Linking words - part 3 (with audio)

08 Feb 2010
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Linking words - part 3 (with audio)

Linking words help you connect ideas and sentences, make smooth transitions. In French, they are called "connecteurs" and are often "conjonctions, prépostions, adverbes ou locutions (conjonctives, prépositionnelles ou adverbiales)". They often make THE difference in language fluency, and convey meanings that can nuance the whole sentence. Here is a list of 10 common linking words with examples and audio recordings.

Make sure you check the blog posts featuring the first 19 linking words. See the links at the end of this post.

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20 - vers (around/toward).

Je dîne vers 1 heure. (I have lunch around 1).
Il vient vers moi. (he is coming toward me).

21 - depuis (since, for).

Nous parlons depuis 10 minutes. (we've been talking for 10 minutes).
J'habite à Paris depuis juillet. (I've been living in Paris since July).

22 - pendant / durant (during, while, for)

Pendant que je travaille, il s'amuse. (he's having fun while I am working).
Il pleut pendant deux heures (It rains for 2 hours).

23 - après ? avant (after ? before)

Après vous ! (after you).
Je dîne avant de sortir. (I have dinner before I go out).

24 - jusqu'à (until, up to).

Je travaille jusqu'à 5 heures. (I work until 5).
Sa propriété va jusqu'à l'arbre. (his lot goes up to the tree).

25 - d'abord (first) - et puis (then).

D'abord, vous étudiez la leçon, et puis vous faîtes les exercices. (your first study the lesson, then you do the exercises).

26 - quand (when - mostly used in questions).

Quand arrive-t-il ? (when does he arrive ?).
Je ne sais pas quand il arrive. (I dont know when he arrives).

27 - lorsque (when - used for simultaneity).

Il est content lorsqu'il mange. (he's happy when he eats).

28 - Il y a (ago/there is-there are).

Je suis arrivé il y a 3 semaines. (I arrived 3 weeks ago).
Il y a une pomme sur la table. (there is an apple on the table).

29 - environ (approximately).

Il est environ minuit. (It's approximately midnight).


There are many French conjuctions or linking words, which will help you make a transition from one idea to the next. I had to cover these French connecting words in several posts: please follow the links :-)

Part 1 - à, chez, en, sur/sous, au dessus/en dessous, dessus/dessous, dans, dedans/dehors, devant/derrière.
http://www.frenchtoday.com/blog/linking-words

Part 2 - à côté de/près de, loin de, entre, parmi, au milieu de, autour de, en dehors de/hors de, par. http://www.frenchtoday.com/blog/linking-words-2

Part 3 - vers, depuis, pendant/durant, après avant, jusqu'à, d'abord - et puis, quand, lorsque, Il y a, environ.
http://www.frenchtoday.com/blog/linking-words-3

Part 4 - avec, sans, pour, mais, contre, au contraire, en fait, en plus, quant à, en effet.
http://www.frenchtoday.com/blog/linking-words-4

Part 5 -au sujet de, d'après/suivant / selon, presque, parce que, car, puisque, alors, dnc, si/sinon, enfin
http://www.frenchtoday.com/blog/linking-words-5

Part 6 - more advanced French linking words: ainsi, c'est ainsi que, alors, alors que, aussitôt que, d'autant plus que, bien que, si bien que, cependant, dès que, en tant que, lorsque, malgé, même si, à moins que, néanmoins, pendant que, pour que, pourtant, puisque, quand même, quant à, quoique, quoi que, sinon, tandis que.
http://www.frenchtoday.com/blog/linking-words-6


Camille Chevalier-Karfis

Born and raised in Paris, I have been teaching today's French to adults for 19 years in the US, France, and to people around the world over the phone and by Skype . My method is proven and unique, and, based on my students' goals and needs, I've developed  high quality audiobooks and audio lessons for all levels.
Good luck with your studies and remember, repetition is the key!

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