par ailleurs

The French adverbial phrase par ailleurs is a cornerstone of sophisticated French discourse. At its most basic level, it functions as a logical connector used to introduce a new point, a different perspective, or additional information that is related to the current topic but not necessarily a direct consequence of the previous sentence. In English, it is most frequently translated as moreover, furthermore, in addition, or sometimes on another note. However, its utility extends beyond simple addition; it signals to the listener or reader that the speaker is shifting the angle of analysis.

Etymological Root

Derived from 'par' (by/through) and 'ailleurs' (elsewhere), suggesting a movement of thought to 'another place' in the logical map of the conversation.

Logical Function

It acts as a transition marker that maintains thematic continuity while expanding the scope of the discussion.

Register

Primarily found in formal, academic, and professional contexts, though it appears in careful everyday speech.

To understand par ailleurs, one must distinguish it from simple additive conjunctions like 'et' (and) or 'aussi' (also). While 'et' simply links two items, par ailleurs suggests a deliberate organizational choice by the speaker. It implies: 'I have finished this specific point, and now, looking at the matter from a different side, here is something else relevant.' This makes it invaluable for structured argumentation, such as in a dissertation or a business report.

In many cases, par ailleurs is used to avoid the repetitive use of 'de plus' or 'en outre'. While 'en outre' is very formal and 'de plus' is neutral, par ailleurs carries a slight nuance of 'looking elsewhere.' It is particularly useful when the second point isn't just an 'extra' version of the first point, but rather a point from a different category (e.g., moving from 'quality' to 'price', or from 'speed' to 'safety').

Furthermore, the phrase is often used in professional emails to transition between different agenda items. For instance, after discussing a meeting time, one might say, 'Par ailleurs, pourriez-vous m'envoyer le compte-rendu ?' (On another note, could you send me the minutes?). This usage is slightly less formal than its academic counterpart but remains polished and polite. It prevents the transition from feeling abrupt or disjointed.

Linguistically, it is classified as a connecteur logique (logical connector). These words are the 'glue' of the French language. Without them, sentences would feel like a list of isolated facts. By using par ailleurs, you demonstrate a B1/B2 level of proficiency because you are showing an ability to organize complex thoughts into a coherent whole. It shows that you are not just speaking, but structuring your speech.

Syntactic Placement

Usually placed at the beginning of a sentence followed by a comma, or after the verb in a subordinate clause.

Semantic Weight

High. It signals a transition that the listener should pay attention to.

In summary, par ailleurs is more than just 'also.' It is a tool for lateral thinking in conversation. It allows you to pivot gracefully, ensuring that your discourse remains fluid and professional. Whether you are writing a cover letter, participating in a debate, or simply explaining a complex situation to a friend, mastering this phrase will significantly elevate your French expression.

Using par ailleurs correctly requires an understanding of both its grammatical placement and its logical function. It is most commonly used as a sentence starter, but its flexibility allows it to appear in various positions within a sentence to create different rhythmic effects. Because it is an adverbial phrase, it is almost always set off by commas when it interrupts the flow of a sentence.

Position 1: Sentence Initial

This is the most common usage. It introduces a new sentence that adds to the previous one.
Example: Par ailleurs, il faut noter que...

Position 2: Mid-Sentence (Parenthetical)

It can be placed after the subject or the verb to add a slight emphasis or a secondary thought.
Example: Ce contrat, par ailleurs très avantageux, sera signé demain.

Position 3: Clause Connector

Used with a semicolon or a coordinating conjunction.
Example: L'hôtel est bien situé ; par ailleurs, le personnel est charmant.

One of the most important aspects of using par ailleurs is ensuring that the information being added is actually distinct from the previous information. If you are simply repeating the same idea in different words, par ailleurs is inappropriate. It requires a shift in focus. For example, if you are talking about a car, you might use it to transition from discussing the engine to discussing the interior design.

In formal writing, such as a lettre de motivation (cover letter), par ailleurs is a powerful tool to link different skill sets. You might discuss your technical skills in one paragraph and then use par ailleurs to introduce your soft skills or your international experience. This creates a 'layered' effect in your writing, showing that you are a multifaceted candidate.

