Bonjour! Are you eager to learn how to express “so that” in French? You’ve come to the right place! Whether you want to convey purpose, cause, or result, this guide will equip you with everything you need to know about this essential phrase. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore both formal and informal ways to express “so that,” provide regional variations (only if necessary), and offer plenty of tips and examples. Let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Say “So that” in French
1. Pour que:
Je travaille dur pour que je puisse réussir mes examens. (I work hard so that I can pass my exams.)
2. Afin que:
Il économise de l’argent afin que ses enfants puissent aller à l’université. (He saves money so that his children can go to university.)
3. De manière que:
Nous préparons cet événement de manière que tout le monde puisse profiter de cette soirée. (We are organizing this event in a way that everyone can enjoy the evening.)
Informal Ways to Say “So that” in French
1. Pour:
Je mange bien pour être en forme. (I eat well so that I can stay in shape.)
2. Histoire de:
Je vais étudier un peu, histoire de comprendre le sujet. (I will study a bit, just so that I understand the topic.)
Common Regional Variations
While French is spoken across various regions, the expressions for “so that” tend to remain consistent. However, regional variations sometimes surface. Here’s an example from Quebec:
Juste pour:
Je vais m’entraîner ce soir, juste pour rester en forme. (I’m going to work out tonight, just so that I can stay in shape.)
Quick Tips for Using “So that” in French
- Always use the subjunctive mood after expressions like “pour que” and “afin que.”
- Place the subject of the second clause before the verb.
- Remember that some informal expressions may not work in formal writing.
- Pay attention to gender and plural agreement with pronouns in your sentences.
More Examples to Strengthen Your Understanding
1. Elle parle doucement pour que je puisse me concentrer. (She speaks softly so that I can concentrate.)
2. Ilyas économise son argent afin qu’il puisse acheter une nouvelle voiture. (Ilyas is saving his money so that he can buy a new car.)
3. Les parents organisent une fête d’anniversaire de manière que tous les enfants s’amusent. (The parents are organizing a birthday party in a way that all the children will have fun.)
4. Je vais faire du jogging tous les jours, histoire de perdre du poids. (I’m going to jog every day, just so that I can lose weight.)
5. On travaille dur pour réussir nos projets. (We work hard to succeed in our projects.)
And there you have it! With this guide, expressing “so that” in French will become second nature to you. Remember to practice these phrases in context to sharpen your skills. So, go ahead, incorporate them into your conversations, and watch your French fluency soar! Joyeux apprentissage! (Happy learning!)
