A2 French GrammarSubordinate Clauses (parce que, que, quand)
Learn to create complex sentences in French using subordinate clauses. Master parce que (because), que (that), quand (when), si (if), comme (as/since), and pendant que (while). Understand how these conjunctions introduce dependent clauses and how they differ from coordinating conjunctions in sentence structure.
1Parce que and Puisque (Because/Since)
Parce que means 'because' and introduces the reason for something: Je reste parce qu'il pleut (I'm staying because it's raining). Puisque also means 'since/because' but implies the reason is already known or obvious: Puisque tu es là, aide-moi. Note the contraction parce qu' before vowels.
Causal Conjunctions
| French | English | Usage | Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| parce que | because | general reason | neutral |
| puisque | since, as | known reason | neutral |
| comme | as, since | reason first | formal |
| car | because, for | explanation | formal |
Examples
Je suis en retard parce que j'ai raté le bus.
I'm late because I missed the bus.
parce que introducing reason
Puisque tu insistes, je vais accepter.
Since you insist, I'll accept.
puisque = since (known fact)
Comme il pleut, nous restons à la maison.
As it's raining, we're staying home.
comme at start of sentence
Elle est heureuse parce qu'elle a réussi.
She's happy because she succeeded.
parce qu' before vowel (contraction)
2Que (That) for Reported Speech
Que introduces noun clauses after verbs of thinking, saying, knowing, and believing: Je pense que tu as raison. Unlike English, que cannot be omitted in French: 'I think you're right' must be 'Je pense que tu as raison,' never 'Je pense tu as raison.' Que contracts to qu' before vowels.
Common Verbs with Que
| Verb | Meaning | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| penser que | to think that | Je pense que... | I think that... |
| dire que | to say that | Il dit que... | He says that... |
| savoir que | to know that | Elle sait que... | She knows that... |
| croire que | to believe that | Nous croyons que... | We believe that... |
Examples
Je sais que tu as raison.
I know that you're right.
que cannot be omitted in French
Elle dit qu'elle est fatiguée.
She says that she's tired.
qu' before vowel (elle)
Nous pensons que c'est une bonne idée.
We think that it's a good idea.
que after penser
Il croit qu'il peut réussir.
He believes that he can succeed.
croire que = to believe that
3Quand, Lorsque, Pendant que (When, While)
Quand and lorsque both mean 'when' for introducing time clauses. Quand is more common in everyday speech: Quand il arrive, nous mangeons. Lorsque is more formal. Pendant que means 'while' for simultaneous actions: Pendant que je cuisine, il lit. These conjunctions do not change word order.
Temporal Conjunctions
| French | English | Usage | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| quand | when | common | Quand je suis triste... |
| lorsque | when | formal | Lorsqu'il pleut... |
| pendant que | while | simultaneous | Pendant que tu dors... |
| avant que | before | + subjunctive | Avant qu'il parte... |
Examples
Quand je rentre, je mange.
When I come home, I eat.
quand for habitual action
Lorsqu'il fait beau, nous sortons.
When the weather is nice, we go out.
lorsque (formal) + contraction
Pendant que tu travailles, je fais le ménage.
While you work, I do the housework.
pendant que = while (simultaneous)
Appelle-moi quand tu arrives.
Call me when you arrive.
quand in a request
4Si (If) for Conditions
Si introduces conditional clauses: Si tu veux, on peut partir (If you want, we can leave). In present real conditions, use present tense after si. Si + il becomes s'il (contraction). Never use the future tense directly after si in the condition clause, only in the result clause.
Si Clauses Structure
| Condition (si) | Result | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Si + present | present/future | Si tu viens, je serai content. | If you come, I'll be happy. |
| Si + present | imperative | Si tu as faim, mange! | If you're hungry, eat! |
| S'il | contraction | S'il fait beau... | If the weather is nice... |
Examples
Si tu veux, nous pouvons partir maintenant.
If you want, we can leave now.
si + present for real condition
S'il pleut, je prends mon parapluie.
If it rains, I take my umbrella.
s'il = si + il (contraction)
Je t'appelle si j'ai le temps.
I'll call you if I have time.
si clause can come second
Si tu es fatigué, repose-toi.
If you're tired, rest.
si + imperative for advice