Coordinating conjunctions in French are small words that link together words, phrases, or clauses of equal importance within a sentence. They help create compound sentences and show relationships like addition, choice, contrast, or cause. The main coordinating conjunctions in French are et (and), mais (but), ou (or), donc (so), car (for/because), and ni (neither/nor).
Role in Grammar
Coordinating conjunctions connect two or more elements of the same grammatical type: two nouns, two verbs, two adjectives, two phrases, or two independent clauses. Unlike subordinating conjunctions, they do not create a hierarchy between the parts—they simply put them side by side.
List of FR + EN
| French Conjunction | English Meaning | Usage Example (FR) | Usage Example (EN) | Tip |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| et | and | J’aime le café et le thé. | I like coffee and tea. | Use to add similar ideas. |
| mais | but | Il veut sortir, mais il pleut. | He wants to go out, but it’s raining. | Use to show contrast. |
| ou | or | Veux-tu du pain ou des biscuits ? | Do you want bread or cookies? | Use to present choices. |
| donc | so/therefore | Il est fatigué, donc il dort. | He is tired, so he sleeps. | Use to show cause and effect. |
| car | for/because | Je pars tôt, car j’ai rendez-vous. | I’m leaving early, for I have an appointment. | More formal than “parce que.” |
| ni | neither/nor | Il ne boit ni café ni thé. | He drinks neither coffee nor tea. | Use with negation (ne … ni … ni). |
Usage Rules
- et, mais, ou simply join the elements and can connect words, phrases, or entire clauses.
- donc and car usually link complete clauses and cannot appear at the beginning of an isolated clause without context.
- ni always appears in a negative construction with ne, and it negates multiple elements.
- ou can be inclusive (one or the other or both) or exclusive (one or the other) depending on context.
- No comma is needed before et or ou in simple lists, but a comma often precedes mais, donc, and car when they join clauses.
When is a comma typically used before coordinating conjunctions in French?
Before **mais**, **donc**, and **car** when they join clauses.
Use commas before **mais**, **donc**, and **car** in compound sentences for clarity.
Examples
Simple Addition
- French: Je mange une pomme et* une banane.
- English: I’m eating an apple and a banana.
Je mange une pomme et une banane.
I’m eating an apple and a banana.
**et** connects two nouns in a simple additive sentence.
Contrast Between Clauses
- French: Il voulait venir, mais* il était malade.
- English: He wanted to come, but he was sick.
Il voulait venir, mais il était malade.
He wanted to come, but he was sick.
**mais** introduces a contrast between the two clauses.
Choice
- French: Tu prends du thé ou* du café ?
- English: Are you having tea or coffee?
Cause and Effect
- French: Elle étudie beaucoup, donc* elle réussit.
- English: She studies a lot, so she succeeds.
Reason (Formal)
- French: Je reste à la maison, car* il neige.
- English: I’m staying home, for it’s snowing.
Neither … Nor …
- French: Je ne vois ni le chat ni* le chien.
- English: I see neither the cat nor the dog.
Summary
Coordinating conjunctions are simple but powerful tools in French grammar. They keep your sentences balanced and help you express complex ideas clearly. Just remember to match the conjunction to the relationship you want to show: plus (et), but (mais), or (ou), so (donc), because (car), or neither/nor (ni).
Flashcards (1 of 6)
- Usage Example (FR): J’aime le café et le thé.
- Usage Example (EN): I like coffee and tea.
- Tip: Use to add similar ideas.
- English Meaning: and
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
