Subordinating conjunctions (les conjonctions de subordination) link a dependent clause (subordonnée) to a main clause (principale), showing how the ideas are related. They can express...
- Time (quand, lorsque)
- Cause (parce que, puisque)
- Condition (si, à condition que)
- Purpose (pour que, afin que)
- Concession (bien que, même si)
Example:
Je partirai lorsque tu seras prêt.
(I will leave when you are ready.)
Subordinating conjunctions connect a dependent clause to a main clause, indicating how the ideas relate (time, cause, condition, etc.).
Common subordinating conjunctions include parce que, lorsque, si, bien que, and pour que.
Common Subordinating Conjunctions
| Conjunction | Type | Meaning | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| parce que | Cause | Because | Je reste ici parce que je suis fatigué. | I stay here because I'm tired. |
| puisque | Cause | Since, Because | Puisque tu es là, aide-moi. | Since you're here, help me. |
| quand | Time | When | Je partirai quand il arrivera. | I will leave when he arrives. |
| lorsque | Time | When (formal) | Lorsque je suis prêt, je commence. | When I'm ready, I start. |
| si | Condition | If | Si tu viens, je serai heureux. | If you come, I'll be happy. |
| à condition que | Condition | Provided that | Tu peux sortir à condition que tu finisses tes devoirs. | You can go out provided that you finish your homework. |
| pour que | Purpose | So that | Je parle lentement pour que tu comprennes. | I speak slowly so that you understand. |
| afin que | Purpose | So that | Il travaille dur afin que ses enfants aient une bonne vie. | He works hard so that his children have a good life. |
| bien que | Concession | Although | Bien que fatigué, il a continué. | Although tired, he continued. |
| même si | Concession | Even if | Même si tu as raison, ce n'est pas possible. | Even if you're right, it's not possible. |
'parce que' and 'puisque' are used for cause.
'bien que' and 'même si' express concession.
Usage and Examples
- Cause:
Il étudie parce que il a un examen.
(He studies because he has an exam.)
- Time:
Nous sortirons quand il arrêtera de pleuvoir.
(We will go out when it stops raining.)
- Condition:
Si tu as faim, mange quelque chose.
(If you are hungry, eat something.)
- Purpose:
Je t’explique pour que tu comprennes.
(I’m explaining so that you understand.)
- Concession:
Bien que ce soit difficile, il ne abandonne pas.
(Although it’s difficult, he doesn’t give up.)
They cover cause, time, condition, purpose, and concession.
Subjunctive After Certain Conjunctions
Some subordinating conjunctions require the subjunctive mood in the dependent clause:
- bien que (although)
- pour que (so that)
- à condition que (provided that)
Example:
Bien qu’il soit tard, je travaille encore.
(Although it is late, I’m still working.)
Subjunctive is used after 'bien que', 'pour que', and 'à condition que'.
Exercises
- Match the conjunction to its meaning: parce que, si, bien que, quand.
- Write a sentence using "pour que" with a purpose you do every day.
- Identify the conjunction type: "Je viendrai si tu m'attends."
- Convert this sentence using a subordinating conjunction: "We eat. The movie starts." (Use "when")
'quand' and 'lorsque' are used for time.
Use subjunctive after 'bien que', 'pour que', and 'à condition que'.
'Si' means 'if,' and introduces a condition.
Conclusion
French subordinating conjunctions are essential for linking ideas and showing precise relationships between clauses.
- They express time, cause, condition, purpose, and concession.
- Some require the subjunctive mood for the dependent clause.
- Mastery of these conjunctions allows for more complex and nuanced sentence construction in French.