de plus

The French adverbial phrase de plus serves as a fundamental logical connector in the French language, primarily functioning as a transition to introduce an additional point, argument, or piece of information that reinforces what has already been stated. In the realm of linguistics, it is categorized as a conjunctive adverb or a 'connecteur logique.' Its primary role is additive; it signals to the listener or reader that the speaker is not yet finished with their line of reasoning and is about to provide more evidence or another layer of detail. Unlike the simple conjunction 'et' (and), which merely joins two elements, de plus carries a certain rhetorical weight, suggesting that the subsequent information is of equal or even greater importance than the preceding statement. It is the French equivalent of 'furthermore,' 'moreover,' or 'in addition' in English.

The Additive Function

This phrase is used to stack arguments. If you are explaining why a city is a great place to live, you might mention the parks, and then use de plus to mention the excellent public transport system.

Historically, the construction stems from the preposition 'de' and the adverb 'plus,' which literally translates to 'of more.' Over centuries, this evolved into a fixed idiomatic expression used to structure discourse. In modern French, it is considered standard and versatile, appearing in both spoken and written forms. However, it leans slightly more toward formal or structured speech than its cousin 'en plus,' which is very common in casual conversation. When you use de plus, you are often engaging in a form of persuasion or detailed description. It is a favorite of journalists, academics, and professionals who need to organize their thoughts clearly. It helps prevent sentences from becoming overly long and 'run-on' by providing a clear breaking point where a new, related idea begins.

In terms of register, de plus is perfectly acceptable in a business meeting, a university essay, or a news broadcast. It avoids the slightly 'heavy' feel of more literary connectors like 'en outre' or 'de surcroît,' while remaining more polished than 'et puis.' Understanding when to use it involves recognizing the logical flow of your conversation. If you are simply listing items on a grocery list, you wouldn't use it. But if you are explaining the benefits of a specific diet, de plus is the perfect tool to transition from discussing weight loss to discussing increased energy levels. It creates a sense of cohesion, making the speaker sound more articulate and organized.

Logical Cohesion

It acts as a bridge between two independent clauses, ensuring that the transition between thoughts is smooth rather than abrupt.

Furthermore, the placement of de plus is relatively flexible, though it most commonly appears at the beginning of a sentence or a clause, followed by a comma. This comma is essential in writing as it provides the necessary pause for the reader to digest the previous point before moving to the next. In spoken French, this pause is reflected in the intonation. You might also find it in the middle of a sentence, tucked between the subject and the verb or after the auxiliary verb, though this is less common and often serves to emphasize the addition even more strongly. For example, 'Il a, de plus, refusé de s'excuser' (He, moreover, refused to apologize). This placement highlights the stubbornness of the subject by making the addition feel like an extra insult or a surprising secondary action.

Rhetorical Emphasis

Using it mid-sentence can add a layer of drama or specific focus to the added information, making it stand out more than a standard sentence-starter.

In conclusion, de plus is a versatile and essential tool for any French learner reaching the B1 level. It marks the transition from simple sentence construction to more complex, argumentative, and fluid discourse. By mastering its use, you can better express nuances, build stronger arguments, and sound more like a native speaker who is capable of organizing their thoughts with precision and clarity. Whether you are writing a formal letter or debating a topic with friends, de plus provides the structural integrity your sentences need to be truly effective.

Using de plus correctly requires an understanding of both its logical function and its grammatical placement within a sentence. As a transition word, its primary job is to connect two distinct ideas. The most standard way to use it is at the beginning of a new sentence that follows a related thought. This creates a clear, logical progression. For instance, if you say 'Le restaurant est très cher' (The restaurant is very expensive), and you want to add another negative point, you would start the next sentence with De plus, followed by a comma: 'De plus, le service est lent' (Furthermore, the service is slow). This structure is the most common and is highly recommended for learners as it is grammatically simple and stylistically effective.

Sentence-Initial Placement

When starting a sentence, 'De plus' must always be followed by a comma. This sets the stage for the additional information and alerts the reader to the additive nature of the sentence.

