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40 French Linking Words to Sound More Natural
Key takeaway: a good French connector is not about sounding “more complicated.” It shows clearly how your ideas fit together. Learn these expressions by function and pay attention to register before using them.
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Commencer à pratiquer
You already know mais, et, donc, and parce que. They are essential, but repeating them in every sentence can make your French sound choppy. Native speakers use a much wider range of linking expressions to organize a story, add a point, qualify an opinion, or draw a conclusion.
Here are 40 connectors selected for their real-life usefulness. For each one, you will find its nuance, register, and a natural French example, followed by an English translation. Do not memorize the whole list at once: pick two or three expressions that suit the way you speak and try them this week.
In this article
Organizing your ideas
These connectors give your story a clear direction without making it sound like an essay.
1. D’abord
How to use it: Introduces the first step or point naturally.
Register: Neutral and very common in both speech and writing.
Example: « D’abord, on prend un café, et après je te montre le quartier. »
→ First, we’ll have a coffee, and then I’ll show you around the neighborhood.
2. En premier lieu
How to use it: Presents the first element in a structured argument.
Register: Rather formal; useful in meetings, presentations, and structured writing.
Example: « En premier lieu, il faut vérifier que tout le monde est disponible. »
→ First of all, we need to check that everyone is available.
3. Pour commencer
How to use it: Opens an explanation, activity, or sequence of actions.
Register: Neutral and friendly; less academic than “en premier lieu.”
Example: « Pour commencer, raconte-moi comment s’est passé ton entretien. »
→ To start with, tell me how your interview went.
4. Ensuite
How to use it: Moves a timeline forward or introduces the next logical point.
Register: Neutral and versatile.
Example: « On a visité le marché, ensuite on s’est promenés le long du canal. »
→ We visited the market, then we walked along the canal.
5. Puis
How to use it: Links two actions in a smooth, concise way.
Register: Very common; often lighter than “ensuite” in a story.
Example: « Elle a réfléchi quelques secondes, puis elle a accepté. »
→ She thought for a few seconds, then she agreed.
6. D’une part… d’autre part
How to use it: Presents two complementary or contrasting sides of the same issue.
Register: Neutral to formal; the two halves are generally used together.
Example: « D’une part, ce poste est passionnant ; d’autre part, il exige beaucoup de déplacements. »
→ On the one hand, the job is exciting; on the other, it requires a lot of travel.
7. Quant à
How to use it: Shifts the focus to a person or topic that has already been identified.
Register: Neutral; used before a noun or stressed pronoun.
Example: « Le dessert est prêt. Quant au café, je le ferai au dernier moment. »
→ Dessert is ready. As for the coffee, I’ll make it at the last minute.
8. Au fil de
How to use it: Shows a gradual development over time or throughout an experience.
Register: Neutral, with a narrative feel.
Example: « Au fil de la conversation, on s’est rendu compte qu’on avait des amis en commun. »
→ As the conversation went on, we realized we had friends in common.
Adding an idea
To build on what you are saying, choose the connector according to the emphasis and register you need.
9. De plus
How to use it: Adds an argument that reinforces the previous one.
Register: Neutral to formal; common in explanations and professional exchanges.
Example: « L’appartement est lumineux. De plus, il est juste à côté du métro. »
→ The apartment is bright. What’s more, it’s right next to the metro.
10. En outre
How to use it: Introduces an additional element in an argument.
Register: Formal and mainly written; it can sound quite formal in conversation.
Example: « Cette solution coûte moins cher ; en outre, elle est plus simple à mettre en place. »
→ This solution costs less; moreover, it is easier to implement.
11. Par ailleurs
How to use it: Adds a related point while opening up a slightly different angle.
Register: Neutral to formal; common at work and in the media.
Example: « Le projet avance bien. Par ailleurs, deux nouveaux partenaires nous ont contactés. »
→ The project is going well. In addition, two new partners have contacted us.
12. Qui plus est
How to use it: Adds a striking fact that makes the argument even stronger.
Register: Formal, with clear emphasis.
Example: « Il est arrivé sans prévenir et, qui plus est, avec une heure de retard. »
→ He showed up without warning and, what’s more, an hour late.
13. De surcroît
How to use it: Adds another argument, often presented as decisive.
Register: Very formal; useful in writing and uncommon in relaxed conversation.
Example: « Le délai est trop court et, de surcroît, le budget a été réduit. »
→ The deadline is too short and, on top of that, the budget has been cut.
