Meaning
To produce or cause certain outcomes or consequences.
Cultural Background
In French administration (la haute fonction publique), using 'engendrer' is a sign of belonging to the elite 'Grandes Écoles' culture. While used in formal writing, Quebecers might prefer 'générer' or 'entraîner' in semi-formal speech due to North American influence. In Francophone African diplomacy, 'engendrer' is used to discuss the long-term 'birthing' of peace or development. Common in legal and federal discourse to describe the complex effects of regional vs. national laws.
The Adjective Trick
Always pair 'engendrer des effets' with a strong adjective like 'notoires', 'délétères', or 'bénéfiques' to sound like a native C1 speaker.
Avoid the Singular
Saying 'engendrer un effet' is rare. Stick to the plural 'des effets' to sound more natural.
Meaning
To produce or cause certain outcomes or consequences.
The Adjective Trick
Always pair 'engendrer des effets' with a strong adjective like 'notoires', 'délétères', or 'bénéfiques' to sound like a native C1 speaker.
Avoid the Singular
Saying 'engendrer un effet' is rare. Stick to the plural 'des effets' to sound more natural.
The 'Élite' Marker
Use this in job interviews for executive roles in France; it signals high-level conceptual thinking.
Test Yourself
Complétez la phrase avec la forme correcte du verbe 'engendrer'.
La pollution atmosphérique _______ des effets graves sur la santé respiratoire.
The subject is 'La pollution' (singular), so the verb must be 'engendre'.
Choisissez l'adjectif le plus approprié pour un contexte formel.
Cette mesure risque d'engendrer des effets _______.
'Délétères' (harmful) matches the formal register of 'engendrer'.
Associez la phrase au contexte approprié.
Où utiliseriez-vous : 'L'instabilité politique engendre des effets de méfiance chez les investisseurs' ?
This is a formal, analytical sentence typical of financial journalism.
Complétez le dialogue de manière formelle.
Directeur : 'Quelles sont les retombées du projet ?' Analyste : 'Il _______ des effets positifs sur notre image.'
'Engendre' is the most professional choice here.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesLa pollution atmosphérique _______ des effets graves sur la santé respiratoire.
The subject is 'La pollution' (singular), so the verb must be 'engendre'.
Cette mesure risque d'engendrer des effets _______.
'Délétères' (harmful) matches the formal register of 'engendrer'.
Où utiliseriez-vous : 'L'instabilité politique engendre des effets de méfiance chez les investisseurs' ?
This is a formal, analytical sentence typical of financial journalism.
Directeur : 'Quelles sont les retombées du projet ?' Analyste : 'Il _______ des effets positifs sur notre image.'
'Engendre' is the most professional choice here.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questionsNo, but it is very common for negative or neutral systemic consequences. For purely positive things, 'produire' or 'générer' is also used.
Only in the biological sense (to father a child), which is very formal/old-fashioned. Don't use it to mean 'causing' a person to do something.
'Causer' is neutral and direct. 'Engendrer' is formal and suggests a generative process.
Yes, very often to describe the results of an experiment or a natural process.
Yes, it's a common variation, though 'susciter' is more frequent with 'réaction'.
Related Phrases
Entraîner des conséquences
synonymTo lead to consequences
Susciter des réactions
similarTo spark reactions
Porter ses fruits
contrastTo bear fruit
Faire boule de neige
builds onTo snowball
Induire en erreur
specialized formTo mislead
