de manière que

In Such a Way That with De Maniere Que

Level 5

Use de manière que to link an action to its consequence or its goal. It is a formal alternative to si bien que or pour que.

How It Works

De manière que is a formal conjunctive phrase that introduces a subordinate clause. It is highly versatile because it can express two different logical relationships:

1. Result (Consequence): When the action in the second clause has already happened or is a certain fact, use the indicative mood. In this context, it is synonymous with si bien que.
2. Purpose (Goal): When the second clause represents an intention or a desired outcome that hasn't happened yet, use the subjunctive mood. In this context, it is synonymous with pour que.

Morphology:
Like other phrases ending in que, it undergoes elision (becoming de manière qu') before a vowel or a mute 'h'.

Register:
This expression is primarily found in formal writing, literature, or administrative contexts. In casual speech, French speakers prefer si bien que for results or pour que for goals.

Examples (5)

  1. Il a plu toute la nuit, de manière que le sol est encore détrempé.

    It rained all night, in such a way that the ground is still soaked.

    Word by Word: It has rained all the night, of manner that the ground is still soaked.

    Here, the indicative 'est' is used because the soaked ground is a factual result of the rain.

  2. Disposez les chaises de manière que tout le monde puisse voir l'écran.

    Arrange the chairs in such a way that everyone can see the screen.

    Word by Word: Arrange the chairs of manner that all the world can see the screen.

    The subjunctive 'puisse' is used here because seeing the screen is the intended goal, not yet a realized fact.

  3. Il s'est exprimé de manière qu'on a tout compris.

    He expressed himself in such a way that we understood everything.

    Word by Word: He himself is expressed of manner that one has all understood.

    The indicative 'a compris' shows that the understanding actually occurred as a result of his speech.

  4. Parlez plus fort de manière qu'il vous entende.

    Speak louder so that he hears you.

    Word by Word: Speak more loud of manner that he you hears.

    The subjunctive 'entende' indicates the purpose of speaking louder.

  5. Il faudrait agir de manière que personne ne pourrait nous blâmer.

    One would have to act in such a way that no one could blame us.

    Word by Word: It would need to act of manner that no one [ne] could us blame.

    The conditional 'pourrait' is used here to express a hypothetical result.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the subjunctive for a factual result.

    Il a crié de manière que je l'aie entendu.
    Il a crié de manière que je l'ai entendu.

    If the hearing actually happened, you must use the indicative (ai entendu). The subjunctive (aie entendu) would imply you wanted him to be heard, which sounds unnatural here.

  • Using 'que' when the subject of both clauses is the same.

    Je cours de manière que je sois à l'heure.
    Je cours de manière à être à l'heure.

    When the subject is the same (Je... je...), it is much more natural to use de manière à + infinitive.

  • Using 'de manière à ce que' where 'de manière que' is neater.

    Different MeaningL'auteur écrit de manière à ce que le lecteur comprenne.
    L'auteur écrit de manière que le lecteur comprenne.

    'De manière à ce que' is correct and common in speech. Formal academic French often prefers the simpler 'de manière que'.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

de manière queLevel 5In Such a Way That with De Maniere Que

Learn This First

To learn 'de maniere que', you must understand the distinction between a real result (which uses the indicative) and an intended purpose (which uses the subjunctive). It functions exactly like 'de sorte que'. You should also be comfortable with subjunctive conjugations and the related infinitive expression 'de maniere a'.

Words in This Pattern

de manière quemanière