faute de + Noun / Infinitive
For Lack of with Faute De
Faute de means "for lack of" or "due to the absence of." It explains why something didn't happen or why a second-best choice was made because a necessary resource or action was missing.
How It Works
The expression faute de functions as a causal marker that highlights a privative cause (a cause based on what is missing).
1. Usage with Nouns
When followed by a noun, the definite article is almost always dropped. You say faute de temps, not faute du temps. The noun remains singular or plural based on the logic of the lack (e.g., faute de preuves — lack of evidence).
2. Usage with Infinitives
It can be followed by a present infinitive or, very frequently in formal writing, an infinitif passé. The past infinitive is used when the lack of action preceded the consequence: Faute d'avoir été prévenu... (For lack of having been warned...).
3. Nuance vs. Similar Expressions
- Faute de vs. À défaut de: While often interchangeable, à défaut de more strongly implies a substitution (if X is not available, Y will do), whereas faute de focuses on the lack itself as the reason for an outcome.
- Faute de quoi: A common relative construction meaning "failing which" or "otherwise," used to introduce the consequence of a lack: Il doit payer, faute de quoi il sera poursuivi.
- Faute de mieux: A very common fixed expression meaning "for want of anything better" or "making do."
4. Register and Distinctions
Be careful not to confuse faute de (lack of) with par la faute de (due to the error/blame of). While common in literature and administration, faute de is perfectly natural in careful spoken French to justify a change in plans or a failure.
Examples (5)
- Faute de temps, nous n'avons pas pu finir la réunion.
For lack of time, we weren't able to finish the meeting.
Word by Word: Lack of time, we not have not could finish the meeting.
Notice that 'temps' has no article (le/du) after 'faute de'.
- Le match a été annulé faute de combattants.
The match was cancelled for lack of contestants.
Word by Word: The match has been cancelled lack of fighters.
This is a common idiomatic way to say a project failed because not enough people participated.
- Faute d'avoir reçu votre chèque, nous suspendons votre abonnement.
For lack of having received your check, we are suspending your subscription.
Word by Word: Lack of to have received your check, we suspend your subscription.
Here, 'faute de' is used with a past infinitive to show the missing action happened before the suspension.
- Nous avons dormi dans la voiture, faute de trouver un hôtel.
We slept in the car, for lack of finding a hotel.
Word by Word: We have slept in the car, lack of to find a hotel.
The present infinitive 'trouver' shows the ongoing inability to find a hotel caused the result.
- Je vais prendre ce café, faute de mieux.
I'll take this coffee, for want of anything better.
Word by Word: I go to take this coffee, lack of better.
This uses the fixed expression 'faute de mieux' to indicate a second-best choice.
Common Mistakes
Using a definite article after 'faute de'.
Faute de la patience, il a abandonné.Faute de patience, il a abandonné.In this construction, the article is omitted. It is 'faute de [noun]', not 'faute de la/du [noun]'.
Confusing 'faute de' with 'par la faute de'.
Faute de mon frère, nous sommes en retard.Par la faute de mon frère, nous sommes en retard.'Faute de' means 'for lack of' (something missing). To say something is someone's fault or due to their error, use 'par la faute de'.
Confusing 'faute de' with 'sans faute'.
Je viendrai faute de.Je viendrai sans faute.'Sans faute' means 'without fail' or 'certainly.' 'Faute de' must be followed by the thing that is missing.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To use 'faute de', you need to understand how the preposition 'de' functions to link ideas and how infinitives are used in their base form to represent actions.
- de (provenance / appartenance)Origin, Possession with De
The pattern 'faute de' is built using the preposition 'de', which is essential for linking the noun or infinitive to the expression.
Level 1 - Verbs linked directly to an infinitive
Understanding how infinitives function as verbal nouns is necessary since 'faute de' can be followed directly by an infinitive without further conjugation.
Level 2
Related Patterns
- parce queBecause with Parce Que
'Faute de' is a more specific, formal way to express cause than the general 'parce que'.
Level 3 - Past infinitive with avoir or etre
'Faute de' is frequently used with the past infinitive to describe a missing prior action.
Level 5 - -tion / -ment / -ageTurning Verbs into Nouns
Using 'faute de' often requires turning a verb into a noun (nominalization) to keep the sentence concise.
Level 4
Words in This Pattern
Practice faute de + Noun / Infinitive in Bubblegum
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