il n'empêche que
That Doesn't Change the Fact That with Il N'empeche Que
Use il n’empêche que to say "the fact remains that" or "still." It allows you to acknowledge a previous statement while insisting that your next point is still valid.
How It Works
1. Meaning and Usage
The phrase literally translates to "it doesn't prevent that," but it functions as a transition word like néanmoins or cependant. It is used to show that despite what was just said, the following information is still a reality.
2. Register and Variations
The expression changes based on how formal the situation is:
- Formal: Il n’empêche que... (Full form)
- Standard: N’empêche que... (Dropping the 'il')
- Informal: N’empêche, ... (Used as an interjection or sentence adverb)
3. Grammatical Structure
One of the most important things to remember is that it uses the indicative mood (the standard present, past, or future). Even though it contains a negation (ne), the word pas is traditionally omitted in the fixed expression il n'empêche que. If you add pas, it often shifts to a literal meaning and may trigger the subjunctive mood.
Examples (4)
- L'accusé a nié les faits ; il n'empêche que ses empreintes ont été retrouvées sur l'arme.
The accused denied the facts; nevertheless, his fingerprints were found on the weapon.
Word by Word: The accused has denied the facts; it not prevents that his fingerprints have been found on the weapon.
This is a formal usage where the expression introduces a factual contradiction to the first clause.
- Il fait un froid de canard ; n'empêche que j'ai envie d'une glace.
It's freezing out; still, I want an ice cream.
Word by Word: It makes a cold of duck; prevents that I have desire of an ice cream.
In standard spoken French, the 'il' is often dropped. Note the use of the indicative 'ai' (present tense).
- — C'était une erreur de sa part. — N'empêche, il a réussi son coup !
— It was a mistake on his part. — Still, he pulled it off!
Word by Word: — It was a mistake of his part. — Prevents, he has succeeded his move!
In casual conversation, 'N'empêche' can stand alone as an adverb to mean 'even so' or 'still'.
- Il n'empêche que tu devrais faire attention.
The fact remains that you should be careful.
Word by Word: It not prevents that you should make attention.
Here, the expression is followed by the conditional 'devrais' to give advice based on a remaining fact.
Common Mistakes
Using the subjunctive mood after the expression.
Il n'empêche qu'il soit gentil.Il n'empêche qu'il est gentil.Learners often confuse this idiom with the verb 'empêcher que', which requires the subjunctive. Because 'il n'empêche que' asserts a fact, it requires the indicative.
Adding 'pas' when trying to use the idiomatic 'nevertheless' meaning.
Il n'empêche pas que c'est vrai.Il n'empêche que c'est vrai.While 'il n'empêche pas que' is grammatically possible, adding 'pas' makes it a literal statement ('it does not prevent...') rather than the fixed idiomatic transition 'nevertheless'.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand 'il n'empêche que', learners need to be familiar with the impersonal use of the pronoun 'il', the basic mechanics of negation in French, and how the conjunction 'que' is used to link a main clause to a subordinate statement.
- ne...pasBasic Negation with Ne...pas
The pattern uses the negative particle 'ne' (elided to n') to negate the verb 'empêcher'.
Level 1 - que (pronom relatif)Relative Pronoun Que (Object)
The pattern uses 'que' as a conjunction to introduce a subordinate clause, which is a fundamental structure for this expression.
Level 2
Related Patterns
- cependantHowever with Cependant
A formal synonym for 'however' or 'nevertheless' used to show opposition.
Level 4 - néanmoinsNevertheless with Neanmoins
Another formal synonym meaning 'nevertheless' that functions similarly to 'il n'empêche que'.
Level 4 - quand mêmeEven So with Quand Meme
The most common informal way to say 'anyway' or 'even so' in spoken French.
Level 4 - avoir beau + InfinitiveDespite Trying with Avoir Beau
Used to express 'despite doing something,' which often precedes a clause starting with 'il n'empêche que'.
Level 4 - quoi qu'il en soitBe That as It May with Quoi Qu'il En Soit
Meaning 'be that as it may,' it is used to move past a point and focus on a remaining truth.
Level 5
Words in This Pattern
Practice il n'empêche que in Bubblegum
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