Teaching guidelines +/- 15 minutes

Master key French logical connectors like "donc" (therefore), "alors" (so), "aussi" (also), "parce que" (because), and "comme" (as) to link ideas and reasons clearly in everyday sentences.
  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

In this lesson, you will learn about common French logical connectors such as donc, alors, aussi, parce que, and comme. These connectors are essential for linking ideas, actions, and reasons in everyday conversations and writing. Understanding how to use them correctly helps you express cause, consequence, addition, and explanation clearly.

What Are Logical Connectors?

Logical connectors are words or phrases that connect different parts of a sentence or ideas to make your communication flow smoothly. In French, logical connectors can take various forms: adverbs, prepositions, coordinating conjunctions, or noun groups.

Examples of Common Connectors

ConnectorExample
DoncJ'ai faim donc je mange.
AlorsIl est fatigué alors il dort.
AussiJ'ai aussi un chat.
Parce queJe suis fatigué parce que j'ai mal dormi.
CommeComme il pleut, je suis mouillé.

How to Use These Connectors

  • Donc is used to express a consequence or result. Example: "J'ai faim donc je mange." (I'm hungry so I eat.)
  • Alors can also indicate a logical consequence or a time reference: "Il est fatigué alors il dort." (He is tired so he sleeps.)
  • Aussi means "also" or "too" and adds information: "J'ai aussi un chat." (I also have a cat.)
  • Parce que provides a reason or cause: "Je suis fatigué parce que j'ai mal dormi." (I am tired because I slept badly.)
  • Comme, when used at the beginning of a sentence, means "as" or "since", explaining a cause: "Comme il pleut, je suis mouillé." (Since it is raining, I am wet.)

Notes on Differences Between French and English Connectors

While many logical connectors in French correspond to English ones, their placement in a sentence often differs. For example, French commonly places comme at the beginning of a sentence to express cause, unlike English which often uses "because" or "since" at the start or middle. Logical connectors like donc and alors both can translate to "so" or "then" depending on context, but usage nuance exists.

Useful phrases include:

  • Donc - "therefore" or "so"
  • Alors - "so", "then", or "well"
  • Aussi - "also", "too"
  • Parce que - "because"
  • Comme - "as", "since" (used at the sentence start for cause)

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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:

Wednesday, 16/07/2025 22:42