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Exprimer la conséquence avec des

Connect a situation to its result using fixed words like `donc` or `alors` to sound naturally French.

The Rule in 30 Seconds

  • Use `donc` or `alors` to link a cause to its result.
  • Place the connector between two complete sentences, often after a comma.
  • Choose `alors` for casual speech and `donc` for logical clarity.
  • Never confuse consequence connectors with `parce que` (which explains the cause).

Quick Reference

Connector Tone/Vibe English Equivalent Example
Donc Logical / Neutral So / Therefore Je suis là, donc on commence.
Alors Casual / Narrative So / Then Il pleut, alors je reste ici.
Du coup Informal / Modern So / As a result J'ai oublié, du coup je reviens.
C'est pour ça que Explanatory That's why J'ai faim, c'est pour ça que je mange.
Par conséquent Formal / Writing Consequently Le vol est annulé, par conséquent...
Ainsi Very Formal Thus Il a gagné, ainsi il est célèbre.

关键例句

3 / 8
1

J'ai fini mon travail, donc je sors.

I finished my work, so I am going out.

2

Tu es en retard, alors on commence sans toi.

You are late, so we are starting without you.

3

Je n'ai pas de sucre, c'est pour ça que le gâteau est plat.

I don't have sugar, that's why the cake is flat.

💡

The comma rule

Always try to put a comma before `donc` or `alors`. It gives your sentence a nice little breath, just like in English!

⚠️

Direction matters

Always put the reason BEFORE the connector. If you say `Je mange donc j'ai faim`, you are saying eating causes hunger. Oops!

The Rule in 30 Seconds

  • Use `donc` or `alors` to link a cause to its result.
  • Place the connector between two complete sentences, often after a comma.
  • Choose `alors` for casual speech and `donc` for logical clarity.
  • Never confuse consequence connectors with `parce que` (which explains the cause).

Overview

Life is a series of causes and results. You feel hungry, so you eat. It rains, so you take an umbrella. In French, we call these "results" consequences. Expressing them clearly makes your French sound smooth. You stop sounding like a robot. You start telling a real story. This lesson covers how to link ideas. We will focus on donc, alors, and c'est pour ça que. These are your new best friends. They are the glue of the French language. They help you explain your actions. They help you justify your choices. Think of them as bridges between thoughts. One side is the reason. The other side is the outcome. Let's learn how to build these bridges.

How This Grammar Works

Think of these words like a mathematical equals sign. A + B = C. The first part is your situation. The connector is the sign. The second part is what happens next. It is very logical. You do not need complex conjugation here. You just need the right word. You place the connector between two full sentences. Sometimes you use a comma. Often, you just keep talking. In English, we usually use "so" or "therefore". French has more variety. Each word has a slightly different flavor. Some are for writing. Some are for chatting with friends. Some are for your boss. Learning the vibe of each word is key. It helps you fit into any conversation. You will sound like a pro in no time.

Formation Pattern

  1. 1Start with your first complete sentence (the cause).
  2. 2Add a comma (optional but helpful).
  3. 3Insert your chosen connector like donc or alors.
  4. 4Finish with your second complete sentence (the result).
  5. 5Example structure: [Situation] + [Connector] + [Result].
  6. 6Je suis fatigué + donc + je dors.
  7. 7Il fait beau + alors + je sors.
  8. 8You do not need to change the verbs. You do not need to check gender. The connector stays exactly the same. It is a fixed word. This is the easiest part of French grammar! Just pick the word and drop it in. It is like a grammar Lego piece. It fits perfectly every time.

When To Use It

You use these connectors everywhere. Use them when ordering food. Je n'aime pas la viande, donc je prends la salade. Use them when you are late. Le bus est en retard, alors j'arrive à dix heures. Use them in job interviews to show logic. Je parle trois langues, c'est pour cela que je suis utile. Use them at a party to explain your moves. J'aime cette chanson, du coup je danse. Even native speakers mess this up sometimes by being too formal. Don't worry about being perfect. Just focus on being understood. Use alors when you are speaking. Use donc when you want to sound clear. Use c'est pour ça que when you want to emphasize the reason. It's like choosing the right shoes for an outfit.

