French expression: à la fois

Comments

October 26, 2012 at 12:15 pm

(1) Janet says:

Would you mind explaining why “même” “cannot” be included? (Sorry — something of a novice; I’m sure it’s obvious why not to a more advanced Francophone.)

October 26, 2012 at 2:20 pm

(2) LKL - French Guide says:

Janet – it’s an idiomatic expression, it means what it means “as is” and can’t be modified.

October 26, 2012 at 5:18 pm

(3) Bebba says:

When would you use, “a la fois” and when “en meme temps”, which you also list as meaning “at the same time”?

October 26, 2012 at 5:58 pm

(4) Serge says:

Bebba – à la fois means in one shot, at once, in a single occurrence while en même temps rather means simultaneously, so it depends on what you want to emphasize.

October 28, 2012 at 7:43 pm

(5) Neruda01 says:

Est-ce qu’on peut dire, “on ne peut pas être socialiste et umpiste à la fois” ?

October 29, 2012 at 5:23 am

(6) Henri says:

“On ne peut servir deux maîtres à la fois ”
(Mathieu 6.24)
So as,your phrase is correct.

December 22, 2012 at 6:57 am

(7) Cilla says:

I’ve been including meme for years, so thanks for the correction.

May 23, 2013 at 10:13 pm

(8) Matthieu says:

I know those post are old but let me correct your syntax. You should say : “on ne peut pas être à la fois socialiste et umpiste.”

May 23, 2013 at 10:29 pm

(9) Matthieu says:

Let me clarify what I just said. Henri sentence is correct. But if you use the expression with the word “et” you should place it before your enumeration not after.

EX: 1- “Je ne peux pas écouter deux films à la fois”
2- “Je ne peux pas à la fois écouter Titanic et ne pas pleurer”