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PSC Prep Canada

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PSC Prep Canada

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PSC Mini Lesson 10

Formal connectors

Formal connectors are important in PSC Written Expression, where they help organize ideas clearly and appropriately, and they can also support success in Reading Comprehension, where an incorrect answer may reflect misunderstanding of the logical link between ideas, such as cause, contrast, addition, or conclusion.

Why this matters on the PSC test

Formal connectors link ideas, introduce clarification, show consequence, or mark transition. On the PSC test, a connector may be confused with another familiar word, or a candidate may choose a form that sounds right but does not function correctly in formal written French.

Core rule

A formal connector must match both the meaning of the sentence and the administrative register. It must also be used in its accepted written form.

Clarification: soit la cible
Equivalent meaning: that is / namely
Formal transition: ainsi
Structured logic: therefore / moreover / however

In PSC items, the challenge is often not the idea itself, but recognizing that the connector is being used in a formal linking function rather than in its everyday meaning or as another part of speech.

soit la cible

ainsi permettre une meilleure coordination

par conséquent

toutefois

Common PSC traps

  • Same form, different function: a word may look like a verb or pronoun, but in context it functions as a connector. Example: soit meaning namely.
  • Register mismatch: a connector may be grammatically possible, but not appropriate for formal administrative writing.
  • Near-homophones or familiar distractors: PSC items may offer forms that resemble the correct connector but belong to a different word family.
  • Logical mismatch: the connector must fit the relationship between ideas: clarification, consequence, opposition, addition, or sequence.
  • Short underlined segments: because connectors are small, they are easy to overlook even though they control the logic of the sentence.

PSC-style examples

Les principaux instruments utilisés, soit la cible de maîtrise de l’inflation et le taux de change flottant.

Le gouvernement souhaite ainsi améliorer la prestation des services.

Le délai a été respecté; par conséquent, le dossier peut avancer.

La mesure semble utile; toutefois, une vérification demeure nécessaire.

Le comité a examiné plusieurs options, notamment celles qui concernent la sécurité.

Mini practice

1. Les principaux éléments, ___ la formation et l’évaluation continue.
a) soit
b) sois
2. Le programme a été simplifié; ___, il est plus facile à appliquer.
a) par conséquent
b) malgré
3. La proposition est intéressante; ___, certains risques demeurent.
a) toutefois
b) notamment
Answers:
1. a) soit
2. a) par conséquent
3. a) toutefois
Quick takeaway: Do not look at the connector alone. Check the logical relationship it creates between the ideas in the sentence.