en plus de

The French phrase en plus de is a versatile and essential prepositional locution that translates most accurately to 'in addition to' or 'as well as' in English. While it might seem simple at first glance, its utility in both spoken and written French cannot be overstated. It serves as a linguistic bridge, allowing speakers to layer information, add supplementary details, and expand on a primary thought without creating fragmented or disjointed sentences. In the hierarchy of French connectors, en plus de sits comfortably between the basic coordinating conjunction 'et' (and) and more formal transitions like 'outre' (besides) or 'de surcroît' (moreover). It is frequently employed when the speaker wants to emphasize that one thing is being added to another, often implying a sense of abundance, variety, or sometimes even an overwhelming accumulation of tasks or items.

Grammatical Category

Prepositional Phrase / Locution prépositive

Core Function

Adding supplementary information to a noun, pronoun, or infinitive verb.

When using en plus de, it is crucial to understand that it establishes a relationship of inclusion. It tells the listener that the element following the 'de' is not the only thing under consideration. For instance, if you are describing a person's talents, you might say they are a musician 'en plus d'être' a painter. This construction highlights the duality of their skills. In daily life, you will hear this phrase in nearly every context: from a waiter listing side dishes to a manager detailing extra responsibilities at work. It is neutral in register, meaning it is perfectly acceptable in a casual conversation with friends, a professional email to a colleague, or a formal academic essay.

One of the most interesting aspects of this phrase is its phonetic behavior. In 'en plus de', the 's' at the end of 'plus' is almost always pronounced as a crisp /s/ sound. This distinguishes it from other uses of 'plus' where the 's' might be silent (such as in negative 'ne... plus'). This phonetic clarity helps listeners immediately identify that an addition is being made. Furthermore, the preposition 'de' at the end is subject to the standard rules of French contraction. If it precedes a masculine singular noun starting with a consonant, it becomes 'du' (en plus du pain). If it precedes a plural noun, it becomes 'des' (en plus des livres). This adaptability makes it a seamless part of the French sentence structure, allowing for fluid transitions between ideas.

In a broader cultural sense, the use of en plus de reflects the French linguistic tendency toward precision and logical structuring of thoughts. Rather than simply listing items with 'et', 'en plus de' provides a specific logical connector that signals to the audience exactly how the pieces of information relate to one another. It suggests a hierarchy or a sequence where the primary subject is reinforced by the secondary one. This is particularly useful in persuasive writing or argumentative speech, where building a case often requires stacking multiple points of evidence. By mastering this phrase, learners move beyond basic sentence construction and begin to weave more complex and nuanced narratives in French.

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Universal (Formal to Informal)

Synonym Density

Medium-High (Can be replaced by 'outre' in formal text or 'ainsi que' in lists).

Finally, it is worth noting that en plus de is often used at the very beginning of a sentence to set the stage for a multi-faceted statement. Starting with 'En plus de...' immediately tells the listener that there is a 'given' fact, and a 'new' fact is about to be introduced. This rhetorical device is very common in French journalism and public speaking. For example, 'En plus de la crise économique, le pays fait face à une crise sociale.' Here, the phrase frames the economic crisis as a known factor, while the social crisis is the primary point of the current news. This structural flexibility is one of the reasons why 'en plus de' is one of the first advanced connectors taught to French learners at the A2 and B1 levels.

Using en plus de correctly requires an understanding of what can follow the preposition 'de'. Unlike some conjunctions that require a full clause (subject + verb), 'en plus de' is followed by a noun, a pronoun, or a verb in the infinitive form. This makes it a very efficient way to pack information into a sentence without needing to repeat subjects or conjugate multiple verbs in the same tense. Let's explore these three primary constructions in detail to see how they function in real-world French.

Pattern 1: Followed by a Noun

This is the most common usage. Example: 'En plus de la pluie, il y a du vent.' (In addition to the rain, there is wind.)

When followed by a noun, you must pay close attention to the definite article. If the noun is feminine (la) or starts with a vowel (l'), the 'de' remains unchanged (en plus de la, en plus de l'). However, if the noun is masculine singular (le) or plural (les), the 'de' contracts. 'En plus + le' becomes en plus du, and 'en plus + les' becomes en plus des. This is a fundamental rule of French grammar that applies here just as it does with other prepositions. Forgetting these contractions is a frequent mistake for English speakers, as English does not have an equivalent system of merging prepositions and articles.

The second major pattern involves using en plus de with an infinitive verb. This is a powerful construction because it allows you to describe two actions performed by the same subject. In English, we often use the gerund (-ing form) for this: 'In addition to studying, he works.' In French, we use the infinitive: 'En plus d'étudier, il travaille.' Note the elision of 'de' to 'd'' before the vowel. This structure is very common when listing skills on a resume or describing a busy lifestyle. It conveys a sense of multitasking and productivity.

