en revanche

On the Other Hand with En Revanche

Level 4

Use en revanche to say "on the other hand" when you want to highlight a positive trade-off or a compensation for a disadvantage.

How It Works

En revanche is a high-frequency connector in formal and written French. Its primary role is to provide a compensatory contrast.

1. The Nuance of Compensation
While often translated as "on the other hand," it specifically implies that the second point makes up for the first. For example, if a hotel is expensive (negative), but the service is excellent (positive), en revanche is the perfect connector.

2. Placement in the Sentence
As a locution adverbiale, it is flexible in placement:

  • Initial: Le trajet est long. En revanche, le paysage est magnifique.
  • Medial: Le trajet est long ; il est, en revanche, magnifique.

3. Register and Usage
This expression belongs to the soutenu (formal/sustained) register. In professional writing, literature, and formal speeches, it is preferred over par contre, which is considered more casual. Unlike au contraire, it cannot be used as a standalone exclamation to disagree with someone; it requires two clauses to balance each other.

Examples (4)

  1. Ce projet demandera beaucoup de temps ; en revanche, les résultats seront durables.

    This project will require a lot of time; on the other hand, the results will be long-lasting.

    Word by Word: This project will demand much of time; in return, the results will be durable.

    Here, the 'long time' (negative) is balanced by 'long-lasting results' (positive).

  2. La chambre est petite, mais en revanche elle offre une vue imprenable sur la mer.

    The room is small, but to make up for it, it offers a breathtaking view of the sea.

    Word by Word: The room is small, but in return she offers a view un-takeable on the sea.

    The breathtaking view compensates for the small size of the room.

  3. Il n'est pas très bavard ; il est, en revanche, très à l'écoute.

    He is not very talkative; he is, however, a very good listener.

    Word by Word: He is not very talkative; he is, in return, very at the listening.

    This shows the parenthetical (medial) placement of the phrase.

  4. Le film était un peu lent au début. En revanche, la fin était incroyable.

    The movie was a bit slow at the start. On the other hand, the ending was incredible.

    Word by Word: The film was a little slow at the start. In return, the end was incredible.

    The incredible ending compensates for the slow start.

Common Mistakes

  • Thinking 'en revanche' cannot introduce a negative point.

    Different MeaningIl fait beau ; en revanche, j'ai perdu mes clés.
    Il fait beau ; par contre, j'ai perdu mes clés.

    Both sentences are correct. 'En revanche' often suggests a balancing advantage, but it is also used for plain contrast, and it is a little more formal. 'Par contre' is the usual choice in speech.

  • Using 'en revanche' as a standalone exclamation.

    — Il est gentil. — En revanche !
    — Il est gentil. — Au contraire, il est méchant !

    Unlike 'au contraire', 'en revanche' cannot be used alone to contradict someone. It must connect two ideas within a discourse.

How It Connects

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

en revancheLevel 4On the Other Hand with En Revanche

Learn This First

To use 'en revanche' effectively, learners need to be comfortable with basic sentence construction and descriptive statements. This connector functions as a transition between two complete thoughts, typically balancing a negative point with a positive one (or vice versa), so a solid grasp of coordinating ideas is required.

Words in This Pattern

en revanche