The "Conjonctions" that Win Points: Connectors for B2 and C1 Level

Imagine a bridge built without mortar—it might stand for a while, but it’s unstable and uninspiring. In French writing and speaking, Logical Connectors (les connecteurs logiques) are your mortar. They turn a list of isolated facts into a persuasive argument.

If you want to move from a B1 (CLB 5) to a B2 (CLB 7) or C1 (CLB 9), you must stop using "et" and "mais" exclusively. Examiners actively look for "sophisticated bridges" when assigning high level scores.

Here is your master list of connectors to win those extra points.

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1. Addition & Progression (Beyond "Et")

Use these to build your case step-by-step.

• B2 (Solid): De plus, En outre, Par ailleurs.
• C1 (Advanced): Qui plus est, Sans compter que, Non seulement... mais encore.
• Example: "Le télétravail permet de gagner du temps. Qui plus est, il réduit considérablement l'empreinte carbone liée aux déplacements."

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2. Opposition & Contrast (Beyond "Mais")

Use these when you have two conflicting ideas.

• B2 (Solid): Cependant, Pourtant, En revanche.
• C1 (Advanced): Néanmoins, Toutefois, À l'opposé de, Contrairement à.
• Example: "Le projet est ambitieux. Toutefois, les financements nécessaires tardent à arriver."

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3. Concession (The "C1 Secret Weapon")

Concession means acknowledging a counter-argument before reinforcing your own. This is a high-level intellectual marker.

• B2 (Solid): Bien que (+ Subjunctive), Même si.
• C1 (Advanced): Quoi qu'il en soit, Certes... mais, En dépit de (+ Noun).
• Example: "En dépit des critiques initiales, la réforme a porté ses fruits sur le long terme."

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4. Cause & Consequence

• B2 (Cause): Puisque, Étant donné que.
• C1 (Cause): En raison de, Par le biais de, Du fait de.
• B2 (Consequence): C'est pourquoi, Par conséquent.
• C1 (Consequence): Ainsi, De ce fait, Il en résulte que.

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5. Conclusion & Synthesis

• B2 (Solid): Pour conclure, Enfin.
• C1 (Advanced): En somme, Tout bien considéré, En guise de conclusion.

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The "Syntactic Variety" Rule

An examiner hates seeing the same connector used twice in the same paragraph. If you used "Cependant" in sentence 1, use "Néanmoins" in sentence 4.

Pro Tip: C1 candidates often use connectors at the beginning of sentences to drive the rhythm, whereas B1 candidates bury them in the middle of sentences.

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How PrepMyFrench Corrects Your "Weak Bridges"

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If our engine sees you repeating simple connectors like "et" or "parce que", it will flag them and suggest B2 or C1 level alternatives tailored to your context. It's like having a C1 tutor standing over your shoulder, helping you upgrade your French in real-time.

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Sources

1. Dictionnaire des Synonymes: Nuances of French Connectors
2. IRCC NCLC Grid: Achievement Indicators for Advanced Writing