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Toujours est-il que: the fact remains that

Edited by Chris Lee · Updated · About the library

Read a committee update and follow toujours est-il que back to the point that matters. Includes glosses, translation and four reading questions.

In short

Toujours est-il que means the fact remains that or in any case. It brings the discussion back to a point after uncertainty, an objection or a digression: Le projet est ambitieux. Toujours est-il que nous manquons de temps. The fixed opening contains est-il; the clause after que keeps ordinary word order.

Yellow the idea to rememberBlue French to learnRed watch out

Three reading-group organisers discuss their plans around a table in a quiet French apartment.
The planning discussion gives toujours est-il que a setting. Illustration: Atelier

A reading group has planned six discussions. Its committee now has to decide how many it can organise. Read what remains uncertain, what the committee agrees on and what it proposes next.

Compte rendu du comité de lecture

Le programme à revoir

Une explication encore incertaine

Nous avions prévu six rencontres cette année. Or, seules deux personnes se sont proposées pour les préparer. Peut-être notre message était-il trop long ; peut-être est-il arrivé au mauvais moment. Nous n’avons pas encore interrogé les autres membres. Toujours est-il que nous ne pouvons pas maintenir1 six rencontres avec si peu de bénévoles.

Une décision pratique

Chacun a proposé une solution. Malik voudrait conserver les six dates en raccourcissant les séances. Emma préférerait attendre de nouvelles inscriptions. Nous avons aussi discuté des livres choisis, puis des horaires. Après cette parenthèse2, une question restait à trancher : combien de rencontres pouvons-nous réellement préparer ?

Toujours est-il qu’une décision doit être prise avant vendredi. Nous proposons donc trois rencontres, quitte à3 en ajouter une quatrième si d’autres membres nous rejoignent. Les six dates ne sont plus notre priorité ; la qualité des échanges, elle, reste essentielle. Cette proposition sera envoyée aux membres demain. Chacun pourra donner son avis avant le vote. D’ici là4, Emma contactera les personnes qui ont montré de l’intérêt pour l’organisation.

Read it in English

We had planned six meetings this year. Yet only two people have volunteered to prepare them. Perhaps our message was too long; perhaps it arrived at the wrong moment. We have not yet asked the other members. The fact remains that we cannot keep six meetings with so few volunteers.

Everyone suggested a solution. Malik would like to keep the six dates by shortening the sessions. Emma would prefer to wait for new registrations. We also discussed the books we had chosen, then the times. After this digression, one question still needed settling: how many meetings can we actually prepare?

In any case, a decision must be made before Friday. We therefore propose three meetings, with the possibility of adding a fourth if other members join us. The six dates are no longer our priority; the quality of the discussions remains essential. This proposal will be sent to the members tomorrow. Everyone will be able to give their opinion before the vote. Between now and then, Emma will contact the people who have shown interest in organising.

Follow the two returns

What stays in focus?
OpeningPoint brought forward
Toujours est-il que nous ne pouvons pas…The group’s current capacity.
Toujours est-il qu’une décision doit…The deadline for deciding.

The first transition leaves the reason for the low response open. The second brings a wandering discussion back to its deadline. Neither use of toujours means all the time. The expression organises the argument.

Question 1No account needed
Why did so few people volunteer?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

The cause is still uncertain.. Two explanations are suggested with peut-être. The committee has not yet asked the other members.

Question 2No account needed
What does the first toujours est-il que bring forward?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

The limit on how many meetings the group can prepare.. The committee returns to its capacity: two volunteers cannot prepare all six meetings.

Question 3No account needed
What is the status of three meetings?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

They are a proposal for members to consider.. The text says nous proposons. Members will give their opinions before the vote.

Question 4No account needed
Choose the complete fixed expression.

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

Toujours est-il que nous devons décider.. Keep est-il in the fixed opening and ordinary order nous devons after que.

What does toujours est-il que mean?

Toujours est-il qu’elle n’a pas répondu.

The fact remains that she has not replied.

Keep the hyphen in est-il and elide que before a vowel: qu’elle, qu’une. The il in the opening stays fixed even when the next clause has elle, nous or a plural noun as its subject.

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