French Result Connectors: Donc, Par Conséquent, and C'est Pourquoi
Learn to express results in French with donc, par conséquent, c'est pourquoi, and other connectors, and distinguish them from contrast markers like cependant.
By TheaFirst conversations · Yapr Learn
In French, when you want to show that one event or fact leads to another, you use result connectors such as donc, par conséquent, c'est pourquoi, and alors. These words answer the question 'what happened as a result?' They are different from contrast connectors like cependant or pourtant, which introduce an opposing idea rather than a consequence. This lesson teaches you the most common result connectors, their register, and how to use them accurately in sentences.
By the end, you can…
- use donc, par conséquent, c'est pourquoi, and alors to express a result in French.
- distinguish result connectors from contrast connectors like cependant and pourtant.
- choose the appropriate connector based on formality and sentence structure.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Il a plu, donc nous sommes restés à la maison.
It rained, therefore we stayed at home.
eel ah plu, donk noo sohm reh-stay ah lah may-zon
Donc is the most common result connector in everyday spoken and written French. It can also mean 'so' or 'then' in other contexts.
Il a plu, par conséquent, nous sommes restés à la maison.
It rained; consequently, we stayed at home.
eel ah plu, par kon-seh-kahn, noo sohm reh-stay ah lah may-zon
Par conséquent is more formal and is typical of written French, reports, or careful speech. It often appears at the beginning of a clause, set off by commas.
Il a plu, c'est pourquoi nous sommes restés à la maison.
It rained, that's why we stayed at home.
eel ah plu, say poor-kwah noo sohm reh-stay ah lah may-zon
C'est pourquoi is a common and natural way to express 'that is why' or 'as a result'. It is neutral in register and very frequent in both speech and writing.
Il a plu, alors nous sommes restés à la maison.
It rained, so we stayed at home.
eel ah plu, ah-lor noo sohm reh-stay ah lah may-zon
Alors is informal and very common in spoken French. It can also mean 'then' or 'at that time', so context is important.
Il a plu ; en conséquence, nous sommes restés à la maison.
It rained; as a result, we stayed at home.
eel ah plu; ahn kon-seh-kahns, noo sohm reh-stay ah lah may-zon
En conséquence is formal and often used in administrative or technical writing. It emphasizes a logical consequence.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
Result connectors typically join two clauses: the first expresses a cause or fact, the second expresses the consequence. In French, the most common pattern is: [Clause 1], [connector] [Clause 2]. For example: 'Il a plu, donc nous sommes restés à la maison.' You can also place the connector at the beginning of the second clause: 'Il a plu. Par conséquent, nous sommes restés à la maison.' Note that 'donc' can also appear after the verb in a clause for emphasis: 'Nous sommes donc restés à la maison.' This is slightly more formal or literary. 'C'est pourquoi' is always placed at the beginning of the result clause: 'Il a plu, c'est pourquoi nous sommes restés.' 'Alors' is usually placed at the beginning of the result clause in spoken French: 'Il a plu, alors on est restés.'
When to use it
Choose your connector based on register and context. In everyday conversation, 'donc' and 'alors' are the most natural. 'Donc' is neutral and works in both speech and writing. 'Alors' is more informal and common in speech. 'C'est pourquoi' is neutral and very common in both. 'Par conséquent' and 'en conséquence' are formal and typical of written French, such as essays, reports, or news articles. Avoid using 'par conséquent' in casual conversation unless you want to sound very formal. Also, remember that result connectors are not the same as contrast connectors: 'cependant', 'pourtant', and 'en revanche' introduce a contrast or opposition, not a result. For example: 'Il a plu, cependant nous sommes sortis.' (It rained; however, we went out.) Here, the second clause contrasts with the first, so 'cependant' is correct, not 'donc'.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Je n'ai pas étudié, donc j'ai raté l'examen.
I didn't study, therefore I failed the exam.zhuh nay pah ay-too-dyay, donk zhay rah-tay leg-zah-menC'est pourquoi il faut réviser la prochaine fois.
That's why you need to review next time.say poor-kwah eel foh ray-vee-zay lah pro-shen fwahOui, par conséquent, je vais créer un planning.
Yes, consequently, I'm going to create a schedule.wee, par kon-seh-kahn, zhuh vay kray-ay uhn plah-ningBonne idée. Alors, tu seras mieux préparé.
Good idea. So, you'll be better prepared.bon ee-day. ah-lor, too suh-rah myuh pray-pah-rayA little context goes a long way
In French, the choice of result connector can signal formality and regional variation. 'Donc' and 'alors' are used across the Francophone world, but 'alors' is particularly common in informal European French. In Quebec, 'alors' is also used, but 'donc' and 'c'est pourquoi' are equally frequent. 'Par conséquent' is standard in formal writing everywhere. In everyday speech, French speakers often use 'donc' or 'alors' where English speakers might use 'so'. Avoid overusing 'par conséquent' in conversation; it can sound pedantic.
One thing to watch for
Using 'cependant' to mean 'therefore' because it looks similar to 'however' in English.
Try this instead: 'Cependant' means 'however' and introduces a contrast, not a result. For a result, use 'donc', 'par conséquent', 'c'est pourquoi', or 'alors'. Example: 'Il a plu, donc nous sommes restés.' (It rained, therefore we stayed.) Not: 'Il a plu, cependant nous sommes restés.' unless you mean 'It rained; however, we stayed.'
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1Choose the correct connector: 'Il a neigé, ___ les écoles sont fermées.' (donc / cependant)
Show a sample answer
donc
'Donc' expresses a result: it snowed, therefore schools are closed. 'Cependant' would mean 'however', which would imply a contrast, not a consequence.
2Rewrite the sentence using 'par conséquent': 'Le train était en retard, donc nous avons manqué la correspondance.'
Show a sample answer
Le train était en retard, par conséquent, nous avons manqué la correspondance.
'Par conséquent' is a formal synonym of 'donc' in this context. It can replace 'donc' without changing the meaning, though the register becomes more formal.
3What is the difference between 'donc' and 'cependant'?
Show a sample answer
'Donc' means 'therefore' and shows a result; 'cependant' means 'however' and shows a contrast.
These connectors have opposite functions. 'Donc' links a cause to its consequence, while 'cependant' introduces an opposing idea. For example: 'Il a plu, donc nous sommes restés.' vs. 'Il a plu, cependant nous sommes sortis.'
Use 'donc' and 'alors' for everyday results, 'c'est pourquoi' for neutral emphasis, and 'par conséquent' or 'en conséquence' for formal writing. Never confuse them with contrast connectors like 'cependant'.
Progress is saved on this browser.
Practice real time conversations on Yapr for faster learning.
Put today’s French into a conversation with an AI tutor. Speak, make mistakes, and try again.
Practice on Yapr