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Dès lors que: “once” or “given that” in French

Edited by Chris Lee · Updated · About the library

A compact guide to dès lors que: a starting condition, an accepted reason and the indicative. Compare dès que and dès lors, then check four examples.

The short answer

Dès lors que means “once” a condition holds, or “given that” a statement is the basis for a conclusion. It takes the indicative: Dès lors que les réponses sont identiques, une seule suffit.

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A team begins a discussion as the last colleague takes a seat.
The team can start dès lors que everyone is ready. Illustration: Atelier

Dès lors que · deux lectures

1 · A starting condition: once

The first clause names what makes the next step possible. Here, having the information opens the way to the team’s next action.

Nous pourrons commencer dès lors que chacun aura les informations nécessaires.We will be able to start once everyone has the necessary information.

2 · A reason: given that

The first clause gives a premise for the judgement. Read it as “given that” or “since” when the reasoning matters more than a starting moment.

Dès lors que les deux réponses sont identiques, une seule suffit.Given that the two answers are identical, one is enough.

3 · Keep the indicative

Use the tense that matches the situation. Sont is present; aura is future. Compare à condition que, which takes the subjunctive.

Dès lors qu’elle connaît la procédure, elle peut nous aider.Given that she knows the procedure, she can help us.

4 · Dès que highlights timing

Choose dès que for a direct “as soon as” instruction. Dès lors que often suits a more formal statement about when a rule or conclusion applies.

Dès que tu auras fini, préviens-moi.As soon as you have finished, let me know.

5 · Dès lors can stand alone

With que, add a subject and a conjugated verb. Without que, dès lors can mean “from then on” or “consequently”.

L’équipe a adopté une autre méthode. Dès lors, les échanges sont devenus plus simples.The team adopted another method. From then on, discussions became easier.

Does dès lors que mean “once” or “given that”?

What the next clause contributes
FrenchLink
Dès lors que tout le monde est d’accord, nous pouvons avancer.Given that: agreement is the premise.
Dès que tout le monde aura répondu, nous avancerons.As soon as: all replies trigger the next step.
Tout le monde est d’accord. Nous pouvons dès lors avancer.Consequently: the conclusion comes second.

The last sentence places dès lors inside the conclusion. In the first, dès lors que introduces the premise itself. The word que changes the structure, so keep the complete expression together when reading a long sentence. Before elle or il, write dès lors qu’elle or dès lors qu’il.

Question 1No account needed
The two answers are identical. What does the first clause contribute?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

A premise for keeping one answer.. Identical answers are the stated basis for the judgement that one is enough.

Question 2No account needed
Complete the future starting condition.Nous commencerons dès lors que chacun ___ les informations.

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

aura. Dès lors que uses the indicative. Aura is future indicative with singular chacun.

Question 3No account needed
Which expression can mean “consequently” on its own?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

dès lors. Dès lors can link to a conclusion without introducing a subordinate clause.

Question 4No account needed
Which is the complete clause?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

dès lors que la réponse est connue. La réponse est connue has a subject and conjugated verb after que.

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