Learn French Phrases (Conjunctions 4)

In French, conjunctions are used to connect words, phrases, or clauses. They are essential for forming complex sentences and expressing relationships between different parts of a sentence. Here are some commonly used conjunctions in French:

1. Et (And) : Connects two elements of equal importance. Example: Il aime le football et le tennis. (He likes football and tennis.)
2. Ou (Or) : Presents a choice between two alternatives. Example: Veux-tu du café ou du thé ? (Do you want coffee or tea?)
3. Mais (But): Expresses a contrast or opposition between two ideas. Example: Il est fatigué, mais il veut continuer. (He is tired, but he wants to continue.)
4. Donc (So): Indicates a consequence or inference. Example: Il pleut, donc nous devons prendre un parapluie. (It’s raining, so we have to take an umbrella.)
5. Car (Because): Explains the reason or cause behind an action. Example: Je suis en retard, car j’ai raté mon bus. (I am late because I missed my bus.)
6. Parce que (Because): Introduces a cause-effect relationship. Example: Je suis heureux parce que j’ai réussi mon examen. (I am happy because I passed my exam.)
7. Si (If): Indicates a conditional statement. Example: Si tu viens, nous irons au cinéma. (If you come, we will go to the cinema.)
8. Quand (When): Specifies a time or condition. Example: Je vais à la plage quand il fait beau. (I go to the beach when the weather is nice.)
9. Comme (As): Compares or introduces a reason. Example: Je danse comme un professionnel. (I dance like a professional.)
10. Par contre (On the other hand): Presents a contrasting point of view. Example: J’aime le chocolat. Par contre, je n’aime pas les bonbons. (I like chocolate. On the other hand, I don’t like candies.)

Remember that conjunctions can also be used to join clauses within a sentence. In such cases, they often introduce dependent clauses:

Example: Je vais au cinéma parce que j’adore les films. (I am going to the cinema because I love movies.)

It’s important to note that the choice of conjunction depends on the context and the relationship you want to convey. Practice using different conjunctions in various sentences to become familiar with their usage.

Now you’re ready to use conjunctions in French to express connections and convey more complex ideas in your sentences!