Les adverbes pour structurer

In French, structuring adverbs usually sit at the beginning of a sentence. They act as a signpost. When you say D'abord, your listener knows a sequence is starting. When you say Enfin, they know you are finishing up. These words are "invariable." This is great news for you! It means they never change. You don't have to worry about if they are masculine, feminine, singular, or plural. They stay exactly the same whether you are talking about one croissant or ten baguettes. You just drop them into the sentence and keep going. Most of the time, we follow them with a small pause in speech or a comma in writing. It gives the listener a second to process the order of events. It’s like a grammar traffic light that keeps the flow of information safe and smooth.

1. 1Using these adverbs is quite simple. You don't need to conjugate anything special! Just follow these steps:
2. 2Pick the correct adverb for your spot in the sequence.
3. 3Place the adverb at the start of your new sentence.
4. 4Add a comma after the adverb (highly recommended for clarity).
5. 5State your subject and your verb as usual.
6. 6Example: D'abord, je mange. (First, I eat.)
7. 7If you want to keep the sequence going, you just repeat the process with the next word. You can use Puis or Ensuite multiple times if you have a long list of actions. Just don't get stuck in an endless loop of "and then, and then"!

Use these adverbs whenever you need to explain a process or a timeline.

• Ordering Food: D'abord, je voudrais une entrée. Ensuite, je voudrais le poulet. (First, I would like a starter. Next, I would like the chicken.)
• Giving Directions: D'abord, tournez à gauche. Puis, allez tout droit. (First, turn left. Then, go straight.)
• Daily Routine: D'abord, je me lève. Ensuite, je prends un café. (First, I get up. Next, I have a coffee.)
• Job Interviews: D'abord, j'ai travaillé à Lyon. Puis, j'ai étudié à Paris. (First, I worked in Lyon. Then, I studied in Paris.)

Anytime you have a "Step 1, Step 2, Step 3" situation, these words are mandatory. They help you stay professional and clear.

Don't use these adverbs when you are just listing items that don't have a specific order. If you are saying what is in your bag, you don't need D'abord. Just use Et (and).

Example: "In my bag, I have a book, a pen, and a phone." No sequence needed here!

Also, avoid using them at the very end of a sentence if you can help it. While some adverbs like finalement can move around, for an A1 learner, keeping them at the start is the safest bet. It keeps your sentence structure predictable and easy to manage. Don't overcomplicate things!

One big mistake is using Après (After) all by itself as a sentence starter like we do in English. In English, we say: "After, I go home." In French, Après usually needs something after it, like Après ça (After that). If you want to say "Then," use Puis or Ensuite instead.

Another common slip-up is forgetting D'abord (First). Many learners start their story with Ensuite (Next). It's like starting a movie in the middle! Always signal the beginning of your list.

Finally, watch out for Finalement. In English, "finally" can mean "at last" (after a long wait). In French, Finalement is often used for a change of plan. If you just want to say "lastly" in a list, Enfin is often a better choice. Yes, even native speakers mess this up sometimes, but you’ll look like a pro if you get it right!

You might wonder about the difference between Puis and Ensuite. Honestly? They are almost identical! Puis is a bit shorter and more common in speaking. Ensuite feels a tiny bit more formal, but you can use them interchangeably.

What about Alors? Alors means "so" or "consequently." Use it when one thing causes the next.

Il pleut, alors je prends un parapluie. (It is raining, so I take an umbrella.)

Use Ensuite when it's just about time.

Je prends mon parapluie. Ensuite, je sors. (I take my umbrella. Next, I go out.)