When Not To Use It

Do not use these words to start a conversation out of nowhere. You need a context first. Do not confuse consequence with cause. If you want to say "because," use parce que. Consequence looks forward to the result. Cause looks backward to the reason. Don't use par conséquent at a casual dinner. It sounds like you are reading a legal contract. It is too stiff. Avoid using du coup in a very formal letter. It is very popular now, but it is slangy. Think of it like a grammar traffic light. Green means go with donc. Yellow means be careful with du coup. Red means stop and think before using formal terms in a bar. Keep it simple at first.

Common Mistakes

The biggest mistake is mixing up donc and parce que. Remember: donc leads to the result. parce que leads to the reason. Another mistake is using alors too much. It becomes a filler word, like "um" or "so." Try to vary your vocabulary. Some people forget the comma before donc. It is not a crime, but it helps the reader. Don't use c'est pour ça que followed by a noun only. It must be followed by a full sentence with a verb. C'est pour ça que mon retard is wrong. C'est pour ça que je suis en retard is correct. Yes, even native speakers mess this up sometimes. Just take a breath and restart the sentence. It happens to the best of us!

Contrast With Similar Patterns

Let's compare donc and parce que.

  • Consequence: J'ai faim, donc je mange. (Hunger -> Eating).
  • Cause: Je mange parce que j'ai faim. (Eating <- Hunger).

See the difference? The arrow points in opposite directions. Now let's look at alors vs donc. Alors is more common in speech. It feels more natural when telling a story. Donc feels a bit more logical and structured. It is common in both speaking and writing. C'est pour ça que is longer and more emphatic. Use it when the result is very important. It's like using a highlighter on your sentence. Par conséquent is the fancy cousin. Save it for your university essays or official emails. It is the tuxedo of connectors.

Quick FAQ

Q. Is donc more formal than alors?

A. A little bit, but both are fine for daily life.

Q. Can I use du coup at school?

A. Yes, with friends, but maybe not in a formal essay.

Q. Does donc always go in the middle?

A. Usually, yes. It links two ideas together.

Q. What is the most common way to say "so"?

A. Alors or du coup are the winners in casual French.

Q. Can I use donc at the start of a sentence?

A. Yes, if it refers to something said previously.

Reference Table

Connector Tone/Vibe English Equivalent Example
Donc Logical / Neutral So / Therefore Je suis là, donc on commence.
Alors Casual / Narrative So / Then Il pleut, alors je reste ici.
Du coup Informal / Modern So / As a result J'ai oublié, du coup je reviens.
C'est pour ça que Explanatory That's why J'ai faim, c'est pour ça que je mange.
Par conséquent Formal / Writing Consequently Le vol est annulé, par conséquent...
Ainsi Very Formal Thus Il a gagné, ainsi il est célèbre.
💡

The comma rule

Always try to put a comma before `donc` or `alors`. It gives your sentence a nice little breath, just like in English!

⚠️

Direction matters

Always put the reason BEFORE the connector. If you say `Je mange donc j'ai faim`, you are saying eating causes hunger. Oops!

🎯

The 'Du coup' trend

If you move to Paris, you will hear `du coup` a thousand times a day. It's the ultimate 'filler' word for young people.

💬

Formalities

Using `par conséquent` in a text message to a friend is like wearing a tuxedo to a pizza party. Keep it for the boss!

例句

8
#1 J'ai fini mon travail, donc je sors.

J'ai fini mon travail, donc je sors.

Focus: donc

I finished my work, so I am going out.

A very standard and logical use of 'donc'.

#2 Tu es en retard, alors on commence sans toi.

Tu es en retard, alors on commence sans toi.

Focus: alors

You are late, so we are starting without you.

Common in spoken French to explain a decision.

#3 Je n'ai pas de sucre, c'est pour ça que le gâteau est plat.

Je n'ai pas de sucre, c'est pour ça que le gâteau est plat.

Focus: c'est pour ça que

I don't have sugar, that's why the cake is flat.

Used to emphasize the direct cause of the result.

