sinon

Otherwise with Sinon

Level 4

Sinon is most commonly used to mean 'otherwise' or 'if not'. It can also mean 'except' or serve as a casual way to change the subject in conversation.

How It Works

1. Expressing a Negative Hypothesis ('Otherwise')
In this role, sinon links two ideas where the second is the consequence of the first not happening. It is often interchangeable with sans quoi.
Example: Mange ta soupe, sinon elle va refroidir. (Eat your soup, otherwise it will get cold.)

2. Marking an Exception ('Except')
When used after a negative or interrogative clause, it means 'except for' or 'save for'.
Example: Qui d'autre sinon lui ? (Who else except him?)

3. Gradation ('If not [even]')
Sinon can introduce a stronger or more precise alternative to the first term, often suggesting a higher degree of intensity.
Example: C'est une tâche difficile, sinon impossible. (It is a difficult, if not impossible, task.)

4. Sinon que ('Except that')
When followed by que, it introduces a clause meaning 'except that'. This construction generally uses the indicative mood for facts. However, it can take the subjunctive if the clause expresses a necessity or a wish (e.g., Je ne vois pas d'autre issue, sinon qu'il vienne.).

5. Casual Discourse Marker and Ellipsis
In spoken French, Et sinon... is a common way to transition to a new topic. Additionally, sinon can be used alone at the end of a sentence as a threat (Fais-le, sinon !), meaning 'or else!'.

6. Sinon vs. Si non
Sinon (one word) is the conjunction. Si non (two words) is used when 'non' replaces a full negative clause in a conditional structure, such as in binary choices (si oui ou si non).

Examples (6)

  1. Dépêche-toi, sinon nous allons rater le début du film.

    Hurry up, otherwise we are going to miss the start of the movie.

    Word by Word: Hurry yourself, otherwise we go to miss the start of the film.

    Here, 'sinon' introduces the negative consequence of not hurrying.

  2. Il n'y a personne ici sinon mon frère.

    There is no one here except my brother.

    Word by Word: It not there has no one here except my brother.

    In this context, 'sinon' acts as a synonym for 'excepté' or 'sauf'.

  3. C'est l'un des meilleurs restaurants de la ville, sinon le meilleur.

    It is one of the best restaurants in town, if not the best.

    Word by Word: It is the one of the best restaurants of the town, if not the best.

    This shows 'sinon' used for gradation, suggesting a stronger alternative.

  4. Je n'ai rien à ajouter, sinon que tout s'est bien passé.

    I have nothing to add, except that everything went well.

    Word by Word: I not have nothing to add, except that all itself is well passed.

    Using 'sinon que' to introduce a specific exception clause in the indicative mood.

  5. Range ta chambre tout de suite, sinon... !

    Clean your room right now, or else...!

    Word by Word: Arrange your room all of suite, otherwise... !

    In spoken French, 'sinon' is often used elliptically as a standalone threat, meaning 'or else'.

  6. Et sinon, quoi de neuf depuis la dernière fois ?

    And anyway, what's new since last time?

    Word by Word: And otherwise, what of new since the last time?

    A classic example of 'sinon' used as a casual transition in spoken French.

Common Mistakes

  • Assuming 'sinon que' always takes the indicative mood.

    Je ne vois pas d'autre solution, sinon qu'il part.
    Je ne vois pas d'autre solution, sinon qu'il s'en aille.

    While 'sinon que' usually takes the indicative to state a fact, it requires the subjunctive when it expresses a necessity, a wish, or a doubt, similar to other necessity triggers.

  • Confusing 'sinon' with 'si non' in standard sentences.

    Travaille dur, si non tu échoueras.
    Travaille dur, sinon tu échoueras.

    The conjunction meaning 'otherwise' is always written as one word: 'sinon'. Use 'si non' only when 'non' stands in for a full negative clause, often in contrast to 'si oui'.

How It Connects

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

sinonLevel 4Otherwise with Sinon

Learn This First

To use 'sinon' effectively, you need to understand how to form commands (imperative) and basic conditional statements, as 'sinon' acts as a shortcut for expressing a negative condition ('if you don't do this, then...').

Words in This Pattern

sinonsinon