Pattern 2: Followed by an Infinitive

Used to link two actions. Example: 'En plus de chanter, il joue du piano.' (In addition to singing, he plays the piano.)

The third pattern is using en plus de with a pronoun. This is used when you want to refer back to someone or something already mentioned. For example, 'J'ai invité Paul, et en plus de lui, j'ai invité Marie.' (I invited Paul, and in addition to him, I invited Marie.) Here, the stressed pronoun (lui, elle, eux, elles, moi, toi, nous, vous) is used after the preposition. This is particularly useful in social contexts when clarifying who is involved in an activity or event.

Placement in the sentence is also a key consideration. While en plus de often appears in the middle of a sentence to join two elements, placing it at the very beginning provides a different rhetorical weight. Starting with the 'addition' emphasizes the extra nature of the information. For example, 'En plus de son salaire, il reçoit des bonus.' sounds more emphatic about the bonuses than 'Il reçoit des bonus en plus de son salaire.' French speakers use this front-loading technique to prioritize certain information or to create a more dramatic effect in storytelling or reporting.

Pattern 3: Followed by a Stressed Pronoun

Example: 'Qui vient en plus d'elle ?' (Who is coming in addition to her?)

Finally, let's look at the phrase 'En plus de ça' or 'En plus de cela'. This is an extremely common way to say 'In addition to that' or 'On top of that'. It is used as a transition between two distinct sentences or ideas. While 'cela' is more formal and used in writing, 'ça' is the standard in spoken French. You will hear French people start sentences with 'En plus de ça...' constantly in conversation to add a final, often decisive, point to their argument. It functions similarly to 'What's more' or 'Furthermore' in English, but feels more integrated into the natural flow of spoken French.

The phrase en plus de is ubiquitous in the French-speaking world, appearing in a vast array of contexts ranging from the most mundane daily interactions to high-level political discourse. If you were to spend a day in a French city, you would likely hear this phrase dozens of times. In a bakery (boulangerie), a customer might ask for a baguette 'en plus de' the croissants they already ordered. In this context, it is a simple tool for commerce, ensuring that the transaction is clear and that no items are forgotten. The phrase acts as a verbal checklist, helping both the speaker and the listener keep track of multiple items.

In the Workplace

Used to describe job descriptions, project requirements, and meeting agendas.

In a professional setting, en plus de is the standard way to discuss expanding scopes of work. A project manager might say, 'En plus de la conception, nous devons gérer la distribution.' This usage is critical for defining boundaries and expectations. It clarifies that the new task is supplementary to the original agreement. You will also see it frequently in job advertisements: 'En plus d'une maîtrise du français, le candidat doit parler anglais couramment.' Here, it sets a clear bar for qualifications, indicating that one skill is a prerequisite and the other is an essential addition.

Media and journalism are other prime locations for this phrase. News anchors use it to link related stories or to add data points to a report. For example, 'En plus des inondations dans le sud, une tempête approche de l'ouest.' This allows the reporter to present a comprehensive view of the current situation. In weather reports, it's used to describe compound conditions: 'Il y aura du verglas en plus de la neige.' By using this phrase, journalists can maintain a brisk pace while still delivering a high volume of information to the viewers. It is a staple of 'journalese' because of its clarity and efficiency.

In the realm of French cinema and literature, en plus de is used to build character and plot. A character might complain about their bad luck: 'En plus de perdre mes clés, j'ai raté mon train !' This usage adds a layer of emotion—frustration, in this case—to the simple fact of the events. It emphasizes the 'piling on' of misfortunes. Conversely, it can be used to describe someone's virtues in a romantic or appreciative context: 'En plus d'être belle, elle est d'une grande bonté.' Here, the phrase serves to elevate the subject, suggesting that their qualities are multifaceted and deep.

In Everyday Gossip

Used to add 'one more thing' to a story, often for dramatic effect.

Finally, you will hear it in educational settings. Teachers use en plus de to explain concepts or assign homework. 'En plus de l'exercice 5, vous devez lire le chapitre 3.' It is a clear, unambiguous way to set requirements. In academic lectures, it helps professors structure their arguments: 'En plus de la théorie de Marx, nous examinerons celle de Weber.' This usage is vital for students to follow the logic of the lesson. Across all these domains, the phrase remains a constant, providing the structural glue that holds complex French sentences together and ensures that the relationship between different pieces of information is always transparent.

Even though en plus de is a relatively common phrase, learners often stumble over several key points. The most frequent error involves the contraction of the preposition 'de' with definite articles. Many English speakers forget that 'de + le' must become 'du' and 'de + les' must become 'des'. For example, saying 'en plus de le livre' is a major grammatical error that marks the speaker as a beginner. The correct form is 'en plus du livre'. Similarly, 'en plus de les enfants' must be 'en plus des enfants'. Mastering these contractions is essential for sounding natural and correct in French.

