21.8: Structure - Cependant, néanmoins, pourtant et toutefois
- Page ID
- 143103
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)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____________________.