Another common usage is within a single sentence to join two independent clauses. In this case, de plus is often preceded by a semicolon or a coordinating conjunction like 'et.' For example: 'Il fait froid ; de plus, il pleut' (It is cold; moreover, it is raining). Using a semicolon is a more formal way to link the two ideas, suggesting they are closely related but grammatically independent. If you use 'et de plus,' it adds a bit more conversational flow: 'Il fait froid et de plus, il pleut.' Note that even when preceded by 'et,' a comma usually follows de plus to maintain the adverbial pause. This flexibility allows speakers to choose the level of formality and the 'rhythm' of their speech based on the context.

A more advanced placement for de plus is 'en incise,' meaning it is inserted into the middle of a clause, usually surrounded by commas. This is often done to emphasize the subject or the action. For example: 'Cette décision est, de plus, totalement illégale' (This decision is, furthermore, totally illegal). By placing the connector after the verb 'est,' the speaker draws more attention to the word 'illégale.' This technique is very common in persuasive writing, such as editorials or legal arguments, where the writer wants to hammer home a point. It interrupts the flow of the sentence just enough to make the reader pay closer attention to the added adjective or fact. It suggests that the illegality is an additional, perhaps even more shocking, quality of the decision.

Internal Placement (Incise)

Placing 'de plus' between commas inside a sentence adds stylistic flair and can change the emphasis of the statement, highlighting the added information more sharply.

It is also important to distinguish de plus from similar-looking phrases like 'plus de.' While de plus means 'furthermore,' 'plus de' is used for quantities, meaning 'more of' or 'more than.' For example, 'Il y a plus de sucre dans ce gâteau' (There is more sugar in this cake). Confusing these two is a common mistake for English speakers because 'more' can translate to both. Remember that de plus is an adverbial phrase that stands alone (often with a comma), whereas 'plus de' is followed by a noun or a number. Another related phrase is 'de plus en plus,' which means 'more and more.' This is used to describe a gradual increase: 'Il fait de plus en plus chaud' (It is getting hotter and hotter). Keeping these distinct will greatly improve your grammatical accuracy.

Contrast with Quantity

'De plus' = Logical addition (Furthermore). 'Plus de' = Quantitative addition (More of). Never swap them!

Finally, consider the emotional tone. While de plus is neutral, it can be used to build a 'stack' of complaints or praise. In an argument, using it repeatedly can make you sound very firm and well-prepared. 'Vous êtes en retard. De plus, vous n'avez pas apporté vos dossiers. De plus, vous n'avez pas prévenu.' This repetitive use (anaphora) is a rhetorical device used to overwhelm the listener with a series of points. While not recommended for everyday polite conversation, it shows the power of this simple connector in structuring not just sentences, but entire arguments and emotional appeals. Mastery of de plus is thus a mastery of French logical flow.

The phrase de plus is ubiquitous in the French-speaking world, but its frequency and context vary depending on the medium. One of the most common places you will encounter it is in the French news media. Whether you are watching the 'Journal de 20 heures' on TF1 or France 2, or reading a daily newspaper like 'Le Monde' or 'Le Figaro,' de plus is the workhorse of journalistic reporting. Journalists use it to transition between different aspects of a news story. For example, a reporter might describe a new government policy and then say, 'De plus, cette mesure sera appliquée dès le mois prochain' (Furthermore, this measure will be applied starting next month). It provides a professional, objective tone that is essential for news reporting.

Journalistic Context

In news broadcasts and articles, 'de plus' is used to add factual details or secondary developments to a primary story, maintaining a structured and informative flow.

In the academic world, de plus is an absolute staple. French education places a heavy emphasis on the 'dissertation' (a structured argumentative essay), and students are taught from a young age to use logical connectors to organize their arguments. In university lectures, professors use de plus to add layers to their explanations. If you are listening to a podcast about French history or philosophy, such as those found on 'France Culture,' you will hear this phrase constantly. It signals the transition from one point of analysis to the next. It is part of the 'langue soutenue' (formal language) that characterizes French intellectual life. For a learner, hearing de plus in these contexts is a sign that the speaker is moving deeper into their subject matter.

