Logical connectors: "Donc, Alors, Aussi..."

1. What are logical connectors?

• Logical connectors link two ideas in a sentence.
• They show a relation: result, reason, addition.
• In this lesson you see:
  donc, alors, aussi, parce que, comme

Think: they work a bit like English so, then, also, because, as.

2. The big picture: which connector for which idea?

• To choose: first ask yourself: Am I giving a result, a reason, or an extra fact?

3. Result: donc vs alors

Both can often be translated by so in English, but they are used a bit differently.

• donc → clear, logical consequence.
  • Il pleut, donc je prends un parapluie.
    = It is raining, so I take an umbrella.
• alors → consequence or the next step in a story.
  • Il est fatigué, alors il dort.
    = He is tired, so/then he sleeps.
  • Je rentre à la maison, alors je cuisine.
    = I go home, then I cook.

Word order with donc / alors:

• Usually in the middle of the sentence, after the first idea.
  • J’ai faim, donc je mange.
  • Il pleut, alors nous restons à la maison.

Quick choice

• When you explain a logical reason > result: prefer donc.
• When you tell a story, sequence of actions: alors sounds very natural.

4. Addition: aussi

• aussi adds information: “also, too”.

Typical positions at A1 (keep it simple):

• After the verb:
  • J’ai un chien. J’ai aussi un chat.
    = I have a dog. I also have a cat.
• Or just before the noun group:
  • J’ai aussi un chat.

Avoid this at A1:

• Aussi j’ai un chat. (wrong / sounds very unusual here)

Tip: Think “I say the verb first, then I add aussi”.

5. Reason: parce que vs comme

Both mean a kind of “because”, but they do not go in the same place.

• parce que = because
  • Used in the middle of the sentence.
  • Je reste à la maison parce que je suis malade.
    = I stay at home because I am ill.
• comme = as / since
  • Used at the beginning of the sentence.
  • Comme je suis malade, je reste à la maison.
    = As I am ill, I stay at home.

Important: do not mix their positions.

• Je reste à la maison, comme je suis malade. (sounds odd at A1: prefer parce que here)
• Parce que je suis malade, je reste à la maison. (possible in French, but more advanced; for A1 keep parce que in the middle)

For now, use this simple rule:

• Reason at the end → use parce que.
• Reason at the start → use comme.

6. Word order: where do I put the connector?

At A1, you can follow these simple patterns.

1. Result in the second part
   • Pattern: [cause], donc / alors [result].
   • Example: Il fait froid, donc je mets un manteau.
   • Example: Je suis fatigué, alors je me couche tôt.
2. Reason in the second part
   • Pattern: [result] parce que [reason].
   • Example: Je me couche tôt parce que je suis fatigué.
   • Example: Je reste au bureau parce que j’ai beaucoup de travail.
3. Reason in the first part
   • Pattern: Comme [reason], [result].
   • Example: Comme il pleut, je prends le bus.
   • Example: Comme je travaille tard, je dîne au bureau.
4. Addition
   • Pattern: Je [verb] aussi [complement].
   • Example: Je lis le journal. Je lis aussi des blogs.

7. Quick “English help words” to choose fast

When you are not sure, think first in English, then choose the French connector:

8. Typical mistakes and how to avoid them

• Confusing result and reason
  • Je suis fatigué parce que je travaille tard, donc je travaille tard. (meaning becomes strange)
  • Better: Je travaille tard, donc je suis fatigué.
  • Or: Je suis fatigué parce que je travaille tard.
• Starting with “Aussi”
  • Aussi je vais au cinéma.
  • Better: Je vais aussi au cinéma.
• Using “parce que” at the start at A1
  • Parce que je suis en retard, je prends un taxi. (correct French, but keep it for later levels)
  • At A1 prefer:
    • Je prends un taxi parce que je suis en retard.
    • or Comme je suis en retard, je prends un taxi.

9. Step-by-step: how to build your own sentence

1. Think of two ideas you want to connect.
   Example: Je travaille tard. + Je suis fatigué.
2. Decide the relation:
   • result? reason? addition?
   Here: “I work late, so I am tired” → result.
3. Choose the connector:
   • result → donc (or alors).
4. Apply the pattern:
   [cause], donc [result].
   • → Je travaille tard, donc je suis fatigué.
5. Self-check: replace the connector by the English help word in your head.
   • “I work late, so I am tired” → OK.

10. Self-check: can you do this now?

• Can you choose between donc / alors for a result or next step?
• Can you use aussi to add information after the verb?
• Can you explain a reason with parce que in the middle of the sentence?
• Can you start a sentence with comme to put the reason first?

If you answer “yes” to most questions, you are ready to use these connectors in conversation and focus on practice in class.