structured — all thanks to logical connectors!

Key Takeaways

• Logical connectors link ideas and show relationships between them.
• There are four main types: addition, opposition, cause, and consequence.
• Common connectors include et, mais, donc, parce que, cependant and de plus.
• Using connectors makes your French sound more fluent and natural.
• Many French connectors have close equivalents in English and Spanish.
• Practice using at least one connector every time you write or speak in French.

Sources

• Grévisse, M. & Goosse, A. (2011). Le Bon Usage. De Boeck Supérieur. — The reference grammar book for the French language.
• Bescherelle. (2012). La Grammaire pour tous. Hatier. — A comprehensive and accessible French grammar guide.
• Council of Europe. (2020). Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Council of Europe Publishing. — The international standard for language learning and assessment.