26 French Conjunctions: Deliver Your Greatest Sentences Collectively

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Are you getting assured in the way you converse French however nonetheless end up struggling to create extra complicated sentences? It’s potential that you just’re in want of some French conjunctions. These useful linking phrases may also help you join concepts, ideas, and situations as you speak to different French audio system.

From subordinating to correlating conjunctions, it’s important to know these useful phrases to raise your speech and assist your conversations flourish. A straightforward strategy to apply them is thru the Rosetta Stone App, the place you’ll be able to schedule a session with a tutor!

The fundamentals of conjunctions

Conjunctions are phrases that join two sentences, concepts, and phrases collectively. They’re a necessary a part of speech in French and any language. The commonest conjunctions are:

They will additionally make clear the connection between completely different components in a sentence primarily based on components like, distinction, parallel significance, goal, or causation. Examples of some conjunctions that you just may use for these conditions embrace:

• that
• nevertheless
• although
• since
• earlier than
• than
• as a result of

There are classes of conjunctions to be taught and so they every serve a goal in communication. The three varieties of conjunctions in French are:

• les conjonctions de coordination (coordinating conjunctions)
• les conjonctions de corrélation (correlative conjunctions)
• les conjonctions de subordination (subordinate conjunctions). 

Studying the way to use conjunctions in French will assist you to clarify your opinions extra clearly. This information will assist you understand the distinction between these useful linking phrases in French and the way to use them appropriately since their use can rely upon the completely different verb tenses in French.

French coordinating conjunctions

Coordinating conjunctions are most likely the best to translate and use since they’re essentially the most elementary phrases to construct complicated sentences. The French conjunction chart beneath identifies these phrases so you’ll be able to determine them within the examples beneath.

Et (and)

Et is used like “and” in English.

• Je veux faire une promenade et profiter de la nature. = I wish to take a stroll and take pleasure in nature.
• J’adore jouer au basket et au soccer. = I like enjoying basketball and soccer.

Automotive (for)

Automotive is the English equal of “for.” It communicates causality and signifies a logical conclusion of a set of circumstances. 

• Consideration aux voitures, automobile ils conduisent vite dans cette rue. = Take note of the vehicles, for they drive quick on this street.
• Ils n’ont acheté que les choses en promotion automobile, ils n’avaient pas beaucoup d’argent. = They solely purchased the issues that have been on sale for, they didn’t have some huge cash.

Donc (due to this fact)

Donc is the equal of “due to this fact” and is much like automobile.

• J’ai mal à l’estomac depuis trois jours et je ne sais pas pourquoi. Donc, jeudi je vais chez le médecin. = I’ve been sick to my abdomen for 3 days and I don’t know why. Subsequently, I’m going to the physician on Thursday.
• Il mange et dort bien, donc, il est sain. = He eats and sleeps nicely, due to this fact, he’s wholesome.

Mais (however)

Mais means “however” in English and is used to introduce distinction or opposition.

• J’ aime ce movie, mais je n’aime pas l’acteur qui y joue. = I like this film, however I don’t just like the actor who performs in it.
• Je veux y aller, mais je n’ai pas le temps. = I wish to go, however I’ve no time.

Ni (neither)

Ni capabilities in an identical strategy to the English “neither … .nor”, when talking of the negation of two or extra objects. On this approach, one also can contemplate it as a correlative conjunction. Discover the way it’s used along with ne. In any given sentence, you’ll be able to comply with this method: 

• ne + verb + ni + noun + ni + noun

Check out the way it’s used within the examples beneath. 

• Je ne mange ni des pommes de terres, ni des frites. = I eat neither potatoes nor fries.
• Je ne bois ni de lait ni de jus. = I drink neither milk nor juice.

Or (but)

Or is the equal of “but” within the sense of stating one thing that’s “nonetheless” the case regardless of opposite circumstances.  

• Il dit qu’il fait de l’exercice. Or, il n’arrive pas à ouvrir le pot de cornichons! = He says he workouts rather a lot, but he can’t open the pickle jar!
• Il est persuadé qu’il a raison, or l’évidence témoigne au contraire. = He’s satisfied that he’s proper, but the proof speaks on the contrary.

Ou (or)

Ou is sort of completely interchangeable with the English “or” and signifies a selection between two issues.

• Est-ce que tu veux aller à La tour Eiffel ou au Louvre? = Do you wish to go to the Eiffel Tower or the Louvre?  

Elle nous a dit qu’elle essayerait ou qu’elle demanderait de l’aide des autres personnes. = She informed us that she would strive or that she would ask others for assist.

French correlative conjunctions

Correlative conjunctions introduce parallel parts in a sentence, equivalent to “You may both go play, or you’ll be able to go examine.” Each “go play” and “go examine” are equal of their standing as phrases composed of “go + verb” and are each parallel of their position within the sentence of two distinct but choices available.  

