Can I open the interactive lesson?

Yes. Use the lesson button to practise the topic with interactive exercises and progress tracking.

French Grammar

Logical Connectors of Consequence (donc, alors, c'est pourquoi, par conséquent)

Q: What level is Logical Connectors of Consequence (donc, alors, c'est pourquoi, par conséquent)?

This lesson is designed for B1 learners and can still help a learner revising the topic at another level.

Expressing results, conclusions, and logical outcomes using the appropriate consequence connector.

Level B1 Category Grammar

Start Interactive Lesson

Lesson Summary

Expressing results, conclusions, and logical outcomes using the appropriate consequence connector.

Grammar

Introducing a Consequence

Connectors of cause are presented in logical connectors of cause. The present lesson treats the complementary set of expressions that introduce a result or conclusion. These connectors answer the question ‘What happened as a result?’ and allow the speaker to construct a logical chain of reasoning.

Consequence Connectors

Connector	Meaning	Register	Example
donc	so / therefore	Neutral (spoken and written)	Je n’ai pas reçu le dossier, donc je ne peux pas travailler.
alors	so / then	Informal spoken; also used temporally	Il pleuvait, alors nous sommes restés au bureau.
c’est pourquoi	that’s why	Neutral; introduces a clause	Le projet a pris du retard, c’est pourquoi nous devons faire une réunion.
par conséquent	consequently	Formal; typical of written reports	Les ventes ont baissé. Par conséquent, le budget est réduit.

Position and Punctuation

Donc may be placed either after the conjugated verb (Nous devons donc agir vite.) or at the beginning of the clause (Donc, nous devons agir vite.). Alors frequently opens the clause (Alors, j’ai décidé de…). C’est pourquoi always introduces a new clause and is followed by the subject and verb. Par conséquent is more formal; it can begin a new sentence or be inserted between commas.

Distinction Between Cause and Consequence

It is essential to separate the two logical relations: cause answers the question ‘why?’, while consequence answers ‘so what?’. The same idea can be expressed from either perspective.

- Cause: Je suis fatigué parce que j’ai mal dormi.
- Consequence: J’ai mal dormi, donc je suis fatigué.

The choice of connector determines whether the emphasis is placed on the origin or on the outcome of the situation.

Examples

Le candidat a une excellente expérience. C'est pourquoi nous l'avons embauché.
The connector c’est pourquoi links the cause to the hiring decision.
Nous n'avons pas reçu de réponse du client. Par conséquent, le projet est suspendu.
Par conséquent introduces a formal consequence.

Related searches

These are the main phrases this lesson covers:

Logical Connectors of Consequence (donc, alors, c'est pourquoi, par conséquent)Expressing results, conclusions, and logical outcomes using the appropriate consequence connector.Select the correct consequence marker to articulate the outcome of a situation, adapting the connector to the register and position in the sentence.GrammarB1grammarLearn French GrammarFrench GrammarIntroducing a ConsequenceConnectors of cause are presented in logical connectors of cause. The present lesson treats the complementary set of expressions that introduce a result or conclusion. These connectors answer the question ‘What happened as a result?’ and allow the speaker to construct a logical chain of reasoning.