14. Sans compter que
How to use it: Adds an important factor that could almost have been left unmentioned.
Register: Common and expressive, especially in speech.
Example: « Le trajet est long, sans compter qu’il y a souvent des embouteillages. »
→ The journey is long, not to mention that there are often traffic jams.
15. Non seulement… mais aussi
How to use it: Highlights two pieces of information, with the second amplifying the first.
Register: Neutral; keep the grammatical structure parallel on both sides.
Example: « Ce cours m’a non seulement aidée à parler, mais aussi à mieux comprendre les Français. »
→ This course not only helped me speak, but also understand French people better.
16. À cela s’ajoute
How to use it: Attaches an additional factor to a situation already described.
Register: Neutral to formal; useful when analyzing a situation.
Example: « Les loyers ont augmenté. À cela s’ajoute le prix de l’énergie. »
→ Rents have gone up. Added to that is the cost of energy.
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Contrasting and qualifying
Nuance is often what takes your French from correct to genuinely natural.
17. Pourtant
How to use it: Signals a fact or outcome that goes against what was expected.
Register: Neutral and frequent in both speech and writing.
Example: « Il avait très peu dormi. Pourtant, il était de bonne humeur. »
→ He had slept very little. Yet he was in a good mood.
18. Cependant
How to use it: Introduces a reservation or contrast in a measured way.
Register: Neutral to formal; more formal than “mais.”
Example: « L’idée est intéressante. Cependant, elle mérite d’être testée avant le lancement. »
→ The idea is interesting. However, it should be tested before launch.
19. Néanmoins
How to use it: Acknowledges the previous point while maintaining an objection.
Register: Formal and common in reasoned arguments.
Example: « La tâche est difficile ; néanmoins, elle reste tout à fait réalisable. »
→ The task is difficult; nevertheless, it remains entirely feasible.
20. En revanche
How to use it: Contrasts two realities, often balancing a drawback with an advantage.
Register: Neutral and highly idiomatic.
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Example: « Le restaurant est un peu bruyant. En revanche, la cuisine est excellente. »
→ The restaurant is a little noisy. On the other hand, the food is excellent.
21. Par contre
How to use it: Introduces a direct contrast in conversation.
Register: Common in speech and less formal than “en revanche”; avoid it in highly formal writing.
Example: « Je ne peux pas venir ce soir. Par contre, je suis libre demain midi. »
→ I can’t come tonight. But I’m free tomorrow at lunchtime.
22. Certes… mais
How to use it: Concedes one point before limiting or challenging it.
Register: Neutral to formal; very useful for diplomatic disagreement.
Example: « Certes, le quartier est loin du centre, mais il est très bien desservi. »
→ Admittedly, the neighborhood is far from downtown, but it has excellent transport links.
23. Même si
How to use it: Introduces an obstacle or concession that does not change the main outcome.
Register: Very common; it takes the indicative in French, not the subjunctive.
Example: « Même si je finis tard, je passerai te dire bonjour. »
→ Even if I finish late, I’ll stop by to say hello.
24. Cela dit
How to use it: Adds a reservation after an opinion, usually in a flexible, conversational tone.
Register: Very natural in speech; lighter than “ceci étant dit.”
Example: « Le film est un peu long. Cela dit, les acteurs sont formidables. »
→ The film is a little long. That said, the actors are fantastic.
Expressing cause and consequence
These expressions make the logical link explicit: why something happens and what it leads to.
25. Puisque
How to use it: Introduces a reason treated as known, obvious, or already shared.
Register: Neutral; it can also introduce a very natural suggestion.
Example: « Puisque tu es déjà dans le quartier, passe prendre un café. »
→ Since you’re already in the neighborhood, stop by for a coffee.
26. Étant donné que
How to use it: Introduces an objective fact used as the starting point for reasoning.
Register: Neutral to formal; common in professional contexts.
Example: « Étant donné que le train est annulé, la réunion commencera plus tard. »
→ Given that the train has been canceled, the meeting will start later.
27. Faute de
How to use it: Indicates that a situation results from a lack of something.
Register: Neutral to formal; followed by a noun or an infinitive.
Example: « Faute de temps, on a reporté la discussion à lundi. »
→ For lack of time, we postponed the discussion until Monday.
28. Grâce à
How to use it: Introduces a positive or beneficial cause.
Register: Neutral; for a negative cause, French usually uses “à cause de.”
