Sequence connectors
When explaining a step-by-step process—like a DIY home repair project—you need sequence connectors to guide your listener from start to finish.
Here are the four essential connectors you can use to structure your speech:
| French | English |
|---|---|
| d'abord | first |
| ensuite | then, next |
| puis | then |
| enfin | finally |
These connectors usually sit at the very beginning of a sentence or a clause, often separated from the rest of the sentence by a comma.
Starting your project: D'abord
To kick off your sequence of events, begin with d'abord (first).
| First, you must repair the table. | D'abord, vous devez réparer la table. |
| First, you measure the wall. | D'abord, tu mesures le mur. |
The middle steps: Ensuite and Puis
To transition to the next steps, use ensuite or puis. Both of these words translate to "then" or "next." They are largely interchangeable, and native speakers will often alternate between them to avoid sounding repetitive.
| Then, I repair the door. | Ensuite, je répare la porte. |
| Then, you cut the wood for your project. | Puis, vous coupez le bois pour votre projet. |
You will often see multiple sequence connectors used together to explain a rapid series of actions:
| First, we measure, and then we cut! | D'abord, nous mesurons, et ensuite nous coupons ! |
| First, we clean the wall, then we prepare the paint. | D'abord, nous nettoyons le mur, puis nous préparons la peinture. |
Wrapping it up: Enfin
When you reach the very last step of your project or story, wrap it up with enfin (finally).
| Finally, you can paint the wall. | Enfin, vous pouvez peindre le mur. |
| Finally, we clean our tools. | Enfin, nous nettoyons nos outils. |
