Same link, different register
In reports, academic papers, expert opinions and position papers, formal connectors link the ideas. The content doesn't change, but the text sounds like the desk rather than the coffee machine. Most of them open the sentence and are followed by a comma.
Spoken and written
Everyday
Pour le budget, on verra plus tard.
We'll look at the budget later.
Vu les chiffres, il faut changer de stratégie.
Given the numbers, we need to change strategy.
Formal
En ce qui concerne le budget, il sera examiné ultérieurement.
As regards the budget, it will be examined at a later stage.
Compte tenu des chiffres, un changement de stratégie s'impose.
In view of the figures, a change of strategy is called for.
Four jobs, four groups
Formal connectors by function
| Function | Connectors | English |
|---|---|---|
| Introducing a topic | en ce qui concerne, quant à, s'agissant de | as regards, as for, with respect to |
| Stating the basis | compte tenu de, eu égard à, à la lumière de | in view of, having regard to, in the light of |
| Holding a point anyway | il n'en reste pas moins que, toujours est-il que | the fact remains that, nonetheless |
| Drawing a conclusion | dès lors, de ce fait, il s'ensuit que | consequently, as a result, it follows that |
eu égard à is the most formal item in its group and appears mainly in legal and official texts. à la lumière de takes new findings as its basis. il n'en reste pas moins que usually follows a concession and holds on to a point regardless.
Les résultats sont encourageants. Quant aux coûts, ils restent élevés.
The results are encouraging. As for the costs, they remain high.
S'agissant de la sécurité, aucune concession ne sera faite.
Where safety is concerned, no concessions will be made.
Eu égard à son ancienneté, la salariée bénéficie d'un préavis prolongé.
Having regard to her length of service, the employee is entitled to an extended notice period.
À la lumière de ces données, l'hypothèse initiale doit être revue.
In the light of these data, the initial hypothesis must be revised.
L'étude présente des limites. Il n'en reste pas moins que ses conclusions sont solides.
The study has its limitations. The fact remains that its conclusions are sound.
Le contrat n'a pas été signé. Dès lors, il ne peut être appliqué.
The contract was not signed. Consequently, it cannot be enforced.
