Meaning
After taking everything into consideration.
Cultural Background
In the French educational system, the 'dissertation' (essay) is a rite of passage. 'Tout bien considéré' is a 'mot-clé' (key word) that students are encouraged to use to show they have reached the 'synthèse' stage of their argument. While used in Quebec, speakers might also use 'Au bout du compte' or 'En fin de compte' more frequently in spoken language, influenced by the English 'at the end of the day'. Swiss French speakers often value precision and consensus. 'Tout bien considéré' fits perfectly into the Swiss 'culture du compromis' (culture of compromise) during political or communal debates. In formal Francophone African contexts, high-register French is often a mark of education and respect. This phrase is frequently heard in political speeches and formal radio broadcasts.
The Comma is Key
Always place a comma after 'Tout bien considéré' when it starts a sentence. It gives the reader/listener a moment to prepare for your conclusion.
Don't Overuse It
Using it more than once in a short conversation or essay makes you sound repetitive and overly formal. Switch to 'Somme toute' or 'En fin de compte' for variety.
Meaning
After taking everything into consideration.
The Comma is Key
Always place a comma after 'Tout bien considéré' when it starts a sentence. It gives the reader/listener a moment to prepare for your conclusion.
Don't Overuse It
Using it more than once in a short conversation or essay makes you sound repetitive and overly formal. Switch to 'Somme toute' or 'En fin de compte' for variety.
The 'Dissertation' Secret
If you are taking a French exam (DELF/DALF), using this phrase in your conclusion will almost certainly earn you extra points for 'cohesion and coherence'.
Think of the Scale
Before saying the phrase, take a physical pause. It reinforces the idea that you have actually 'considered' the facts.
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the phrase.
____, je pense que nous devrions accepter leur offre.
The standard fixed expression is 'Tout bien considéré'.
Which sentence uses the phrase in the most appropriate context?
Select the best usage:
The phrase is best suited for serious, analytical decisions like closing a business branch.
Choose the best response for Speaker B.
Speaker A: 'Alors, tu as décidé pour ton voyage en Inde ?' Speaker B: '____'
Speaker B provides a reasoned conclusion to a decision-making process.
Match the register to the correct sentence.
Registers: 1. Formal, 2. Neutral, 3. Slang
Formal uses 'nous déclinons', Neutral uses 'je ne pense pas', Slang uses 'En vrai'.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Register Comparison
Practice Bank
4 exercises____, je pense que nous devrions accepter leur offre.
The standard fixed expression is 'Tout bien considéré'.
Select the best usage:
The phrase is best suited for serious, analytical decisions like closing a business branch.
Speaker A: 'Alors, tu as décidé pour ton voyage en Inde ?' Speaker B: '____'
Speaker B provides a reasoned conclusion to a decision-making process.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Formal uses 'nous déclinons', Neutral uses 'je ne pense pas', Slang uses 'En vrai'.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
12 questionsNot exactly. 'After all' is usually 'Après tout' in French. 'Tout bien considéré' is closer to 'All things considered'.
Yes, it is perfect for professional emails when you are providing a final recommendation.
In this fixed form, it is invariable. However, if you say 'Toutes choses considérées', it must be feminine plural.
No, it is very modern and widely used in news, business, and education.
No, that is a common mistake. You must use the past participle 'considéré'.
In slang, you would just say 'Au final' or 'En vrai'.
It's rare. It usually starts the sentence or acts as an interjection in the middle.
Yes, especially in serious discussions or when someone is explaining a decision.
It means 'well'—as in 'thoroughly' considered.
You can, but it might sound like a joke because the phrase is quite serious.
Extremely common in 19th and 20th-century French literature.
'Somme toute' is more about a general summary, while 'Tout bien considéré' is about a specific judgment.
Related Phrases
Somme toute
synonymIn short / All in all
À bien y réfléchir
similarOn second thought / After thinking about it
Tout compte fait
synonymWhen all is said and done
En fin de compte
synonymUltimately / In the end
Cela dit
contrastThat being said
Au demeurant
specialized formMoreover / For that matter
