Gap-fill

En résumé or en conclusion? Practise closing a French paragraph

Distinguish a short summary from a final judgement. Read paired endings, then fill six connector gaps in short French paragraphs with English support.

In short

En résumé introduces a short restatement of the main points. En conclusion introduces the closing point or judgement. Both can close a text; choose the one that tells the reader what your last sentence is doing.

Yellow the idea to rememberBlue French to learn

A small French reading club finishes a discussion around a table with two completely blank-covered books.
The reading club reaches a decision en conclusion. Illustration: Atelier

En résumé,In summary,

Focus: Compress the points you have just presented

En résumé, le texte est court, clair et facile à lire.
In summary, the text is short, clear and easy to read.

En conclusion,In conclusion,

Focus: Close the discussion with an answer or decision

En conclusion, nous choisissons ce texte pour la prochaine séance.
In conclusion, we are choosing this text for the next session.

Here the summary lists the text’s qualities. The conclusion uses those qualities to make a choice. Put a comma after the opening connector and continue with a complete sentence. Neither expression needs que: En résumé, nous avons deux options.

What is the difference between en résumé and en conclusion?

Complete the full connector in each gap. The hints give its opening letters, so practise the exact expression requested: en r… or en c…. Each pair first summarises the discussion, then closes it with a decision.

Trois décisions au club de lecture

Nous avons lu deux récits. Le premier raconte un voyage et le second présente une famille. Les deux sont courts, mais le second contient plus de dialogues. (en r…), les récits ont des thèmes différents et le second fait davantage parler les personnages. Nous voulons lire les dialogues à voix haute. (en c…), nous choisissons le second récit pour vendredi.

La séance de lundi a permis à chacun de donner son avis. Nous avons comparé les personnages et relevé deux passages difficiles. (en r…), la discussion a porté sur les personnages et le vocabulaire. Plusieurs membres souhaitent revoir les expressions nouvelles. (en c…), nous commencerons la prochaine séance par ces expressions.

Deux horaires sont possibles : dix-huit heures ou dix-neuf heures. À dix-huit heures, Nora travaille encore. À dix-neuf heures, tout le monde est libre. (en r…), un seul horaire convient à tout le groupe. (en c…), nous nous retrouverons à dix-neuf heures.

Read it in English

We have read two narratives. The first tells of a journey and the second presents a family. Both are short, but the second contains more dialogue. In summary, the narratives have different themes and the second gives its characters more speech. We want to read the dialogues aloud. In conclusion, we are choosing the second narrative for Friday.

Monday’s session allowed everyone to give their opinion. We compared the characters and picked out two difficult passages. In summary, the discussion focused on the characters and the vocabulary. Several members want to revisit the new expressions. In conclusion, we will start the next session with those expressions.

Two times are possible: six or seven in the evening. At six, Nora is still working. At seven, everyone is free. In summary, only one time suits the whole group. In conclusion, we will meet at seven.

Question 1No account needed
What does the first sentence do?En résumé, les deux textes abordent le même thème.

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

It restates a main point.. En résumé announces a short restatement of information already discussed.

Question 2No account needed
Choose the complete closing sentence.

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

En conclusion, nous choisissons le second texte.. The connector is followed by a comma and a full statement: nous choisissons le second texte.