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Coordinating conjunctions are the glue of the French language, allowing you to connect words, phrases, or independent clauses of equal importance. Master these to move beyond simple sentences and start speaking with fluid, natural logic. Practice this with PrepMyFrench exercises to perfect your flow!
The seven French coordinating conjunctions are: mais (but), ou (or), et (and), donc (so/therefore), or (now/yet — formal), ni (nor), and car (because/for). French students memorize them as 'Mais où est donc Ornicar?' These conjunctions connect grammatically equal elements — two nouns, two adjectives, or two independent clauses.
To remember the most common coordinating conjunctions, memorize this phrase: "Mais où est donc Ornicar ?" (But where is Ornicar?). It sounds like a strange question, but it contains mais, ou, et, donc, or, ni, car—the seven pillars of French coordination.
Used to express contrast
Used to present alternatives
Used to add information
Used to show a result
Used to introduce a new fact that changes the perspective
Used for double negatives
Used to explain the reason (similar to 'because')
In French, we typically place a comma before 'mais', 'car', and 'donc' when they connect two full clauses. However, don't use a comma before 'et' or 'ou' unless you are listing many items (e.g., a long list of adjectives). Check the PrepMyFrench writing guide for more punctuation secrets.
Don't confuse 'car' with 'parce que'. While both mean 'because', 'car' is more formal and is strictly a coordinating conjunction, meaning it usually follows a comma and explains the logic of the previous statement.
When using 'ni... ni...' to mean 'neither... nor...', you must remember to use the negative particle 'ne' before the verb. Example: Incorrect: Je bois ni thé ni café. Correct: Je ne bois ni thé ni café. This is a common mistake—avoid it by using the PrepMyFrench verb conjugator to ensure your negatives are placed correctly.
Je voudrais du thé et un croissant, s'il vous plaît.
I would like tea and a croissant, please.
Il fait froid, donc je mets un manteau.
It's cold, so I'm putting on a coat.
Tu préfères le cinéma ou le théâtre ?
Do you prefer cinema or theater?
Elle est fatiguée, mais elle continue à travailler.
She's tired, but she continues working.
Je ne bois ni café ni thé.
I drink neither coffee nor tea.
Il ne viendra pas, car il est malade.
He won't come, because he's sick.
Je veux du thé, et aussi du café.
Je veux du thé et du café.
In French, et joins elements without a comma before it (no Oxford comma equivalent). Listing 'A, B, et C' sounds unnatural. Simply write 'A, B et C' or 'A et B et C' for emphasis.
Je suis fatigué car j'ai mal dormi, donc je vais me coucher.
Je suis fatigué car j'ai mal dormi, donc je vais me coucher. (correct but avoid chaining) / OR: Comme j'ai mal dormi, je suis fatigué et je vais me coucher.
Chaining too many coordinating conjunctions in one sentence (X car Y donc Z) is grammatically possible but stylistically weak. Try restructuring or breaking into two sentences for clarity.
Je n'aime pas ni le café ni le thé.
Je n'aime ni le café ni le thé.
Ni replaces pas in negative constructions. Don't use both: 'Je n'aime pas ni...' is a double negation error. The structure is: ne + verb + ni + X + ni + Y.
🦉 Mais où est donc Ornicar?
French students memorize the 7 coordinating conjunctions as 'Mais où est donc Ornicar?' — Mais (but), Ou (or), Et (and), Donc (so), Or (now/yet), Ni (nor), Car (because). Picture Ornicar as a confused little owl (hibou) trying to find his way home — Mais où est donc Ornicar?
Coordinating conjunctions are tested at A2/B1 level in TEF/TCF. Examiners look for: (1) correct use of car (because) vs parce que — car introduces an explanation that's less direct, more like 'for/because the reason is,' (2) ni...ni placement in negative sentences, and (3) donc (so/therefore) vs alors (so/then) — donc expresses logical consequence, alors is more casual/narrative.
Planning a weekend trip:
On va à la montagne ou à la plage ce week-end ?
La montagne ! Car la plage sera bondée, et il va pleuvoir.
D'accord. Je prépare les sacs, donc tu t'occupes des billets ?
Ni sacs ni billets — j'ai tout réservé en ligne hier !
Master et, mais, ou, donc, or, ni, car with 20 interactive questions on PrepMyFrench. Build compound sentences with instant scoring and explanations.
Take PrepMyFrench's free CEFR placement test (A1-C1) to find your exact French level. Grammar assessment with personalized recommendations.