Coordinating Conjunctions

The most common coordinating conjunctions in French each serve a slightly different function, so choosing the right one depends on the precise relationship you want to express between the connected elements.

Coordinating conjunctions typically connect elements of the same grammatical type: two nouns, two adjectives, two verbs, two clauses, or two sentences. In French, a comma usually appears before conjunctions like mais, donc, and car when they link larger clauses, but not before et or ou when they link simple elements.

Et is the basic conjunction for adding one element to another. It joins similar grammatical units and ideas that are simply accumulated.

Ou presents alternatives or choices between elements. It can link nouns, phrases, or clauses that offer different options.

Mais introduces a contrast or exception. It connects two ideas that oppose or qualify each other.

Donc signals a consequence or result. It shows that the second idea follows logically from the first.

Ni is used to link two or more negative alternatives. It appears in constructions where two elements are both denied or excluded.

Car gives a reason or explanation. It connects an assertion to its cause and is more formal than parce que.

Coordinating conjunctions join equal parts of a sentence and signal relationships like addition, choice, contrast, consequence, and reason. Learning the small nuances of each conjunction helps you link ideas clearly and naturally in French.