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French connector structure: noun, clause or complete statement?

Edited by Chris Lee · Updated · About the library

Check malgré, bien que, même si, pourtant and c’est-à-dire with five compact rules, matched examples and a four-question structure check.

In short

Check the material after the connector: malgré les critiques is a noun phrase, bien que le projet soit critiqué is a clause, and pourtant, le projet continue is a complete statement. Similar meanings can need different sentence shapes.

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A small group continuing a practical building project in a French community garden, planting a raised bed together.
Même si le projet est difficile, nous avançons. Illustration: Atelier

Five connector frames

1 · Malgré + noun phrase

Use a noun phrase for the obstacle. Its length does not change the pattern: les nombreuses critiques du public is still one noun phrase.

Malgré les critiques, le projet continue.Despite the criticism, the project continues.

Malgré son coût élevé, la proposition reste intéressante.Despite its high cost, the proposal remains interesting.

2 · Bien que + subject + subjunctive

Give the clause a subject and a conjugated verb. Bien que le projet difficile is missing its verb. Que becomes qu’ before a vowel.

Bien que le projet soit difficile, nous avançons.Although the project is difficult, we are making progress.

Bien qu’elle soit critiquée, cette idée mérite un débat.Although it is criticised, this idea deserves a debate.

3 · Même si + subject + indicative

For this concession pattern, use the indicative. A present fact can take the present; a past fact can take a past tense. Keep the concession when you repair the form.

Même si le projet est difficile, nous avançons.Even though the project is difficult, we are making progress.

Même si le débat a été long, il a été utile.Even though the debate was long, it was useful.

4 · Pourtant links two statements

Read each statement on its own. Each needs a complete core. A full stop or semicolon can make the boundary easy to see.

Le projet est difficile. Pourtant, nous avançons.The project is difficult. Yet we are making progress.

Le coût est élevé ; pourtant, la proposition reste intéressante.The cost is high; yet the proposal remains interesting.

5 · C’est-à-dire : phrase or que + clause

A short phrase can follow directly. Add que when you introduce a full explanatory clause.

Son style est sobre, c’est-à-dire simple et précis.Her style is restrained, that is, simple and precise.

Le texte est anonyme, c’est-à-dire que son auteur n’est pas nommé.The text is anonymous, that is, its author is not named.

What follows a French connector: a noun or a clause?

  • Bien que cette idée intéressante, elle reste peu connue.Bien que cette idée soit intéressante, elle reste peu connue.

    Add the verb soit. The idea remains interesting but little known.

  • Pourtant que le projet continue.Pourtant, le projet continue.

    Here pourtant introduces a complete statement. Remove the extra que.

Question 1No account needed
Complete the noun-phrase frame.___ les critiques, elle poursuit son travail.

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

Malgré. Les critiques is a noun phrase, which fits directly after malgré.

Question 2No account needed
Complete the concessive clause.Bien que son style ___ simple, son propos est fort.

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

soit. Bien que introduces a clause with a conjugated subjunctive: soit.

Question 3No account needed
Keep même si and choose its verb.Même si ce texte ___ court, il est précis.

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

est. This même si clause takes the indicative, so choose est.

Question 4No account needed
Introduce a complete explanation.Le vote est unanime, ___ tout le monde est d’accord.

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

c’est-à-dire que. A subject and verb follow, so the explanatory frame is c’est-à-dire que.

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