French Phrase
En fait, c'était le lancement d'un nouveau produit.
Meaning
The sentence means “In fact, it was the launch of a new product.” It is often used to correct a previous assumption or to emphasize that an event was a product launch.
When to use
Use this phrase when you need to clarify that an event you’re talking about was actually a product launch, especially after someone has guessed or assumed something else.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Enfait,c'étaitlelancementd'unnouveauproduit.
En fait
A discourse marker meaning “actually” or “in fact”, used to introduce a clarification or correction.
c'était
Imperfect of être with the neutral pronoun ce (c'), used for past descriptions or statements.
le lancement
Noun phrase; le is the definite article agreeing with lancement (masculine singular).
d'un
Contraction of de + un, introducing an indefinite noun phrase.
nouveau
Adjective meaning “new”, placed before the noun and agrees in gender and number (masc. sing.).
🗨In Conversation
Qu'est-ce qui s'est passé hier au salon?
What happened yesterday at the expo?
En fait, c'était le lancement d'un nouveau produit.
In fact, it was the launch of a new product.
✕Common Mistakes
En fait, c'est le lancement d'un nouveau produit.
Use c'était (imperfect) for past events; c'est refers to the present.
En fait, c'était le lancement d'une nouveau produit.
nouveau must agree with the masculine noun produit; also use le, not une.
En fait, c'était lancement d'un nouveau produit.
The article le is required before lancement.
↔Alternatives
En réalité, c'était le lancement d'un nouveau produit.
In reality, it was the launch of a new product.
En vérité, c'était le lancement d'un nouveau produit.
Truthfully, it was the launch of a new product.
C'était en fait le lancement d'un nouveau produit.
It was actually the launch of a new product.
Cultural Tip
“En fait” is common in both spoken and written French, but it can sound slightly corrective. Use it when you want to set the record straight, but avoid overusing it in casual conversation as it may come across as overly formal or pedantic.