Teaching guidelines +/- 15 minutes

This lesson teaches basic French logical connectors such as donc, alors, aussi, parce que, and comme. It explains how these words link ideas and reasons within sentences, providing clear examples. Students will learn the grammatical nature of these connectors and their appropriate use, helping to improve sentence flow and coherence. Key differences from English usage are highlighted to aid understanding.
  1. Logical connectors can be of different types. They can be adverbs, prepositions, coordinating conjunctions, or noun phrases.
Connecteur (Connector)Exemples (Examples)
Donc (Therefore)J'ai faim donc je mange.
Alors (So)Il est fatigué alors il dort. 
Aussi (Also)J'ai aussi un chat 
Parce que (Because)Je suis fatigué parce que j'ai mal dormi.
Comme (As)Comme il pleut, je suis mouillé.

Exercise 1: Les connecteurs logiques : "Donc, Alors, Aussi..."

Instruction: Fill in the correct word.

Show translation Show answers

aussi, parce que, Comme, donc/alors

1. Conséquence :
J'ai un chien et une chienne ... j'ai des chiots.
(I have a male dog and a female dog, so I have puppies.)
2. Conséquence :
Les chiens courent, ... ils sont fatigués.
(The dogs run, so they are tired.)
3. Cause en début de phrase :
... elle court vite, je la garde en laisse.
(Because she runs fast, I keep her on a lead.)
4. Cause expliquée :
Je brosse mon chat ... je le promène souvent.
(I brush my cat because I often take him for a walk.)
5. Cause en début de phrase :
... il y a des souris, mon chat court beaucoup.
(Since there are mice, my cat runs a lot.)
6. Addition d'une information :
J'ai trois chats et un oiseau. J'ai ... des poissons rouges.
(I have three cats and a bird. I also have goldfish.)
7. Cause en début de phrase :
... le chat est en laisse, il ne court plus.
(Since the cat is on a lead, it no longer runs.)
8. Conséquence :
Mon chat mange les souris ... il n'y en a plus.
(My cat eats mice, so/therefore there are no more.)

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice

Instruction: Choose the correct solution

1. J'ai un chien ___ je le promène tous les jours.

(I have a dog ___ I walk him every day.)

2. Je brosse mon chat ___ pour qu'il soit propre.

(I brush my cat ___ so that he is clean.)

3. Je promène mon chien ___ il a besoin de courir.

(I walk my dog ___ he needs to run.)

4. Mon oiseau chante ___ je suis content.

(My bird sings ___ I am happy.)

5. Je donne une petite souris à mon chat ___ il aime ça.

(I give a little mouse to my cat ___ he likes it.)

6. J'ai ___ un poisson et une tortue à la maison.

(I have ___ a fish and a turtle at home.)

Introduction to Logical Connectors in French

Logical connectors are essential elements in French that link ideas, actions, or reasons within sentences. They serve to create coherence and smooth transitions, making your communication clearer and more natural. This lesson focuses on commonly used logical connectors such as donc, alors, aussi, parce que, and comme.

Key Connectors and Examples

  • Donc (therefore): J'ai faim donc je mange.
  • Alors (so/then): Il est fatigué alors il dort.
  • Aussi (also): J'ai aussi un chat.
  • Parce que (because): Je suis fatigué parce que j'ai mal dormi.
  • Comme (since/as): Comme il pleut, je suis mouillé.

Understanding the Role of Connectors

These connectors can take on different grammatical forms such as adverbs, prepositions, coordinating conjunctions, or noun phrases. They help indicate cause, consequence, addition, and comparison.

Using these connectors correctly will improve your ability to express logical relationships in French both in writing and speaking, essential for everyday conversations and more formal contexts.

Important Notes on Usage and Differences

Unlike English, some French connectors have more flexible positions within a sentence and can carry subtle differences in meaning. For example, donc emphasizes consequence similarly to "therefore," but can also be used in spoken language as a mild filler. Alors often implies temporal sequence or result akin to "so" or "then." Comme is commonly placed at the beginning of a sentence to mean "since" or "as," differing from English usage where "because" or "since" can often appear mid-sentence.

Useful phrases:

  • J'ai faim donc je mange. – I am hungry, so I eat.
  • Il est fatigué alors il dort. – He is tired, so he sleeps.
  • Je suis fatigué parce que j'ai mal dormi. – I am tired because I slept poorly.
  • Comme il pleut, je suis mouillé. – Since it’s raining, I am wet.

Mastering these connectors will significantly enhance your French fluency and help create more cohesive, natural sentences.

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This content has been designed and reviewed by the coLanguage pedagogical team: About coLanguage

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Azéline Perrin

Bachelor Degree in Applied Foreign Languages

Université de Lorraine

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Last Updated:

Thursday, 29/05/2025 16:01