21.8: Structure - Cependant, néanmoins, pourtant et toutefois

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Objectif

In this section, you will learn the differences betwen the adverbs cependant, néanmoins, pourtant and toutefois

On étudie !

There are four adverbs in French that are useful when putting sentences together in a discussion or writing activity. Their meanings are very close, so it really depends on the nuance you choose: les adverbes cependant, néanmoins, pourtant et toutefois.

Ecoutez.

Cependant, néanmoins, pourtant et toutefois
Français	Anglais	Explication	Exemples
cependant	yet, nevertheless, nonetheless, however	cependant also conveys a meaning of concomitance, it can also mean "meanwhile" (especially in written language.)	Plusieurs facteurs doivent cependant être examinés. (However, several things can affect your deduction.) Cette opinion était cependant clairement minoritaire. (However, this was clearly a minority opinion.)
néanmoins	nevertheless, nonetheless, however	néanmoins means "in spite of what's been stated before."	Néanmoins, ceci prendra un certain temps. (However, this will take some time.) Je vous remercie néanmoins, pour votre compréhension. (Nevertheless, I thank you for your understanding.)
pourtant	yet, however	pourtant has an element of invalidation: you stated something, and yet there is something else proving that the first thing was false.	Il reste pourtant beaucoup à faire. (There is still a lot to be done, however.) C'est pourtant la meilleure façon de procéder. (However, that is the best way to deal with the issue.)
toutefois	however, notwithstanding, nevertheless	toutefois does not express strict opposition, rather a restrictive opposition: it indicates that the sentence before must not be too much generalized because the sentence after sets a limitation.	J'aimerais toutefois émettre quelques recommandations. (I should, however, like to make a few recommendations.) Il existe toutefois de rares exceptions. (However, there may be some rare exceptions.)

The most colloquial and informal term is “pourtant” which is used the most often in spoken language, whereas néanmoins, toutefois - and sometimes cependant - are often perceived as more formal and found more frequently in written French.

On pratique !

Activité A

Complétez avec le bon adverbe :

Il y a beaucoup de fruits et légumes dans les supermarchés. ________, ils sont très chers.
Les gens n’aiment pas faire de l’exercice. _________, marcher tous les jours n’est pas trop difficile.
J’ai suivi un régime pendant 6 mois. _________, je n’ai pas maigri.
Tu as un bon travail, ____________tu te plains tout le temps.
Il a réussi tous ses examens, non sans beaucoup de difficulté____________________.