The identical with a sentence equivalent to “You will need to select both a pink or a blue shirt.” “Pink” and “blue” are parallel of their perform as adjectives and as potentialities to select from. Let’s check out a few extra examples in French.

Ni…ni (neither…nor)

As we’ve got encountered earlier than, ni is at all times accompanied by ne + verb + ni + noun + ni + noun. The identical rule applies right here. It’s the very same conjunction, only one that may occupy each teams of coordinating and correlative conjunctions.  Be aware how typically the phrase doesn’t at all times have to begin off with ne + verb, however can go within the reverse order of  ni + noun + ni + noun + ne + verb. Seek the advice of each examples beneath.

• Je ne suis ni étudiant ni professeur. = I’m neither a pupil nor a instructor.
• Ni les parcs ni les musées ne sont ouverts. = Neither parks nor museums are open. 

Ou…ou (or…or)

This building is primarily utilized in spoken French and capabilities as a selection between two issues. It’s much like the English “or” besides that it’s used twice.

• Vous avez deux choix pour l’entrée, ou la salade ou le gazpacho. = You have got two selections of entrées, both the salad or the gazpacho.
• Les candidats doivent maîtriser ou l’arabe ou le farsi. = The candidates should grasp both Arabic or Farsi.

Soit…soit (both…or)

Soit is the subjunctive type of être (to be) and signifies uncertainty. Considering of it as “both…or” in English is correct more often than not. Be aware that soit is utilized in writing most frequently and is taken into account extra formal, whereas ou…ou is extra casual and primarily utilized in speech. 

• Il faut que tu choisisses soit la chemise rouge soit la chemise bleue. = You will need to decide both the pink shirt or the blue one.

Le restaurant est fermé. On peut soit acheter un sandwich, soit cuisiner chez soi. = The restaurant is closed. We are able to both purchase a sandwich or prepare dinner at house.

French subordinating conjunctions

Subordinate conjunctions are those who hyperlink two clauses collectively, considered one of which depends upon the opposite for purpose of circumstance, goal, or situation, amongst others. Have a look at the record of subordinate conjunctions in French to see how they’re usually used.

À situation que (on the situation that)

À situation que conveys one set of circumstances that rely upon one other, which interprets to “on the situation that” in English. Because it relies on a set of unsure circumstances, it’s used with the subjunctive temper and is at all times structured as à situation que + topic + verb (subjunctive).

• Elle viendra à situation que Marc vienne aussi. = She’ll come on the situation that Marc comes too.
• Je vous le dis à situation que vous le protégiez en tant que secret. = I’ll let you know on the situation that you just hold it a secret.

Afin que or Afin de (in order that)

Afin que is utilized in the identical approach as  “in order that” in English and can also be adopted by a topic and verb within the subjunctive temper. 

• On va partir tôt afin qu’on trouve de place. = We’re going to go away early in order that we are able to discover a place (to take a seat).
• Afin que vous compreniez bien le idea, je vais le réexpliquer. = In order that you perceive the idea nicely, I’m going to re-explain it.

Afin de is used when adopted by an infinitive in order to say “with a view to + [infinitive verb].”

• Il a travaillé dur afin de réaliser ce movie. = He labored arduous with a view to make this film.

Ainsi que (in addition to)

Ainsi que is known to imply “in addition to” or “simply as.” 

• Elle a cuisiné du steak ainsi que des frites. = She cooked some steak in addition to some fries.
• Ainsi que je l’avais prévu, il a oublié son sac à dos! = Simply as I predicted, he forgot his backpack!

Au cas où (in case)

Au cas où interprets on to the English phrase “in case” and is utilized in the identical approach, specifically, to specific a hypothetical or unsure state of affairs, additionally depending on circumstances. Be aware although that the subjunctive temper shouldn’t be used. It’s, nevertheless, adopted by a topic and verb, the latter of which is normally within the conditional or current tense.

• Prends ton billet au cas où le contrôleur le demande. = Deliver your ticket in case the inspector asks for it.
• J’ai apporté mon transportable au cas où je m’ennuierais. = I introduced my cellphone in case I get bored.

Comme (like, as, or since)

Maybe essentially the most primary of all of the conjunctions—and one which learners purchase throughout the first few days of a French class—comme is used a lot in the identical approach as “like” or “as” in English, although it typically means “since.” 

• J’aime les movies d’horreur, comme <The Conjuring> par exemple. = I like horror movies, like “The Conjuring” for instance.
• Comme il l’a dit à personne, on ne savait pas qu’il avait des problèmes! = Since he didn’t inform anybody, nobody knew he was having issues.

Dès que (as quickly as)

You’ll use dès que the best way you’d use “as quickly as” in English.

• Je partirai dès que le bus arrivera. = I’ll go away as quickly as the bus arrives.
• On avait acheté des billets dès qu’ils étaient disponibles. = We purchased tickets as quickly as they have been obtainable. 

