French - Lesson 88 of 159: Transitions

1. Reading + Listening Practice

Hear core phrases, repeat aloud.

Bref,

Anyway, ...

Meaning: Anyway, ...

When to use: Use « Bref » to sum up quickly or move the conversation on after a digression.

Tip: Don’t overuse it as a filler; it’s best for short conclusions or transitions.

Bref, on n’a pas le temps — commençons.

Anyway, we don’t have time — let’s start.

Il a beaucoup parlé et, bref, c’était compliqué.

He talked a lot and, anyway, it was complicated.

Au fait, ...

By the way, ...

Meaning: By the way, ...

When to use: Say « Au fait » to add a related piece of information or a quick question you remembered.

Au fait, tu as vu le nouveau musée?

By the way, did you see the new museum?

Au fait, j’ai pris ton livre hier.

By the way, I took your book yesterday.

En parlant de ___, ...

Speaking of ___, ...

Meaning: Speaking of ___, ...

When to use: Use « En parlant de ___ » to connect a new idea directly to something just mentioned.

Tip: Be sure to finish the phrase with the topic: avoid leaving the blank unclear.

En parlant de vacances, tu veux partir où cet été?

Speaking of holidays, where do you want to go this summer?

En parlant de films, il y a une comédie sympa ce week-end.

Speaking of movies, there’s a fun comedy this weekend.

Ça me fait penser, ...

That reminds me, ...

Meaning: That reminds me, ...

When to use: Use « Ça me fait penser » to introduce an idea triggered by the previous comment.

Ça me fait penser: as-tu répondu à son message?

That reminds me: did you reply to his message?

Ça me fait penser à mon prof de lycée.

That reminds me of my high school teacher.

Comme je disais, ...

As I was saying, ...

Meaning: As I was saying, ...

When to use: Say « Comme je disais » to return to a point after an interruption or digression.

Comme je disais, le projet doit être fini vendredi.

As I was saying, the project must be finished by Friday.

Comme je disais, c’est important d’écouter l’équipe.

As I was saying, it’s important to listen to the team.

D’un autre côté, ...

On the other hand, ...

Meaning: On the other hand, ...

When to use: Use « D’un autre côté » to present a contrast or alternative view.

C’est cher. D’un autre côté, la qualité est excellente.

It’s expensive. On the other hand, the quality is excellent.

Il veut rester; d’un autre côté, il a besoin de voyager.

He wants to stay; on the other hand, he needs to travel.

En même temps, ...

At the same time, ...

Meaning: At the same time, ...

When to use: « En même temps » adds a second point that is also true or balances a claim.

Il est compétent; en même temps, il manque d’expérience.

He’s competent; at the same time, he lacks experience.

J’aime cette idée, en même temps elle coûte cher.

I like this idea, at the same time it’s expensive.

Dans ce cas, ...

In that case, ...

Meaning: In that case, ...

When to use: Use « Dans ce cas » to introduce a decision, consequence, or next step based on what was just said.

Si tu es sûr, dans ce cas on commence demain.

If you’re sure, in that case we’ll start tomorrow.

Il n’est pas là. Dans ce cas, on attend son retour.

He’s not here. In that case, we’ll wait for his return.

Avant que j’oublie, ...

Before I forget, ...

Meaning: Before I forget, ...

When to use: Say « Avant que j’oublie » to add an important note before the topic changes.

Avant que j’oublie, apporte ton passeport.

Before I forget, bring your passport.

Avant que j’oublie, le train est retardé.

Before I forget, the train is delayed.

Le truc, c’est que ...

The thing is, ...

Meaning: The thing is, ...

When to use: Use « Le truc, c’est que » to introduce the main problem or the key point you want to stress.

Le truc, c’est que nous n’avons pas assez de budget.

The thing is, we don’t have enough budget.

Le truc, c’est que personne ne sait la réponse.

The thing is, nobody knows the answer.

Donc

So, ...

Meaning: So, ...

When to use: « Donc » signals a result, a conclusion, or the next step after reasoning.

Tip: Don’t use « donc » for an unrelated idea—reserve it for logical conclusions.

Il pleut, donc on reste à l’intérieur.

It’s raining, so we stay inside.

Tu n’as pas fini; donc, on reporte la réunion.

You haven’t finished; so we postpone the meeting.

D'abord, ...

First of all, ...

Meaning: First of all, ...

When to use: « D'abord » introduces the first or most important point in a list or explanation.

D'abord, vérifie les documents.

First of all, check the documents.

D'abord, je veux remercier l’équipe.

First of all, I want to thank the team.

Par exemple, ...

For example, ...

Meaning: For example, ...

When to use: Use « Par exemple » to introduce a concrete example that clarifies what you mean.

Par exemple, tu peux utiliser ce site pour apprendre.

For example, you can use this site to learn.

Beaucoup d’oiseaux migrent; par exemple, les hirondelles.

Many birds migrate; for example, swallows.

French - Transitions

1. Reading + Listening Practice

2. Conversational Listening Practice

3. Guided Practice

Which phrase best translates as 'Before I forget, ...'?

Which phrase would you use to add a concrete example?

Which phrase signals you are returning to an earlier point after an interruption?

Which phrase introduces a contrast or alternative?

That reminds me, I remembered she’s on vacation.

On the other hand, if you prefer Wednesday, tell me.

First of all, check the budget before we start.

Match the core phrases

Match the extra phrases

4. Speaking Practice