Conjunctions

What Are Conjunctions?

Definition:

Conjunctions are words that link clauses, sentences, or words together to create more complex and fluid sentences. In French, as in English, conjunctions are essential for connecting ideas and expressing relationships between them, such as cause and effect, contrast, or addition.

Types of Conjunctions

There are several types of conjunctions in French, each serving a specific purpose:

• Coordinating Conjunctions (Conjonctions de coordination): Connect words, phrases, or clauses that are of equal importance.
• Subordinating Conjunctions (Conjonctions de subordination): Introduce a subordinate clause that depends on the main clause.
• Correlative Conjunctions (Conjonctions corrélatives): Work in pairs to relate one part of the sentence to another.

Table of Common French Conjunctions

Type	Conjunction	Usage	Example Sentence	Translation
Coordinating Conjunctions	et	Adds information (and)	Je mange une pomme et une banane.	I am eating an apple and a banana.
	mais	Shows contrast (but)	Il est intelligent, mais paresseux.	He is intelligent, but lazy.
	ou	Offers a choice (or)	Tu veux du thé ou du café?	Do you want tea or coffee?
	donc	Shows consequence (so)	Il pleut, donc je prends mon parapluie.	It's raining, so I'm taking my umbrella.
	car	Explains a reason (for, because)	Il est parti, car il était en retard.	He left, because he was late.
Subordinating Conjunctions	parce que	Gives a reason (because)	Je reste à la maison parce que je suis malade.	I'm staying home because I'm sick.
	quand	Refers to time (when)	Je t'appellerai quand j'arriverai.	I'll call you when I arrive.
	si	Expresses a condition (if)	Si tu veux, on peut partir maintenant.	If you want, we can leave now.
	puisque	Indicates an obvious reason (since)	Puisque tu es là, aide-moi.	Since you're here, help me.
	bien que	Expresses contrast (although, even though)	Bien que fatigué, il a continué à travailler.	Although tired, he continued to work.
Correlative Conjunctions	ni... ni	Connects two negatives (neither... nor)	Je n'aime ni le chocolat ni les bonbons.	I like neither chocolate nor sweets.
	soit... soit	Presents alternatives (either... or)	Soit tu viens, soit tu restes.	Either you come, or you stay.
	non seulement... mais aussi	Adds emphasis (not only... but also)	Non seulement il est intelligent, mais aussi courageux.	Not only is he intelligent, but also brave.

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Examples of Conjunctions in Sentences

Coordinating Conjunctions:

French: J'ai fini mes devoirs et je vais regarder la télé.

• Translation: I finished my homework and I'm going to watch TV.

French: Il veut sortir, mais il pleut.

• Translation: He wants to go out, but it's raining.

Subordinating Conjunctions:

French: Nous irons à la plage si le temps est beau.

• Translation: We will go to the beach if the weather is nice.

French: Quand j'étais jeune, je jouais au football tous les jours.

• Translation: When I was young, I played football every day.

Correlative Conjunctions:

French: Ni le professeur ni les élèves n'ont compris l'exercice.

• Translation: Neither the teacher nor the students understood the exercise.

French: Non seulement elle parle français, mais aussi elle l'enseigne.

• Translation: Not only does she speak French, but also she teaches it.

Exam Tips for Conjunctions

• Understand Conjunction Functions: Know the role each type of conjunction plays in a sentence (e.g., addition, contrast, condition) so you can use them effectively in your writing and speaking.
• Practice Complex Sentences: Incorporate a variety of conjunctions to create complex sentences. This not only shows a higher level of language proficiency but also makes your writing more engaging.
• Vary Your Conjunctions: Avoid overusing the same conjunctions (like "et" or "mais"). Using a range of conjunctions will demonstrate a wider vocabulary and more sophisticated language skills.
• Pay Attention to Word Order: Some conjunctions, especially subordinating ones like "si" or "quand," may require different word order in French compared to English. Practice sentence structures to avoid common errors.
• Review Correlative Conjunctions: Pairs like "soit... soit" or "ni... ni" are powerful tools in writing. Make sure you understand how to correctly use both parts of these pairs to express alternatives or negatives.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Incorrect Word Order: When using subordinating conjunctions, remember that the verb often comes at the end of the clause in French. For example, "Je partirai quand il arrivera" (I will leave when he arrives).
• Overusing "et": It's easy to over-rely on "et" to link ideas. Try using other conjunctions like "ainsi que" (as well as) or "en plus" (in addition) to vary your sentences.
• Misusing "si": Be careful with "si" (if) vs. "oui" (yes). They may sound similar but are used in very different contexts.
• Neglecting Correlative Conjunctions: Don't forget to use both parts of correlative conjunctions. Saying "soit... soit" or "ni... ni" incorrectly can confuse your meaning.