Structures idiomatiques et soutenues
were it not for, but for, come what may, be that as it may, as it were, lest.
| Structure | Sens | Exemple |
|---|---|---|
| were it not for / had it not been for / but for | si ce n'était / si ce n'avait été, sans | Were it not for you, I'd be lost. Had it not been for the rain, we'd have won. But for your help… |
| come what may | quoi qu'il arrive | I'll support you, come what may. |
| be that as it may | quoi qu'il en soit | Be that as it may, we must decide. |
| as it were | pour ainsi dire | He is, as it were, a living legend. |
| lest + (should) base | de peur que (très formel) | Speak quietly lest you wake the baby. |
| so be it | soit, ainsi soit-il | If that's your decision, so be it. |
| far be it from me to | loin de moi l'idée de | Far be it from me to criticise, but… |
| the + comparatif, the + comparatif | plus… plus | The sooner, the better. |
Test yourself
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Réécris : If it hadn't been for the traffic, we'd have arrived on time. (But for…)
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But for the traffic, we'd have arrived on time. -
Traduis : « Quoi qu'il arrive, je serai là. »
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Come what may, I'll be there. -
Traduis : « Quoi qu'il en soit, nous devons agir. »
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Be that as it may, we must act. -
Que signifie « as it were » ?
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pour ainsi dire