Ça n'a donc pas été une surprise

i. l.C1Kwiziq community member

Ça n'a donc pas été une surprise

I am surprised by the position of 'donc'.  

As an adverb I would have expected it between pas and été. 

As a conjunction I would have expected it after été, or at the beginning of the phrase

Asked 6 days ago
CécileNative French expert teacher in KwiziqCorrect answer

Hi i.l.

Interesting question!

The coordination conjunction that is 'donc' ( therefore, so, thus) can also be a conjunctive adverb and be placed in different places in a sentence depending on the emphasis you want to create.  

In that particular sentence it could have been at the beginning -

Donc, ça n'a pas été une surprise = Therefore, it was no surprise 

or even after the verb -

Ça n'a pas été donc une surprise = It was therefore no surprise

 or as it is in the text -

Ça n'a donc pas été une surprise It, therefore, was no surprise 

In practice, native French speakers use 'donc' fluidly, and its exact grammatical function (adverb or conjunction) may not always be distinguishable. Understanding its overall meaning and function in conveying a logical consequence or conclusion is important.

I hope this helps!

Alan G.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

I don't think there's a lesson on Kwiziq covering adverb placement in situations like this, but you can find an explanation here:

https://biendire.com/fr/content/51-la-place-de-l-adverbe-dans-la-phrase

The relevant rule seems to be:

Les adverbes courts, d'intensité ou de fréquence se placent après la négation :

Jacques n'a pas bien répondu à la question.

Tu n'es pas souvent venu en cours cette semaine.

Mais les adverbes qui indiquent le doute ou la probabilité (certainement, généralement, peut-être, probablement, sans doute, etc.) se placent après l'auxiliaire :

Elle n'a probablement pas pu arriver à l'heure.

i. l. asked:View original

Ça n'a donc pas été une surprise

I am surprised by the position of 'donc'.  

As an adverb I would have expected it between pas and été. 

As a conjunction I would have expected it after été, or at the beginning of the phrase

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