Question 1

How does par ailleurs compare to the lesson's focus, d'autre part?

Accepted Answer

Both are discourse markers used to add a new point to an argument. However, d'autre part (moreover / on the other hand) is usually paired with d'une part (on the one hand) to present two related or contrasting sides of a specific issue. Par ailleurs (furthermore / besides) is used independently to introduce an additional, sometimes slightly separate, piece of information or argument.

Question 2

Could I use en plus instead of par ailleurs here?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but par ailleurs is more formal and better suited for structured arguments or written texts. En plus is much more conversational. You might also see en outre, which is another great alternative that is even more formal than par ailleurs.

Question 3

Why do we use the expression être d'accord instead of a single verb like agréer?

Accepted Answer

The English verb 'to agree' almost always translates to the phrase être d'accord in French. The French verb agréer is a false friend; it means 'to accept' or 'to approve of' (usually in highly formal administrative contexts, like accepting a formal request), not to share an opinion with someone.

Question 4

Why is it avec lui and not avec le?

Accepted Answer

Because avec is a preposition. In French, whenever a pronoun comes immediately after a preposition (like avec, pour, or sans), you must use a stressed pronoun (pronom tonique). The stressed pronoun for a masculine singular person is lui.

Par ailleurs, je ne suis pas d'accord avec lui.

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