alors

Alors is a common French word that functions as an adverb and as a conjunction, and it is widely used as a discourse marker in both spoken and written language. It can convey time, consequence, or a transition, and it often appears at the start of a sentence to frame what follows. The word originates from Old French, ultimately from a contraction of à lors, meaning “at that time,” and it has remained a versatile connector in modern French.

In its temporal sense, alors can refer to a moment in a sequence, similar to “then” or “at that time.” For example, Alors, il est parti means “Then he left.” In its causal or result sense, alors expresses consequence or conclusion, equivalent to “therefore” or “so.” For example, Il n’a pas étudié; alors il a échoué means “He didn’t study, so/therefore he failed.”

As a discourse marker, alors helps manage discourse, introduce a topic, or transition to a new point. It can soften a question, invite explanation, or buy time in conversation. Common usages include Alors, qu’est-ce que tu en penses? and Alors, revenons à notre sujet. In colloquial speech, it is frequent and can serve as a polite or informal bridge in dialogue.

Exclamatory and stylistic uses include alors! to express surprise or emphasis. While ubiquitous, alors can be stylistically marked; in formal writing it is often used sparingly, with preference given to more precise connectors depending on the intended meaning. Related expressions include alors que (while/whereas) and alors même que (even though).