In French, suite and conséquence are both nouns that can relate to outcomes or what follows, but they are used in different contexts and carry distinct meanings.
- Suite (la suite): Refers to a sequence, continuation, or what follows in a series. It is often used to describe events, actions, or things that come one after another. It can be translated as "following," "sequence," "continuation," or "result" (in the sense of what comes next).
- Conséquence (la conséquence): Refers to a direct consequence, outcome, or result of an action or event. It is used when emphasizing cause and effect. It is translated as "consequence" or "result."
| Word | Part of Speech | Basic Meaning | Context / Usage | English Equivalents |
|---|
| suite | noun (f) | continuation, sequence | What follows; a series; a continuation | following, result, sequence |
| conséquence | noun (f) | consequence, outcome | Direct result of cause and effect | consequence, result |
Detailed Comparison
| Aspect | suite | conséquence |
|---|
| Core Meaning | What comes next; continuation | Direct outcome or effect |
| Typical Context | Series, events, narrative, processes | Cause and effect, logical or natural result |
| Usage Note | Can refer to both neutral and positive flows | Almost always refers to something derived from a cause |
| Example Use | « La suite du film est passionnante. » | « La conséquence de son acte fut grave. » |
Examples
| French | English |
|---|
| suite | « Après le dîner, la suite de la soirée sera plus calme. » | "After dinner, the rest of the evening will be quieter." |
| conséquence | « Une conséquence de la pollution est le changement climatique. » | "A consequence of pollution is climate change." |
