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Ces résultats sont bizarres, alors ils auront besoin d'une nouvelle théorie.

Ces résultats sont bizarres, alors ils auront besoin d'une nouvelle théorie.
These results are weird, so they will need a new theory.
From Lesson 146:Connectors of consequence (alors, donc)·French

Questions & Answers about Ces résultats sont bizarres, alors ils auront besoin d'une nouvelle théorie.

Could I use donc instead of alors in this sentence?
Yes, both work here! Alors translates perfectly to 'so' and is very common in everyday spoken French. If you used donc, it would mean 'therefore,' which feels slightly more formal and strongly emphasizes the logical conclusion.
What tense is the word auront?
It is the future tense (futur simple) of the verb avoir (to have). Avoir has an irregular future stem, aur-, which gives us ils auront (they will have).
Why is there a d' in front of une nouvelle théorie?
This is because of the expression avoir besoin de (to need, or literally 'to have need of'). In French, you don't just 'need a theory,' you 'have need OF a theory.' Because une starts with a vowel, the de drops its 'e' and contracts to d'.
Why is the adjective nouvelle placed before the noun théorie?
While most French adjectives are placed after the noun, short and common adjectives that describe Beauty, Age, Number, Goodness, or Size usually go before it. Nouvelle (new) falls into the 'Age' category, so it comes before théorie.

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