10 Common French phrases: Expressing cause and effect
In French, it’s important to be able to express cause and effect in order to communicate effectively. Being able to express why something happened or the consequences of an action can help you have deeper conversations and express your ideas more clearly.
In this lesson, we’ll go over 10 common French phrases for expressing cause and effect.
- À cause de (Because of) This phrase is used to indicate the reason behind something.
Example: Je suis en retard à cause du trafic. (I’m late because of traffic.)
- Grâce à (Thanks to) This phrase is used to indicate a positive cause or reason.
Example: J’ai réussi grâce à tes conseils. (I succeeded thanks to your advice.)
- Pour que (So that) This phrase is used to indicate the purpose or reason behind an action.
Example: J’étudie le français pour que je puisse voyager en France. (I’m studying French so that I can travel in France.)
- Tellement (So much) This word is used to express the intensity or extent of something.
Example: Il a travaillé tellement qu’il est fatigué. (He worked so much that he is tired.)
- Donc (So) This word is used to indicate a conclusion or result.
Example: Il pleut, donc je vais rester à la maison. (It’s raining, so I’m going to stay at home.)
- Alors (Then) This word is used to connect a cause to its effect.
Example: J’ai raté mon bus, alors je suis en retard. (I missed my bus, then I’m late.)
- Par conséquent (Consequently) This phrase is used to indicate the result or consequence of an action.
Example: J’ai mangé trop de gâteau, par conséquent j’ai mal au ventre. (I ate too much cake, consequently I have a stomach ache.)
- Vu que (Given that) This phrase is used to introduce a cause or reason.
Example: Vu que j’ai beaucoup de travail, je ne peux pas sortir ce soir. (Given that I have a lot of work, I can’t go out tonight.)
- Aussi (Also) This word is used to connect a cause to its effect or consequence.
Example: Il a raté son examen, aussi il doit le repasser. (He failed his exam, also he has to retake it.)
- Conséquemment (As a result) This phrase is used to indicate the result or consequence of an action.
Example: Il a perdu son travail, conséquemment il a des difficultés financières. (He lost his job, as a result he has financial difficulties.)
Learning these common French phrases for expressing cause and effect will help you to communicate more effectively and clearly in a variety of situations. Additionally, it is helpful to learn basic French vocabulary and grammar rules to build your language skills. With practice and persistence, you’ll soon be able to express cause and effect with ease in French.