Example: « Grâce à tes conseils, j’ai beaucoup mieux préparé mon entretien. »
→ Thanks to your advice, I prepared much better for my interview.
29. C’est pourquoi
How to use it: Introduces a logical consequence, often after a full explanation.
Register: Neutral to formal; clear in presentations and professional messages.
Example: « Nous avons reçu beaucoup de demandes, c’est pourquoi nous ouvrons une deuxième session. »
→ We received many requests, which is why we are opening a second session.
30. Par conséquent
How to use it: Marks a direct consequence in formal reasoning.
Register: Formal; more written and analytical than “donc.”
Example: « Le dossier est incomplet ; par conséquent, il ne peut pas encore être validé. »
→ The file is incomplete; consequently, it cannot yet be approved.
31. Du coup
How to use it: Expresses an immediate consequence in conversation.
Register: Extremely common and informal in speech; use sparingly and avoid it in formal writing.
Example: « J’ai raté le dernier bus, du coup je suis rentré à pied. »
→ I missed the last bus, so I walked home.
32. Si bien que
How to use it: Links a cause to its concrete result, often after a developing situation.
Register: Neutral and especially smooth in storytelling.
Example: « On a parlé pendant des heures, si bien qu’on n’a pas vu le temps passer. »
→ We talked for hours, so much so that we lost track of time.
Rephrasing and concluding
When an idea needs clarifying or wrapping up, these connectors help you land your point naturally.
33. Autrement dit
How to use it: Rephrases an idea to make it clearer or reveal its implication.
Register: Neutral and common in explanations.
Example: « Le poste exige une présence trois jours par semaine. Autrement dit, le télétravail n’est que partiel. »
→ The role requires you to be on-site three days a week. In other words, remote work is only partial.
34. En d’autres termes
How to use it: Gives a new, often more precise formulation of what was just said.
Register: Neutral to formal; slightly more formal than “autrement dit.”
Example: « Le paiement est différé ; en d’autres termes, vous ne serez débité que le mois prochain. »
→ Payment is deferred; in other words, you will not be charged until next month.
35. C’est-à-dire
How to use it: Immediately clarifies the meaning of a word, number, or statement.
Register: Neutral and extremely common; it fits inside the same sentence.
Example: « On se retrouve en fin d’après-midi, c’est-à-dire vers 17 heures. »
→ We’ll meet in the late afternoon, that is, around 5 p.m.
36. En clair
How to use it: Turns an explanation into a simple, direct, concrete message.
Register: Common and expressive; it can introduce a rather blunt conclusion.
Example: « En clair, si on ne réserve pas aujourd’hui, les prix vont augmenter. »
→ Put simply, if we don’t book today, prices will go up.
37. Au fond
How to use it: Brings the discussion back to the essential idea or a deeper truth.
Register: Neutral and common in personal reflection.
Example: « Au fond, ce qui me plaît dans ce métier, c’est le contact avec les gens. »
→ Deep down, what I like about this job is the contact with people.
38. En somme
How to use it: Summarizes several elements in one concise conclusion.
Register: Neutral to formal; polished in presentations and writing.
Example: « En somme, l’équipe est motivée, le budget est prêt et le calendrier tient la route. »
→ All in all, the team is motivated, the budget is ready, and the schedule is realistic.
39. Bref
How to use it: Cuts through the details to return to the main point or end a story.
Register: Very common in speech; the tone can be lively, knowing, or slightly impatient.
Example: « On a changé de salle, rappelé tout le monde et commandé des pizzas… Bref, la soirée ne s’est pas passée comme prévu. »
→ We changed rooms, called everyone back, and ordered pizzas… Long story short, the evening didn’t go as planned.
40. Tout compte fait
How to use it: Expresses a conclusion reached after reflection or a change of mind.
Register: Neutral and natural in conversation.
Example: « Tout compte fait, je vais rester une nuit de plus. »
→ On second thought, I’m going to stay one more night.
A simple way to remember them: make one true sentence about your day using a connector, say it aloud, and then reuse the same connector in a message. Personal context anchors the expression much better than an isolated translation.
How to make them part of your French
You do not need a sophisticated connector in every sentence. In spoken French, variety makes the difference: a simple mais can sit next to cela dit, while donc can give way to du coup in a relaxed exchange or par conséquent in a formal context. Choose the expression that truly reflects the relationship between your ideas, and your French will immediately sound smoother.
Ready to speak French more smoothly?
Ohlala books turn everyday grammar and vocabulary into simple habits, with clear explanations and examples you can actually use.
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