Gap-fill
D'ailleurs or par ailleurs: supporting a point or adding another one?
Complete French paragraphs with d’ailleurs and par ailleurs. Distinguish a supporting afterthought from an additional aspect, using full context.
- B2
- 4 gaps
- Translation included
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In short
D’ailleurs often adds a supporting afterthought or reminder; par ailleurs introduces another aspect or additional point. Neither is a routine translation of “however”. Their meanings can overlap, so use the paragraph’s relation rather than a one-word English shortcut.
Yellow the idea to rememberBlue French to learn
The first connector often says, in effect, “and this supports what I just said”. The second often moves sideways to another relevant aspect. In the passages below, the clues identify the intended relation. Use those clues to decide whether the second sentence supports the first point or adds another aspect.
| Connector | Typical move | Example |
|---|---|---|
| d’ailleurs | Add support or a telling afterthought | Le délai paraît court ; plusieurs équipes l’ont d’ailleurs signalé. |
| par ailleurs | Add another aspect | Le délai est fixé. Par ailleurs, le budget reste à valider. |
Un appui ou un autre aspect
Le départ à vingt-trois heures répond à un besoin identifié. Plusieurs salariés ont (supporting afterthought) demandé précisément cet horaire dans leurs réponses. Cette observation renforce le point déjà avancé.
Le calendrier de l’essai est prêt. (another aspect), l’équipe doit encore confirmer le budget. Il s’agit ici d’ajouter une autre question de préparation, et non de présenter le budget comme une objection au calendrier.
Cette formulation me paraît trop générale. Elle a (supporting reminder) déjà été corrigée dans le compte rendu précédent. Le rappel appuie la réserve exprimée.
La salle sera accessible dès dix-huit heures. (separate practical point), les inscriptions se feront en ligne ou à l’accueil. L’information ajoute un autre aspect de l’organisation.
Read it in English
The 11 pm departure meets an identified need. Several employees have, in fact, requested that precise time. This supports the point already made.
The trial timetable is ready. In addition, the team must still confirm the budget. This adds another preparation issue rather than a budget objection to the timetable.
This wording seems too broad. It was, in fact, already corrected in the previous minutes. The reminder supports the reservation.
The room will be accessible from 6 pm. Separately, registration will be online or at reception. This adds another practical aspect.
Use a contrast connector when the relation is contrast
If you mean a difficulty despite a positive fact, cependant or toutefois may be more direct: le calendrier est prêt ; toutefois, le financement manque. That is a different relationship from listing two preparation points. The surrounding argument decides the force, not the mere position at the start of a sentence.
When revising, read the sentences without the connector. Name their logical relation in plain English, then choose the French link that makes that relation explicit. This prevents an elegant phrase from introducing an argument the paragraph does not actually make.