moyennant
In Exchange for with Moyennant
Moyennant is a formal preposition used to link a result to a necessary condition, price, or exchange. It is most common in legal, administrative, and professional contexts.
How It Works
The term moyennant originated as the present participle of the verb moyenner (to mediate), but it now functions strictly as a preposition.
1. Usage and Meaning:
It primarily means 'in exchange for' or 'provided that [something] is given.' While often associated with money, it can apply to any prerequisite condition. In standard French, you might use synonyms like contre (against/in exchange for), avec (with), or grâce à (thanks to) to express similar ideas.
2. Register and Nuance:
Generally, this is a style soutenu (formal style) expression found in legal contracts, administrative documents, and high-level journalism. It is used to indicate a condition or a means to an end. Unlike more common prepositions, it carries a professional or literary tone.
3. Grammatical Structure:
- It is followed directly by a noun or noun phrase.
- In formal locutions, the article (le, la, un) is often omitted: moyennant préavis (subject to notice).
- It never takes the preposition de after it.
4. Fixed Expressions:
- Moyennant quoi: A logical connector meaning 'whereupon' or 'in exchange for which.' It is typical of standard to formal French, often used in journalism or structured argumentation to link a condition to its consequence.
- Moyennant finance(s): For a fee / in exchange for payment. Note that while the plural is common today, the singular finance is the traditional preference of the Académie Française.
Examples (4)
- Le contrat peut être résilié moyennant un préavis de trois mois.
The contract can be terminated subject to three months' notice.
Word by Word: The contract can be terminated by-means-of a notice of three months.
In legal contexts, 'moyennant' sets the condition (the notice period) required for the action (termination) to be valid.
- Il a accepté de témoigner moyennant l'anonymat.
He agreed to testify in exchange for anonymity.
Word by Word: He has accepted to testify by-means-of the anonymity.
Here, 'moyennant' shows the 'price' or condition for his cooperation.
- L'accès au salon VIP est possible moyennant finance.
Access to the VIP lounge is possible for a fee.
Word by Word: The access to-the lounge VIP is possible by-means-of finance.
This is a very common formal way to say that a service requires payment.
- Moyennant quelques efforts, vous réussirez cet examen.
With some effort, you will pass this exam.
Word by Word: By-means-of some efforts, you will-succeed-in this exam.
Though formal, it can be used for non-monetary conditions like 'effort' or 'patience'.
Common Mistakes
Using 'moyennant que' as a conjunction.
Moyennant qu'il paie, il peut entrer.À condition qu'il paie, il peut entrer.In modern French, 'moyennant' is a preposition and must be followed by a noun. Using 'moyennant que' with a verb is archaic. Use à condition que instead.
Adding a preposition after 'moyennant'.
Il vous aide moyennant à une petite somme.Il vous aide moyennant une petite somme.'Moyennant' is itself a preposition, so it is followed directly by its noun: 'moyennant une petite somme', 'moyennant finance'.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand 'moyennant', a learner needs to be comfortable with basic prepositions and the formal register of French. It is primarily used in professional or legal contexts followed by a noun, often replacing simpler constructions like 'avec' or 'pour' to indicate a condition or exchange.
- pourFor with Pour
Understanding the basic preposition for 'for' provides a conceptual foundation for more formal alternatives like 'moyennant'.
Level 1 - -tion / -ment / -ageTurning Verbs into Nouns
Moyennant is frequently used with abstract nouns (e.g., 'moyennant paiement'), so familiarity with how French nouns are formed from verbs is helpful.
Level 4 - Formal versus casual register contrast
Since 'moyennant' is a formal preposition used in legal and administrative contexts, understanding register differences is essential for its correct application.
Level 6
Related Patterns
- avecWith with Avec
In casual speech, 'avec' often replaces the conditional sense of 'moyennant'.
Level 1 - à condition que + SubjunctiveOn the Condition That with a Condition Que
The verbal equivalent used to express a condition followed by a clause.
Level 3 - au regard deIn Light of with Au Regard De
Another formal preposition used in administrative and legal contexts.
Level 5
Words in This Pattern
Practice moyennant in Bubblegum
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