21.8: Structure - Cependant, néanmoins, pourtant et toutefois
- Page ID
- 143103
\( \newcommand{\vecs}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \)
\( \newcommand{\vecd}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash {#1}}} \)
\( \newcommand{\dsum}{\displaystyle\sum\limits} \)
\( \newcommand{\dint}{\displaystyle\int\limits} \)
\( \newcommand{\dlim}{\displaystyle\lim\limits} \)
\( \newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)
( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\)
\( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\)
\( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\)
\( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\)
\( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)
\( \newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\)
\( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)
\( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\)
\( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\)
\( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\)
\( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\)
\( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\)
\( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\)
\( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\)
\( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\AA}{\unicode[.8,0]{x212B}}\)
\( \newcommand{\vectorA}[1]{\vec{#1}} % arrow\)
\( \newcommand{\vectorAt}[1]{\vec{\text{#1}}} % arrow\)
\( \newcommand{\vectorB}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \)
\( \newcommand{\vectorC}[1]{\textbf{#1}} \)
\( \newcommand{\vectorD}[1]{\overrightarrow{#1}} \)
\( \newcommand{\vectorDt}[1]{\overrightarrow{\text{#1}}} \)
\( \newcommand{\vectE}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash{\mathbf {#1}}}} \)
\( \newcommand{\vecs}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \)
\(\newcommand{\longvect}{\overrightarrow}\)
\( \newcommand{\vecd}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash {#1}}} \)
\(\newcommand{\ket}[1]{\left| #1 \right>}\)
\(\newcommand{\bra}[1]{\left< #1 \right|}\)
\(\newcommand{\braket}[2]{\left< #1 \vphantom{#2} \right| \left. #2 \vphantom{#1} \right>}\)
\(\newcommand{\braopket}[3]{\left< #1 \vphantom{#2}\vphantom{#3} \right| #2 \vphantom{#1}\vphantom{#3} \left| #3 \vphantom{#1}\vphantom{#2} \right>}\)
\(\newcommand{\qmvec}[1]{\mathbf{\vec{#1}}}\)
\(\newcommand{\op}[1]{\hat{\mathbf{#1}}}\)
\(\newcommand{\expect}[1]{\langle #1 \rangle}\)
\(\newcommand{\dfn}[1]{\emph{\textbf{#1}}}\)
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.
| 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____________________.