PrepMyFrench
PrepMyFrench
Connect your thoughts like a native! Conjunctions are the glue of the French language, allowing you to build complex sentences and express nuanced relationships between ideas. Improve your flow with PrepMyFrench.
In French, conjunctions are words used to link words, phrases, or clauses together. They are essential for moving beyond simple sentences to a more professional, fluid level of speaking and writing.
Le chat et le chien (The cat and the dog)
Je mange parce que j'ai faim (I am eating because I am hungry)
Stop using 'et' and 'mais' for everything. Use varied connectors to sound more sophisticated. Practice this with PrepMyFrench exercises.
Some conjunctions trigger the Subjunctive mood. Knowing which is which is the mark of an advanced learner.
Use conjunctions to guide your listener through your argument, essential for exams like DELF or TEF.
Learn where to place conjunctions for the most natural cadence. Use the PrepMyFrench verb conjugator to ensure your tenses match your connectors.
J'aime le thé et le café.
I like tea and coffee. (coordinating — et)
Il est fatigué, mais il continue.
He's tired, but he continues. (coordinating — mais)
Je reste parce que je t'attends.
I'm staying because I'm waiting for you. (subordinating — cause)
Bien qu'il pleuve, je sors.
Although it's raining, I'm going out. (subordinating + subjunctive)
Je travaille pour que tu réussisses.
I work so that you succeed. (subordinating — purpose + subjunctive)
Je ne bois ni café ni thé.
I drink neither coffee nor tea. (coordinating — ni...ni)
Bien que il est fatigué, il travaille.
Bien qu'il soit fatigué, il travaille.
Bien que triggers the SUBJUNCTIVE. After concessive conjunctions (bien que, quoique), always use subjunctive. The verb form changes: 'il est' → 'il soit.'
Je pense que tu as raison, mais que tu te trompes.
Je pense que tu as raison, mais tu te trompes.
Avoid contradictory clauses combined with 'mais que.' If clauses A and B contradict, use 'mais' directly without repeating que. 'Mais que' implies continuation, not contradiction.
Après que je sois parti...
Après que je suis parti...
Après que takes INDICATIVE (not subjunctive) according to the Académie Française. Though many French speakers use subjunctive, formal writing and TEF/TCF expect indicative after après que.
🦉 Mais où est donc Ornicar?
Coordinating conjunctions (et, mais, ou, donc, or, ni, car) are the 'equals sign' — they connect EQUAL elements. Subordinating conjunctions (que, quand, si, parce que, bien que) are the 'arrow' — one clause DEPENDS on the other. Remember 'Mais où est donc Ornicar?' for the 7 coordinators. For subordinators: if it triggers subjunctive, it wears a cape (bien que, pour que, avant que, jusqu'à ce que) — they're the superhero conjunctions!
Conjunctions differentiate A2 from B1 learners in TEF/TCF. A2: basic coordinating conjunctions (et, mais, ou). B1: subordinating conjunctions (parce que, quand, si) and que repetition (et que, mais que). B2: subjunctive-triggering conjunctions (bien que, pour que, avant que, jusqu'à ce que) used in your own writing. The B2 Expression Écrite typically requires at least one subjunctive-triggering conjunction.
Explaining why you're late:
Pourquoi êtes-vous en retard ce matin ?
Parce que ma voiture est tombée en panne et que le bus était complet.
Bien que je comprenne, essayez de prévenir la prochaine fois.
Je vous appelle dès que ça arrive, pour que vous soyez prévenu.
Practice French coordinating and subordinating conjunctions with 25 interactive questions on PrepMyFrench. Subjunctive triggers and sentence building with instant scoring.
Write a text using French conjunctions to build complex sentences. Get instant AI feedback from PrepMyFrench, scored to TEF/TCF writing criteria.