A2 French GrammarCoordinating Conjunctions
Master French coordinating conjunctions to connect words, phrases, and clauses naturally. Learn et (and), mais (but), ou (or), donc (so/therefore), car (because), ni...ni (neither...nor), and or (now/yet). These small but essential words help you build more complex sentences and express relationships between ideas.
1Et, Ou, Mais (And, Or, But)
The three most common coordinating conjunctions are et (and), ou (or), and mais (but). Et connects similar items or ideas: pain et beurre. Ou presents alternatives: café ou thé? Mais introduces contrast or opposition: petit mais fort. These conjunctions join words, phrases, or complete sentences without changing word order.
Basic Coordinating Conjunctions
| French | English | Usage | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| et | and | addition | Marie et Paul |
| ou | or | alternative | oui ou non |
| mais | but | contrast | vieux mais beau |
| ou...ou | either...or | choice | ou toi ou moi |
Examples
J'aime le café et le thé.
I like coffee and tea.
et = and (connecting nouns)
Tu veux du pain ou des croissants?
Do you want bread or croissants?
ou = or (offering alternatives)
Il est fatigué mais il continue à travailler.
He is tired but he continues to work.
mais = but (contrast between clauses)
Elle parle français et anglais.
She speaks French and English.
et connecting two languages
2Donc and Car (So/Therefore and Because)
Donc introduces a consequence or conclusion: Il pleut, donc je reste à la maison. Car provides a reason or explanation: Je reste à la maison, car il pleut. Note that donc comes at the start of the consequence clause, while car introduces the cause. Car is more formal than parce que but follows similar logic.
Cause and Consequence
| Conjunction | Meaning | Function | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| donc | so, therefore | consequence | before result |
| car | because, for | cause/reason | before reason |
| alors | so, then | consequence | before result |
Examples
Je suis fatigué, donc je vais me coucher.
I am tired, so I'm going to bed.
donc = so (result follows)
Elle ne vient pas, car elle est malade.
She isn't coming, because she is sick.
car = because (reason follows)
Il fait froid, donc mets un manteau.
It's cold, so put on a coat.
donc introducing advice based on fact
Je l'aime bien, car il est gentil.
I like him, because he is kind.
car explaining the reason
3Ni...Ni (Neither...Nor)
Ni...ni means 'neither...nor' and negates two or more elements. It's used with ne before the verb: Je ne veux ni café ni thé. When ni...ni is the subject, the verb is usually plural: Ni Pierre ni Marie ne sont venus. This construction emphasizes the negative exclusion of both options.
Ni...Ni Structure
| Position | Structure | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Object | ne + verb + ni...ni | Je n'aime ni le froid ni la chaleur. | I like neither cold nor heat. |
| Subject | Ni...ni + ne + verb | Ni toi ni moi ne savons. | Neither you nor I know. |
| With de | ne + verb + ni de...ni de | Il n'a ni de frères ni de soeurs. | He has neither brothers nor sisters. |
Examples
Je ne bois ni alcool ni café.
I drink neither alcohol nor coffee.
ni...ni negating two objects
Ni Pierre ni Marie ne sont venus.
Neither Pierre nor Marie came.
ni...ni as subject (plural verb)
Ce n'est ni bon ni mauvais.
It's neither good nor bad.
ni...ni with adjectives
Elle ne veut ni partir ni rester.
She wants neither to leave nor to stay.
ni...ni with infinitives
4Or, Puis, Ensuite (Now/Yet, Then, Next)
Or is a formal conjunction meaning 'now' or 'yet' in logical arguments, often introducing a contrasting or important point. Puis and ensuite mean 'then/next' for sequencing actions: D'abord je mange, puis je travaille. These help structure narratives and arguments logically.
Sequencing and Emphasis
| Conjunction | Meaning | Usage | Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| or | now, yet, however | logical argument | formal |
| puis | then, next | sequence | neutral |
| ensuite | then, afterwards | sequence | neutral |
| d'abord...puis | first...then | sequence | neutral |
Examples
Il dit qu'il travaille. Or, personne ne le voit jamais au bureau.
He says he works. Yet, no one ever sees him at the office.
or = yet (formal contrast)
Je me lève, puis je prends une douche.
I get up, then I take a shower.
puis = then (sequence)
D'abord le travail, ensuite le plaisir.
First work, then pleasure.
ensuite = then/afterwards
Elle a mangé, puis elle est partie.
She ate, then she left.
puis connecting past actions