Mistake #1: Forgetting Contractions

Incorrect: en plus de le café. Correct: en plus du café.

Another common pitfall is the confusion between en plus de and de plus. While they look similar and both involve 'addition', they function differently in a sentence. 'En plus de' is a preposition that must be followed by something (a noun, a pronoun, or an infinitive). 'De plus' is an adverbial phrase that usually stands alone at the beginning of a sentence or after a semicolon to mean 'furthermore' or 'moreover'. You cannot say 'De plus mon travail, je fais du sport.' You must say 'En plus de mon travail, je fais du sport.' Conversely, you wouldn't say 'En plus de, il fait froid.' You would say 'De plus, il fait froid.'

The third major error is the 's' pronunciation in 'plus'. In many French phrases, the 's' in 'plus' is silent (e.g., 'je n'en veux plus' - I don't want any more). However, in the phrase en plus de, the 's' is pronounced /plys/. If you leave the 's' silent, it can confuse the listener or make the sentence sound 'off'. While native speakers might occasionally drop the 's' in very fast, informal speech, learners should aim to pronounce it clearly to ensure they are understood correctly. This is one of the few instances where 'plus' consistently keeps its 's' sound regardless of the following word.

A more subtle mistake involves using 'en plus de' with a conjugated verb. Unlike English, where you can say 'In addition to he works here...', French requires a different structure. You cannot say 'En plus de il travaille ici...'. You must use the infinitive: 'En plus de travailler ici...'. If the subjects of the two actions are different, you cannot use 'en plus de' with a verb; you would need a conjunction like 'outre le fait que' or simply use 'et' with a new clause. For example: 'Il travaille ici, et en plus, son frère l'aide.' (He works here, and what's more, his brother helps him.)

Mistake #2: Using with Conjugated Verbs

Always follow with an infinitive if the subject is the same.

Finally, learners sometimes confuse en plus de with en plus que. While 'plus que' is used in comparisons (e.g., 'il est plus grand que moi'), 'en plus que' is not a standard phrase in French. You might hear 'en plus du fait que' (in addition to the fact that), but simply 'en plus que' followed by a noun or verb is incorrect. Sticking to the 'de' (and its contracted forms) is the safest and most correct way to use this expression in all contexts.

French offers a variety of ways to express addition, each with its own nuance and register. While en plus de is the most common and versatile, knowing the alternatives can help you fine-tune your speech and writing. The most direct alternative is outre. This word is more formal and is often used in literary or administrative contexts. It also means 'besides' or 'in addition to'. For example, 'Outre ses responsabilités habituelles...' sounds more sophisticated than 'En plus de ses responsabilités...'. However, 'outre' is rarely heard in casual conversation.

Comparison: En plus de vs. Outre

En plus de: Neutral, used everywhere. Outre: Formal, literary, administrative.

Another frequent alternative is ainsi que. This phrase is closer to 'as well as' or 'along with'. It is often used to join nouns in a list. For example, 'Il a acheté du pain ainsi que du lait.' While 'en plus de' emphasizes the addition of something extra, 'ainsi que' feels more like a balanced list of items. It is very common in journalism and formal writing to avoid repeating the word 'et'. It does not require the 'de' preposition, which can sometimes simplify sentence construction for learners.

For a more emphatic or administrative tone, one might use en sus de. This specifically refers to something added on top of a base amount, often regarding money or legal requirements. You might see this on a bill: 'Frais de service en sus du prix affiché.' It is quite technical and not used for general addition like 'en plus de'. Similarly, conjointement à means 'jointly with' or 'alongside', implying that two things are happening at the same time and in coordination with each other.

In conversational French, you will often hear sans compter, which literally means 'without counting'. This is used when the addition is particularly significant or surprising. 'Il a trois voitures, sans compter sa collection de motos !' This adds a rhetorical flair that en plus de lacks. It suggests that the speaker is almost losing track of everything being added. It is a great way to add emphasis and color to your stories in French.

Comparison: En plus de vs. Sans compter

En plus de: Objective addition. Sans compter: Emphatic addition, suggesting a large quantity.

Finally, let's consider par-dessus le marché. This is an idiomatic expression that means 'to top it all off' or 'into the bargain'. It is usually used for negative additions, like a series of unfortunate events. 'Il a perdu son travail, et par-dessus le marché, sa voiture est tombée en panne.' While en plus de is neutral, 'par-dessus le marché' carries a strong sense of 'and as if that wasn't enough'. Understanding these subtle differences allows you to choose the exact right word for the emotion and context you wish to convey.