DĂ©couvrez les conjonctions simples en français: leur rĂŽle pour relier des idĂ©es, des phrases et des propositions. Exemples courants avec et, ou, mais, donc, or, car, et conseils dâusage et de ponctuation.
Discover simple French conjunctions: their role in linking ideas, sentences, and clauses. Common examples with and, or, but, therefore, yet, for, and tips on usage and punctuation.
Simple conjunctions link words, phrases, or ideas in straightforward ways, so they are essential for building clear sentences. This guide covers the most common ones with easy examples.
and
Use et to join two similar ideas or items. It is the basic connector for adding information.
| French Word(s) | English Word(s) | |
|---|---|---|
| et | and | |
| ainsi que | as well as | |
| de plus | moreover |
Examples
- Bien que ce soit difficile, je continuerai.
- Quoique fatigué, il travaille encore.
Utilisez et pour joindre deux idĂ©es ou Ă©lĂ©ments similaires. Câest le connecteur de base pour ajouter des informations.
I like apples and oranges.
but
Use mais to show contrast or an unexpected difference between ideas. It signals that the second idea qualifies or opposes the first.
| French Word(s) | English Word(s) | |
|---|---|---|
| mais | but | |
| cependant | however | |
| pourtant | yet |
Examples
- Bien que ce soit difficile, je continuerai.
- Quoique fatigué, il travaille encore.
Utilisez mais pour montrer un contraste ou une diffĂ©rence inattendue entre des idĂ©es. Il indique que la deuxiĂšme idĂ©e qualifie ou sâoppose Ă la premiĂšre.
He wants to come, but he is sick.
or
Use ou to present alternatives or choices. It links two possibilities, and the listener expects one or the other.
| French Word(s) | English Word(s) | |
|---|---|---|
| ou | or | |
| soit... soit... | either... or... | |
| ou bien | or else |
Examples
- Bien que ce soit difficile, je continuerai.
- Quoique fatigué, il travaille encore.
Utilisez ou pour prĂ©senter des alternatives ou des choix. Il relie deux possibilitĂ©s et lâauditeur sâattend Ă lâune ou lâautre.
Do you want tea or coffee?
so
Use donc to show a consequence or result. It connects an effect to its cause and often appears in logical or persuasive speech.
| French Word(s) | English Word(s) | |
|---|---|---|
| donc | so / therefore | |
| alors | so / then | |
| câest pourquoi | thatâs why |
Examples
- Bien que ce soit difficile, je continuerai.
- Quoique fatigué, il travaille encore.
Utilisez donc pour montrer une conséquence ou un résultat. Il relie un effet à sa cause et apparaßt souvent dans un discours logique ou persuasif.
It's raining, so we will stay home.
because
Use parce que to give a reason or explanation. It introduces the cause of an action or situation.
| French Word(s) | English Word(s) | |
|---|---|---|
| parce que | because | |
| puisque | since | |
| car | for / because |
Examples
- Bien que ce soit difficile, je continuerai.
- Quoique fatigué, il travaille encore.
Utilisez parce que pour donner une raison ou une explication. Il introduit la cause dâune action ou dâune situation.
Iâm staying here because you need help.
although
Use bien que or quoique to introduce a concession. These turn-contre-tout connectors show that one fact does not prevent another.
| French Word(s) | English Word(s) | |
|---|---|---|
| bien que | although | |
| quoique | although | |
| mĂȘme si | even if |
Examples
- Bien que ce soit difficile, je continuerai.
- Quoique fatigué, il travaille encore.
Utilisez bien que ou quoique pour introduire une concession. Ces connecteurs montrent quâun fait ne bloque pas un autre.
Although itâs cold, weâre going out.
summary
Simple conjunctions like et, mais, ou, donc, and parce que are the building blocks of clear expression. Learn them with short sentences so you can connect ideas naturally.
Les conjonctions simples comme et, mais, ou, donc, et parce que sont les Ă©lĂ©ments de base dâune expression claire. Apprenez-les avec des phrases courtes pour pouvoir relier les idĂ©es de maniĂšre naturelle.
Suggested Reading

Practice Makes Perfect: French Conversation by Jean Yates

Assimil French Method by Assimil (publisher)

Grammaire en dialogues â Niveau grand dĂ©butant by Claire Miquel (and others)

Easy French Step-by-Step by Myrna Bell Rochester

French All-In-One For Dummies by Susana Wald & Cecie Kraynak

Practice Makes Perfect: Complete French All-in-One by Annie Hemingway

Collins Easy Learning French: Complete Grammar, Verbs & Vocabulary by Collins Dictionaries

Practice Makes Perfect: Complete French Grammar by Annie Hemingway

French Grammar Drills by Elaine Kurbegov
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