#4 ✗ Je pleure donc je suis triste. → ✓ Je suis triste, donc je pleure.

Je suis triste, donc je pleure.

Focus: donc

I am sad, therefore I cry.

Remember: Situation first, then result.

#5 Le magasin est fermé, du coup je rentre chez moi.

Le magasin est fermé, du coup je rentre chez moi.

Focus: du coup

The shop is closed, so I'm going back home.

Very informal. Use this with your friends.

#6 ✗ Je mange donc j'ai faim. → ✓ J'ai faim, alors je mange.

J'ai faim, alors je mange.

Focus: alors

I am hungry, so I am eating.

Don't swap cause and consequence!

#7 Nous avons un problème technique, par conséquent le train est arrêté.

Nous avons un problème technique, par conséquent le train est arrêté.

Focus: par conséquent

We have a technical problem; consequently, the train is stopped.

Formal announcement style.

#8 Il ne pleut plus, donc nous pouvons aller au parc.

Il ne pleut plus, donc nous pouvons aller au parc.

Focus: donc

It is no longer raining, so we can go to the park.

Clear logic for a shared activity.

自我测试

Choose the best connector to show the result.

Je suis malade, ___ je reste au lit.

✓ 正确! ✗ 不太对。 正确答案: donc

'Je suis malade' is the cause, and 'je reste au lit' is the result. 'Donc' connects them perfectly.

Complete the sentence in a casual way.

Il n'y a plus de pain, ___ je vais à la boulangerie.

✓ 正确! ✗ 不太对。 正确答案: alors

'Alors' is the most natural way to express consequence in a daily conversation like going to the bakery.

Identify the connector for 'that's why'.

Je t'aime, ___ je t'offre ces fleurs.

✓ 正确! ✗ 不太对。 正确答案: c'est pour ça que

'C'est pour ça que' translates to 'that's why' and explains the action of giving flowers.

🎉 得分: /3

视觉学习工具

Cause vs. Consequence

Cause (Why?)
parce que because
car for/because
Consequence (Result)
donc so
alors then

Which connector should I use?

1

Is it a formal situation (email/job)?

YES ↓
NO
Use 'alors' or 'du coup'.
2

Is it very logical/mathematical?

YES ↓
NO
Use 'par conséquent'.

Scenarios and Connectors

At the Café

  • alors
  • du coup
💼

At Work

  • donc
  • c'est pour cela que
📖

In a Book

  • par conséquent
  • ainsi

常见问题

22 个问题

It refers to the result of an action. For example, if you forget your keys, the consequence is you are locked out.

Yes, donc is the standard word for 'so' or 'therefore'. It works in almost every situation.

Use alors when you are speaking. It feels more natural and conversational than donc.

It usually goes right in the middle. It links the cause (first) to the result (second).

Yes, if you are concluding a thought. For example: Donc, on y va ? (So, are we going?).

Donc is more about logic. Alors is more about the flow of time or a story.

It is a very common informal way to say 'so' or 'suddenly'. It is extremely popular in modern French.

Not in casual speech. It is mostly for formal writing, like business letters or academic papers.

Use c'est pour ça que in casual French. Use c'est pour cela que in more formal French.

It is better to use one. For example: Il fait froid, donc je ferme la fenêtre.

Not in the same link. Use one to show the reason or the other to show the result.

In speech, people often just use alors or even a pause. But connectors make you clearer.

No, it is an invariable word. It never changes spelling, no matter what.

You usually pronounce the 'c' at the end. It sounds like 'don-k'.

Yes, donc and alors are perfect for emails to friends.

You can just say two sentences. But adding donc makes you sound much more fluent.

Yes! Tu es fatigué, donc tu ne viens pas ? (You are tired, so you aren't coming?).

No, ainsi is very literary. You will see it in books but rarely hear it in a cafe.

Try to avoid it. One connector per link is enough to be clear.

No! It sounds similar, but it means 'so'. Don't let the sound confuse you!

Start with donc. It is short, easy to remember, and always correct.

Yes, it connects two clauses that both have verbs. For example: Je vois, donc je crois.

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