Punctuation is key. When par ailleurs starts a sentence, a comma is mandatory. This comma provides a 'breath' for the reader, signaling the transition. Without the comma, the sentence can feel rushed and the logical connection may be lost. In speech, this is represented by a slight pause and a change in intonation.

When compared to de plus, par ailleurs is slightly more elegant. While de plus feels like adding items to a grocery list (1, 2, 3...), par ailleurs feels like building an argument. It suggests that the speaker is considering the subject from multiple dimensions. This is why it is so prevalent in legal and administrative French, where precision and multi-faceted analysis are required.

Common Pairing

Often used in conjunction with 'D'une part... d'autre part...' to provide a third, external point.

Negative Usage

It can also introduce a negative point after a positive one, though 'cependant' is more common for pure contrast.

Finally, avoid overusing it. If every sentence in a paragraph starts with par ailleurs, de plus, or en outre, the writing becomes heavy and 'clunky.' Use it strategically at major transition points to guide your reader through your logic. A good rule of thumb is to use it once or twice per page in a formal document.

You will encounter par ailleurs in a variety of high-level French environments. It is not a slang term, nor is it strictly 'old-fashioned.' Instead, it is a marker of educated, clear communication. Understanding where it appears will help you grasp its nuances and know when it is appropriate for you to use it.

The News and Media

Journalists on France Inter or presenters on TF1 use it constantly to transition between related news stories or to add context to a report.

Academic Lectures

Professors use it to move from one theory to another or to introduce a secondary researcher's perspective.

Corporate Meetings

In the 'monde de l'entreprise,' it is used to pivot from discussing results to discussing future strategies.

In the world of French politics, par ailleurs is a favorite of orators. During a 'débat télévisé,' a politician might list the benefits of a policy and then say, 'Par ailleurs, nous devons considérer l'impact sur les petites entreprises.' This allows them to appear thorough and considerate of different social groups. It adds a layer of 'seriousness' to their rhetoric.

If you read high-quality French newspapers like Le Monde, Le Figaro, or Libération, you will see par ailleurs in almost every editorial. It is the 'bread and butter' of analytical writing. It helps the writer maintain a neutral, objective tone while presenting a multifaceted argument. In this context, it often replaces the more conversational 'aussi' or 'en plus.'

In professional correspondence, par ailleurs is used to maintain a polite distance while being efficient. For example, in an email: 'Je vous remercie pour votre retour. Par ailleurs, j'ai bien reçu les documents.' This is much more professional than saying 'Et aussi, j'ai reçu les documents.' It separates the 'thank you' from the 'confirmation of receipt' in a way that feels organized.

Interestingly, you might also hear it in literary podcasts or book reviews. Critics use it to transition from discussing the plot of a book to discussing its style or its historical context. It functions as a bridge between the 'what' (the story) and the 'how' (the writing). This versatility across genres—from hard news to literary criticism—makes it one of the most useful connectors to master.

Legal Contexts

In court rulings or contracts, it is used to add secondary conditions or clauses that are independent of the primary ones.

Scientific Papers

Used to introduce secondary findings or observations that were not the primary focus of the experiment.

Finally, while you might not hear it in a noisy bar among teenagers, you will certainly hear it in a dinner party conversation among adults discussing a film, a trip, or a piece of news. It is a sign of 'le bon usage'—the proper use of the French language that commands respect and clarity.

Despite its usefulness, par ailleurs is frequently misused, even by intermediate learners. The most common errors involve confusing it with similar-sounding phrases, using it in the wrong register, or failing to provide the necessary logical 'shift' that the phrase requires.

Mistake 1: Confusing with 'D'ailleurs'

This is the #1 mistake. 'D'ailleurs' is used to justify or provide proof for what was just said (like 'besides' or 'for that matter'). 'Par ailleurs' is used to add a new, different point.

