à condition que — provided that
Sets a condition.
Always followed by the subjunctive.
Je t'aide, à condition que tu m'expliques.
I'll help you, provided that you explain to me.
Neutral to formal
French connectors
Connect ideas in French. Explore meanings and examples from the FrenchFlow starter library.
alors que — whereas / while
Contrasts two simultaneous facts.
Compares two situations side by side.
Il travaille, alors que moi, je me repose.
He works, whereas I rest.
Neutral
cependant — however
Formal contrast.
Common in writing and formal speech. Often placed after a comma.
Le projet est intéressant ; cependant, il coûte cher.
The project is interesting; however, it is expensive.
Formal
donc — so / therefore
Introduces a consequence.
Links a cause to its result. Very frequent in speech.
Je suis fatigué, donc je rentre.
I'm tired, so I'm going home.
Neutral
mais — but
Introduces a contrast.
The most common way to oppose two ideas. Neutral, works everywhere.
Je voulais sortir, mais il pleuvait.
I wanted to go out, but it was raining.
Everyday
même si — even if
Concession: the result holds anyway.
Followed by the indicative, never the subjunctive.
Je viens, même si je suis en retard.
I'm coming, even if I'm late.
Neutral
parce que — because
Gives a cause.
Answers the question pourquoi ? Becomes parce qu' before a vowel.
Je reste ici parce qu'il fait froid.
I'm staying here because it's cold.
Neutral
pourtant — yet / and yet
Introduces a surprising contrast.
Stronger than mais: the second idea is unexpected given the first.
Il est riche, pourtant il n'est pas heureux.
He is rich, yet he isn't happy.
Neutral
puisque — since / given that
Gives a cause both people already know.
Unlike parce que, the reason is presented as obvious or shared.
Puisque tu es là, aide-moi.
Since you're here, help me.
Neutral
sauf si — unless
Introduces the one exception.
Followed by the indicative. Becomes sauf s' before il / ils.
On sort, sauf si tu es fatigué.
We'll go out, unless you're tired.
Neutral