si bien que

So Much So That with Si Bien Que

Level 5

Si bien que is a formal way to say 'so much so that' or 'with the result that.' It connects a cause to its actual, observed consequence.

How It Works

In French, si bien que is a conjunction used to express a logical result or consequence. While it can sometimes imply that the intensity of an action led to a result, it is most frequently used to simply link a cause to its effect.

Key Rules:

  • Sentence Placement: Si bien que is used to link two clauses within the same sentence and should almost never be used to start a new sentence. If you need to start a new sentence to express a consequence, use par conséquent or c'est pourquoi instead.
  • Punctuation: It is almost always preceded by a comma to separate the cause from the effect.
  • Mood: You must use the indicative (e.g., passé composé, imparfait, or présent). Never use the subjunctive, as the result is presented as a reality.
  • Elision: The 'que' becomes qu' before a vowel or a mute 'h' (e.g., si bien qu'il).
  • Register: It is very common in written French. In casual speech, speakers often prefer du coup, alors, or donc.

Examples (4)

  1. Il a plu toute la nuit, si bien que la rivière a débordé.

    It rained all night, so much so that the river overflowed.

    Word by Word: It has rained all the night, so well that the river has overflowed.

    The rain is the cause, and the flooding is the factual result. Note the use of the passé composé after 'si bien que'.

  2. L'entreprise a accumulé des dettes, si bien qu'elle a dû fermer.

    The company accumulated debts, with the result that it had to close.

    Word by Word: The company has accumulated some debts, so well that she has had to close.

    Here, 'si bien que' undergoes elision before 'elle'. It marks a logical and final consequence.

  3. Il parlait très bas, si bien que personne ne l'entendait.

    He was speaking very quietly, so [that] no one could hear him.

    Word by Word: He was speaking very low, so well that nobody [negation] him was hearing.

    This shows a result in the past using the imparfait to describe an ongoing state of not being heard.

  4. Le train a eu du retard, si bien que j'ai manqué mon rendez-vous.

    The train was late, so I missed my appointment.

    Word by Word: The train has had some delay, so well that I have missed my appointment.

    A common everyday scenario where one event leads directly to another factual outcome.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the subjunctive mood after 'si bien que'.

    Il a neigé si bien qu'il ne puisse pas sortir.
    Il a neigé si bien qu'il ne peut pas sortir.

    Learners often confuse 'si bien que' with 'bien que' (although). While 'bien que' requires the subjunctive, 'si bien que' describes a fact and must take the indicative.

  • Confusing 'si bien que' with 'si... que'.

    Il est si bien que fatigué qu'il dort.
    Il est si fatigué qu'il dort.

    If you want to say 'so [adjective] that', use 'si + adjective + que'. 'Si bien que' is a fixed block used after a complete clause.

How It Connects

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

si bien queLevel 5So Much So That with Si Bien Que

Learn This First

To use 'si bien que' effectively, a learner needs to understand how to link two independent clauses to show a result. This requires a solid grasp of basic sentence structure, past tense conjugations for describing events, and simpler ways of expressing consequence like 'donc' or 'alors'.

Learn Next

Patterns that build on this one.

Words in This Pattern

si bien que