In the professional and corporate environment, de plus is the go-to connector for meetings, presentations, and emails. When a manager is outlining the goals for the next quarter, they might say, 'Nous devons augmenter nos ventes. De plus, nous devons améliorer la satisfaction client.' It sounds more professional and decisive than simply using 'et' or 'aussi.' In written professional communication, such as a 'lettre de motivation' (cover letter), using de plus to link your skills and experiences shows that you have a good command of formal French and can structure your thoughts logically. It is a 'safe' word—it is never too formal to be out of place in an office, yet it is formal enough to command respect.

Professional Communication

Used in emails and meetings to list requirements, goals, or achievements in a clear, bullet-point-like fashion within full sentences.

While de plus is common in formal settings, you will also hear it in everyday life, though perhaps less frequently than 'en plus.' In a casual conversation at a café, a friend might use de plus when they are being slightly more serious or emphatic about a topic. For example, if they are complaining about their landlord: 'Il ne répare rien. De plus, il a augmenté le loyer !' Here, de plus adds a level of indignation. It makes the second point feel like the 'final straw.' In this way, even in informal settings, the phrase retains its function of adding weight to an argument. You'll also hear it in documentaries, instructional videos (like cooking or DIY tutorials), and political speeches, where clear structure is paramount.

Everyday Emphasis

Even in casual speech, it can be used to emphasize a 'final straw' or a particularly important secondary point during a discussion.

Finally, you will see de plus in literature, from classic novels to contemporary fiction. Authors use it to build descriptions or to show the internal logic of a character's thoughts. In a detective novel, a character might realize: 'Il n'avait pas d'alibi. De plus, son empreinte a été retrouvée sur les lieux.' Here, it builds suspense by adding a crucial piece of evidence. Whether in high art or daily news, de plus is the glue that holds French discourse together, making it an essential phrase for any learner to recognize and eventually use with confidence.

One of the most frequent errors English speakers make when using de plus is confusing it with other phrases that contain the word 'plus.' The most common culprit is 'plus de.' In English, the word 'more' is used for both logical addition ('Furthermore, I like apples') and quantitative addition ('I want more apples'). In French, these are strictly separated. De plus is the logical connector, while 'plus de' is the quantitative marker. Saying 'J'ai de plus pommes' is incorrect; it must be 'J'ai plus de pommes.' Conversely, using 'plus de' as a sentence starter to mean 'furthermore' is a major grammatical error. Always remember: de plus stands alone as a transition, while 'plus de' is always followed by a noun or a number.

Confusion with 'Plus de'

Mistake: 'Plus de, il est gentil.' (Incorrect). Correct: 'De plus, il est gentil.' (Furthermore, he is kind). Mistake: 'Je veux de plus café.' (Incorrect). Correct: 'Je veux plus de café.' (I want more coffee).

Another common mistake involves the register and the choice between de plus and 'en plus.' While they both mean 'in addition,' 'en plus' is much more informal. Using 'en plus' in a formal essay or a professional business letter can make the writing seem amateurish or overly colloquial. On the other hand, using de plus in a very casual conversation with close friends might sound a bit stiff or 'bookish.' However, for learners, de plus is generally the safer bet as it is never truly 'wrong' in terms of politeness, whereas 'en plus' can definitely be too informal for certain situations. A specific trap with 'en plus' is the phrase 'et en plus,' which is very common in speech but should be avoided in formal writing in favor of just de plus or 'en outre.'

Punctuation is another area where mistakes frequently occur. In French, logical connectors like de plus, 'cependant,' and 'par conséquent' are almost always followed by a comma when they start a sentence. Many learners forget this comma, which can make the sentence harder to read and slightly 'off' to a native eye. The comma represents the natural pause in speech that separates the transition word from the main idea. For example, 'De plus il est venu' feels rushed; 'De plus, il est venu' is correct. Similarly, if de plus is used in the middle of a sentence, it should usually be set off by commas: 'Il a, de plus, décidé de partir.' Forgetting these commas is a common oversight that can easily be fixed with a bit of attention to detail.

Punctuation Errors

Always follow 'De plus' with a comma at the start of a sentence. If it's in the middle, surround it with commas like a 'sandwich.'