Mistake 2: Over-formalizing casual speech

Using 'par ailleurs' while texting a close friend about a pizza order can sound slightly robotic or overly stiff. In very casual settings, 'et aussi' or 'en plus' is better.

Mistake 3: Lack of Punctuation

Forgetting the comma after 'Par ailleurs' at the start of a sentence is a common written error that affects readability.

Let's look closer at the par ailleurs vs. d'ailleurs distinction. Imagine you say: 'Il est très intelligent. D'ailleurs, il a eu 20/20.' Here, the second sentence proves the first. Now imagine: 'Il est très intelligent. Par ailleurs, il est très sportif.' here, the second sentence adds a new quality that has nothing to do with intelligence. Using the wrong one changes the logic of your argument.

Another mistake is using it as a synonym for 'mais' (but). While par ailleurs can introduce a point that contrasts slightly with the previous one, it is not a conjunction of opposition. If you want to say 'The car is fast but expensive,' you should use 'mais' or 'cependant.' If you say 'The car is fast. Par ailleurs, it is expensive,' you are presenting 'fast' and 'expensive' as two separate facts of equal weight, rather than a direct conflict.

Learners also often place it incorrectly in the sentence. While it can be placed in the middle of a sentence, it must be logically placed. Placing it between a verb and its direct object (e.g., 'J'aime par ailleurs les pommes') is technically possible but often sounds awkward compared to 'Par ailleurs, j'aime les pommes' or 'J'aime, par ailleurs, les pommes.'

Finally, be careful not to use it to mean 'elsewhere' in a physical sense. While 'ailleurs' means 'elsewhere,' 'par ailleurs' is strictly a logical connector. If you want to say 'I am going elsewhere,' you say 'Je vais ailleurs.' You cannot say 'Je vais par ailleurs' to mean you are going to a different location.

Redundancy

Avoid 'Et par ailleurs'. The 'et' is redundant because 'par ailleurs' already performs the function of addition.

Confusion with 'D'autre part'

'D'autre part' usually requires a preceding 'D'une part'. 'Par ailleurs' can stand alone.

To truly master par ailleurs, you must understand its place within the family of French logical connectors. French is a language that prizes variety in transitions, and using the same word repeatedly is considered poor style. Here are the most common synonyms and how they differ in nuance and register.

De plus

The most common and neutral synonym. It simply means 'furthermore' or 'additionally.' It is less 'sophisticated' than par ailleurs but very effective.

En outre

Very formal. You will find this in academic papers and legal documents. It is stronger than 'de plus' and suggests a significant addition.

Qui plus est

Used when the second point is even more important or surprising than the first. It adds a sense of 'what's more.'

Another interesting alternative is de surcroît. This is extremely formal and is used when adding a final, decisive point to an argument. It's like the 'cherry on top' of a logical structure. In contrast, par ailleurs is more about lateral addition—adding a point from a different category rather than just a stronger point.

Then there is d'autre part. This is usually part of a pair: d'une part... d'autre part... (on one hand... on the other hand...). However, d'autre part can sometimes be used alone to introduce a second point. The difference is that d'autre part often implies a more direct comparison or a balanced two-part structure, whereas par ailleurs is more open-ended.

For more informal situations, you might use en plus or aussi. En plus is the standard 'plus' or 'also' used in daily conversation. 'J'ai faim, et en plus je suis fatigué.' Using par ailleurs here would sound slightly comical because the context is so mundane. However, as you move toward B2 and C1 levels, you should actively try to replace en plus with par ailleurs in your writing to achieve a more professional tone.

Finally, consider également. While often translated as 'also,' également is usually placed after the verb or at the end of the sentence. 'Il a également souligné que...' Par ailleurs is more of a 'signpost' at the beginning of the sentence, directing the reader's attention to the transition itself. Understanding these subtle differences in placement and tone is what separates a good French speaker from a great one.

Summary of Synonyms

• De plus: Neutral addition.
• En outre: Formal addition.
• Par ailleurs: Sophisticated lateral addition.
• Qui plus est: Emphatic addition.
• D'autre part: Balanced addition.