Subordinating conjunctions are words that introduce a subordinate clause and connect it to a main clause, showing a relationship such as cause, time, condition, or purpose in French.
Introduction
Subordinating conjunctions (conjonctions de subordination) are used to link a subordinate clause to a main clause. They provide additional information about time, cause, condition, purpose, or contrast. The subordinate clause cannot stand alone and depends on the main clause.
Common Subordinating Conjunctions
Below are some of the most common French subordinating conjunctions, along with their English meanings and example sentences in both French and English.
French Conjunction | English Meaning | French Example | English Example |
---|---|---|---|
que | that | Je crois que tu as raison. | I believe that you are right. |
parce que | because | Je reste à la maison parce que je suis fatigué. | I am staying home because I am tired. |
quand | when | Je partirai quand tu seras prêt. | I will leave when you are ready. |
lorsque | when | Lorsque je suis arrivé, il dormait. | When I arrived, he was sleeping. |
si | if | Si tu viens, nous sortirons ensemble. | If you come, we will go out together. |
bien que | although | Bien que ce soit difficile, je vais essayer. | Although it is difficult, I will try. |
pour que | so that | Je parle lentement pour que tu comprennes. | I speak slowly so that you understand. |
avant que | before | Finis tes devoirs avant que tu joues. | Finish your homework before you play. |
après que | after | Nous sortirons après que tu auras terminé. | We will go out after you have finished. |
comme | as, since | Comme il pleuvait, nous sommes restés dedans. | Since it was raining, we stayed inside. |
Usage Notes
- Subordinate clauses introduced by these conjunctions can appear before or after the main clause.
- The conjunction que is often used to introduce noun clauses after verbs of thinking, saying, or believing.
- Time conjunctions like quand, lorsque, avant que, and après que relate actions in time and require attention to verb tenses.
- Si introduces conditional clauses.
- Bien que introduces a concession and is always followed by the subjunctive.
- Purpose clauses introduced by pour que also require the subjunctive.
- avant que and pour que always take the subjunctive mood in the subordinate clause.
- après que is followed by the indicative, not the subjunctive.
- comme when used as a conjunction means “since” or “as” and introduces a cause, usually appearing at the beginning of the sentence.
Is the subjunctive used after après que in French?
No, après que is followed by the indicative mood.
Despite some confusion, the correct standard usage is that après que is followed by the indicative mood because it refers to an action viewed as completed or certain. The subjunctive is not used after après que.
Examples in Context
Here are examples of subordinate clauses using some of these conjunctions, showing their function in context.
Conjunction | Context | Example | Translation |
---|---|---|---|
parce que | Cause | Je n’y suis pas allé parce que j’étais malade. | I didn't go there because I was sick. |
quand | Time | Appelle-moi quand tu arrives. | Call me when you arrive. |
si | Condition | Si tu étudies, tu réussiras. | If you study, you will succeed. |
bien que | Concession | Bien que je sois fatigué, je travaille. | Although I am tired, I am working. |
pour que | Purpose | Parle plus fort pour que tout le monde entende. | Speak louder so that everyone can hear. |
avant que | Time | Finis avant six heures avant que je revienne. | Finish before six o’clock before I come back. |
Je n’y suis pas allé parce que j’étais malade.
I didn't go there because I was sick.
The correct conjunction is 'parce que' meaning 'because,' explaining the reason for not going. The other options misinterpret the conjunction or the meaning.
Summary
Subordinating conjunctions in French:
- Introduce subordinate clauses that depend on a main clause.
- Express relationships of cause, time, condition, purpose, or contrast.
- Include common words like que, parce que, quand, si, bien que, pour que, etc.
- Sometimes require the subjunctive mood (bien que, pour que, avant que).
- Can appear at the beginning or middle of sentences, changing word order accordingly.
Learning these conjunctions helps you build more complex and precise sentences in French.
Flashcards (1 of 10)
- English Meaning: that
- English Example: I believe that you are right.
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025