A more subtle mistake is using de plus when 'd'ailleurs' or 'par ailleurs' would be more appropriate. While all three add information, they do so in different ways. De plus adds a point that supports the same argument. 'D'ailleurs' often adds a point that justifies or explains the previous one, often with a sense of 'besides' or 'as a matter of fact.' 'Par ailleurs' is used to shift the focus to a different aspect of the topic, similar to 'on another note.' Using de plus when you are actually changing the subject can be confusing. For example, if you are talking about a car's engine and then want to talk about its color, 'par ailleurs' is better than de plus, because the color isn't necessarily a supporting argument for the engine's quality.

Misuse of Logic

Use 'de plus' for points that go in the same direction. If you are changing the angle of your discussion, consider 'par ailleurs' instead.

Finally, be careful with the pronunciation of the 's' in 'plus.' In the phrase de plus, the 's' is generally pronounced ([də plys]), especially when it's at the end of a clause or sentence. However, in 'plus de' followed by a consonant, the 's' is often silent ([ply də]). This is a tricky rule in French phonetics that can lead to confusion. If you say [də ply] without the 's' sound, it might sound like you are starting a different phrase or simply making a pronunciation error. Practicing the clear [s] sound at the end of de plus will make your French sound much more natural and confident.

To truly master French, you need a variety of connectors to avoid sounding repetitive. While de plus is a fantastic all-purpose tool, there are several alternatives that can add nuance and sophistication to your speech and writing. The most formal alternative is en outre. This phrase is almost exclusively used in formal writing, such as academic papers, legal documents, or high-level journalism. It means exactly the same thing as de plus but carries a much higher register. If you are writing a dissertation for a French university, using 'en outre' will demonstrate a sophisticated vocabulary. However, using it in a casual chat about what you did over the weekend would sound quite out of place.

En outre (Formal)

Comparison: 'De plus' is standard/professional. 'En outre' is formal/literary. Use 'en outre' in essays to impress your teacher.

Another common alternative is par ailleurs. While often translated as 'furthermore' or 'moreover,' par ailleurs has a slightly different logical function. It is used when you want to add a point that is related to the general topic but looks at it from a different angle or perspective. It's like saying 'on another note' or 'from another point of view.' For example, if you are discussing the economic benefits of a new law, you might use de plus to add another economic benefit. But if you then want to mention the social impact of the law, par ailleurs would be the better choice. It signals a slight shift in the focus of the conversation while still staying on the same broad subject.

For even more emphasis, you can use de surcroît. This is a very formal and somewhat rare phrase that means 'moreover' or 'to boot.' It is often used when the added point is particularly significant or serves as a final, decisive argument. It's like the 'cherry on top' of an argument, but usually in a serious context. For example: 'Il a menti à la police ; de surcroît, il a tenté de s'enfuir.' This makes the second action seem even more egregious. Another emphatic option is qui plus est, which translates roughly to 'what is more.' It is used to introduce a fact that is even more surprising or important than the one before it. It's a great way to build drama in your storytelling or strength in your debating.

De surcroît & Qui plus est (Emphatic)

These are 'power' connectors. Use them when the second point is much more important than the first, or to add a dramatic flair to your conclusion.

On the more informal side, we have en plus and d'ailleurs. As mentioned before, en plus is the everyday version of de plus. It is extremely common in spoken French. 'D'ailleurs' is often translated as 'besides' or 'moreover,' but it often carries a sense of 'by the way' or 'for that matter.' It is used to provide a justification or a supporting fact that might have just occurred to the speaker. For example: 'Je ne veux pas sortir, il pleut. D'ailleurs, je n'ai pas d'argent.' Here, 'd'ailleurs' adds a second, perhaps more practical reason for not wanting to go out. It feels more spontaneous than the structured de plus. Understanding these subtle differences allows you to tailor your French to any situation.

D'ailleurs (Spontaneous/Justifying)

Use 'd'ailleurs' when adding a reason that just popped into your head, or to say 'besides' in a casual way.

Finally, don't forget simple words like aussi (also) and également (likewise). While they don't always function as sentence starters in the same way, they are essential for adding information within a sentence. 'Il est grand et il est aussi très fort.' Using a mix of all these terms—de plus, en outre, par ailleurs, en plus, and aussi—will make your French sound rich, varied, and natural. It shows that you aren't just translating from English, but that you understand the internal logic and stylistic range of the French language itself.