Lorsque (when)

Lorsque capabilities like “when” in English within the sense that one thing is going on concurrently, instantly after, or earlier than one thing else.

• Dites-moi lorsque vous avez terminé votre examen. = Inform me when you’ve completed your examination.
• On se dispute lorsqu’il faudrait trouver une answer. = We’re preventing when we ought to be discovering an answer.

Malgré que (regardless of, though)

The 2 examples beneath will illustrate that malgré que could be translated to “regardless of” or “though.” However watch out! When used with a verb, the verb should be conjugated within the subjunctive temper. 

• Jean est sorti malgré la pluie. = Jean went out regardless of the rain.
• Malgré qu’il ait déjà bu de l’eau, il a encore soif. = Though he already drank some water, he’s nonetheless thirsty.

Parce que (as a result of)

“As a result of” is the English phrase for parce que, however it’s by no means used in the beginning of a sentence.

• Il l’a jeté dans la poubelle parce que c’était gâté. = He threw it within the trash as a result of it was spoiled.
• Il a reçu une bonne word parce que sa dissertation était superbe! = He acquired a very good grade as a result of his essay was very good!

Pendant que (whereas)

Pendant que capabilities in the identical approach as “whereas” in English, within the sense that two issues are taking place without delay.

• J’étudie pendant que tu conduis. = I’ll examine whereas you drive.
• Il cuisinait pendant qu’elle parlait aux invités. = He was cooking whereas she talked to the friends.

Puisque (since, as a result of, seeing as)

Puisque has varied methods of being translated, all of which come all the way down to the English equal of “since/as a result of/seeing as.” You may see the assorted makes use of in these examples.

• Puisque tu es rentré, le chien n’arrête pas de sauter! = Since you’ve returned, the canine hasn’t stopped leaping.
• Puisque personne ne s’intéresse au movie, on a décidé de faire un pique-nique au parc! = Since nobody was within the film, we determined to have a picnic within the park as an alternative.

Quand (when)

One other strategy to say “when” in English, quand displays the most typical sense of the phrase: the time or second wherein one thing occurs. This is similar “when” utilized in asking when one thing goes to occur or when one thing occurred. 

• Je te tiendrai au courant quand je saurai quelque selected. = I’ll inform you when I do know one thing.
• Quand est-ce qu’il va revenir? = When is he coming again?  

Que (that)

Que capabilities mostly because the conjunctive use of the English phrase “that.” In French, it’s additionally adopted by a noun and a verb.

• Il t’a dit plusieurs fois que c’est une mauvaise idée! = He informed you a lot occasions that it’s a foul concept!
• Arnaud! Où est le livre que tu lisais tout à l’heure? = Arnaud! The place is the e book that you have been studying earlier?

Quoique (though)

Often, quoique is known to imply “though,” however make certain to note the distinction between quoique and quoi que (two phrases). Quoi que means “no matter” however the conjunction quoique is what we’re discussing right here.

• Nous irons à la piscine, quoique nous préférons la plage. = We’ll go to the pool, though we desire the seaside.
• Quoique nous sommes en été, il ne fait pas chaud! = Though it’s summer season, it’s not scorching!

Si (if)

Si  interprets to “if” and is used virtually completely the identical approach. For primary “if…then” statements in French, conjugate the verb within the si clause within the current tense, and the verb that follows in both the current, future, or crucial tenses. Be aware that the clause with si in it doesn’t have to come back first.

• Si tu voyages en Chine, tu seras une personne plus mondiale. = If you journey to China, you’ll be a extra worldly particular person.
• Tu gagneras beaucoup d’argent si tu trouves un bon boulot. = You’ll earn some huge cash if you discover a good job.

Sinon (in any other case, if not)

The phrase sinon has varied translations and makes use of. Generally it means the identical as “in any other case” in English, and typically it interprets to its literal that means of “if not.”

• Reposes-toi bien, sinon tu seras malade. = Relaxation nicely, in any other case you’ll be sick.
• Si vous avez déjà reçu votre lettre, il ne faut rien faire. Sinon, il faut contacter l’administration dès que potential. = When you’ve already acquired your letter, you don’t must do something. In any other case (if not) you’ll must contact the administration as quickly as potential.

Conquer French conjunctions and extra

Study these 26 French conjunctions above and also you’ll make your dialog stream extra easily. You’ll have the ability to use them as you evaluate and distinction opinions, justify your actions, and point out the sequence of occasions. To actually increase your language abilities, be taught how Rosetta Stone works. It’s essentially the most immersive strategy to grasp a brand new language like French, Italian, Hindi, and even Irish!

Written by Micah McCauley

Micah McCauley is a present freelance contributor to Rosetta Stone with years of expertise educating French to non-native audio system. His profession spans the U.S., France, and China. He’s at the moment a pupil and affiliate teacher of French and Francophone Research. He enjoys composing music, touring, and studying Spanish in his free time.