Basic Conjunctions (and, but, or, so/therefore, because) - French Grammar

Basic Conjunctions in French: et, mais, ou, donc, parce que

What is a conjunction? When do I use conjunctions in French?

Short answer A conjunction is a little word that links words, phrases, or clauses. In English you have and, but, or, so, because. In French the basic equivalents are et, mais, ou, donc, parce que. These words tell how parts of a sentence relate: addition (and), contrast (but), choice (or), result (so/therefore), or reason (because).

Two important groups
- Coordinating conjunctions (connect equal elements): et, mais, ou, donc. They connect words, phrases, or independent clauses.
- Subordinating conjunctions (introduce a dependent clause): parce que. It introduces a reason (a subordinate clause).

et — When do I use "et" (and)?

Meaning "Et" = and. It joins similar items: two nouns, adjectives, verbs, or full clauses.

How to use it / where it goes
- It does not change form. Always "et."
- It sits between the two parts you connect: "X et Y."
- No special agreement or contraction.

Punctuation note
- When it links words or verbs that share the same subject, no comma: "Il chante et danse." (He sings and dances.)
- When it links two long independent clauses with different subjects, you can use a comma for clarity, though often writers omit it: "Marie est partie, et Paul est resté." or "Marie est partie et Paul est resté."

Common mistakes
- Confusing "et" with the verb "est" (is). Example mistake: "Il et content." Correct: "Il est content."

Examples
- "J'aime le chocolat et la vanille." (I like chocolate and vanilla.)
- "Il lit et il écrit." (He reads and he writes.)
- "Elle est intelligente et travailleuse." (She is intelligent and hard-working.)
- "Nous irons à Paris, Lyon et Marseille." (We will go to Paris, Lyon and Marseille.)
- "Il a pris son sac et est sorti." (He took his bag and left.)

mais — When do I use "mais" (but)?

Meaning "Mais" = but. It introduces contrast or opposition between two ideas.

How to use it / where it goes
- Put "mais" between the contrasting elements: "X, mais Y."
- Often you put a comma before "mais" when it links two independent clauses: "Je veux venir, mais je suis malade." (I want to come, but I am sick.)

Common mistakes
- Using no punctuation when clarity needs a pause. Example less clear: "Je veux venir mais je suis malade." (This is understandable, but in writing a comma is common.)
- Mixing with stronger connectors like "cependant" or "toutefois" — these are more formal and often require different punctuation.

Examples
- "Il est riche mais malheureux." (He is rich but unhappy.)
- "Je voulais sortir, mais il a commencé à pleuvoir." (I wanted to go out, but it began to rain.)
- "Elle est petite mais très rapide." (She is small but very fast.)
- "Je travaille aujourd'hui, mais je suis libre demain." (I work today, but I'm free tomorrow.)

ou — When do I use "ou" (or)?

Meaning "Ou" = or. It presents alternatives or choices. In logic it can be inclusive (and/or), but in everyday French context usually implies a choice between options.

How to use it / where it goes
- Place it between the alternatives: "X ou Y."
- To be explicit about an exclusive choice you can use "soit... soit..." (either... or...).

Watch out: "ou" vs "où"
- "ou" (no accent) = or.
- "où" (accent grave) = where. They are pronounced the same, but spelled differently. Wrong accent changes meaning.
- Example: "Où est la gare ?" (Where is the station?) vs "Tu veux du thé ou du café ?" (Do you want tea or coffee?)

Examples
- "Prends un stylo ou un crayon." (Take a pen or a pencil.)
- "On peut partir maintenant ou attendre demain." (We can leave now or wait until tomorrow.)
- "Tu viens ou tu restes ?" (Are you coming or staying?)
- "Il habite à Lyon ou à Toulouse." (He lives in Lyon or in Toulouse.)

donc — When do I use "donc" (so / therefore)?

Meaning "Donc" marks a result or logical conclusion: so / therefore. It links a cause to its effect (cause → consequence) or announces a conclusion.

How to use it / where it goes
- It usually links two independent clauses: "Cause, donc, conséquence." Example: "Il a beaucoup travaillé, donc il a réussi." (He worked a lot, therefore he succeeded.)
- As a discourse marker you can start a sentence with "Donc," followed by a pause: "Donc, tu pars demain ?" (So, you're leaving tomorrow?)

Common mistakes
- Confusing cause and effect direction: "donc" expresses consequence. If you want to express reason, use "parce que." Compare:
- "Il a faim, donc il mange." (He is hungry, so he eats.) — hunger → result.
- "Il mange parce qu'il a faim." (He eats because he is hungry.) — reason → action.
- Redundant combinations: avoid using "parce que" and "donc" together to express the same link: "Parce qu'il était fatigué, donc il est parti." Better: "Il était fatigué, donc il est parti." or "Il est parti parce qu'il était fatigué."

Examples
- "Il a oublié son passeport, donc il n'a pas pu entrer." (He forgot his passport, so he couldn't get in.)
- "Elle a étudié toute la nuit, donc elle est fatiguée." (She studied all night, so she is tired.)
- "Il pleuvait; donc nous sommes restés chez nous." (It was raining; therefore we stayed home.)
- "Donc, qu'est-ce que tu proposes ?" (So, what do you propose?)

parce que — When do I use "parce que" (because)?

Meaning "Parce que" introduces the reason for something. It is subordinating: it creates a dependent clause that explains why the main clause happens.

How to use it / where it goes
- Structure: main clause + parce que + subordinate clause with its own subject and verb.
- Example: "Je suis resté parce qu'il pleuvait." (I stayed because it was raining.)
- You can also answer a "Pourquoi ?" question simply with "Parce que...":
- "Pourquoi es-tu en retard ? — Parce que j'ai raté le bus." (Why are you late? — Because I missed the bus.)
- "Parce que" can start a sentence in spoken answers (acceptable), though in formal writing you might restructure.

Related words / contrasts
- "Car" is more formal/literary and closer to "for" or "because" in written style: "Je pars, car il est tard."
- "Puisque" implies the reason is already known or obvious: "Puisque tu es là, aide-moi." (Since you're here, help me.)
- Use "à cause de" + noun to express cause with a noun: "Il est en retard à cause du trafic." (He is late because of traffic.)

Common mistakes
- Starting with "Parce que" in a formal essay to answer a question directly — in spoken French it's fine; in formal writing prefer a full sentence.
- Confusing "parce que" with "pour" or with "à cause de". "Parce que" introduces a clause; "à cause de" needs a noun phrase:
- Correct: "Il est parti parce qu'il était malade."
- Correct: "Il est parti à cause d'une maladie." (He left because of an illness.)

Examples
- "Je suis sorti parce qu'il faisait beau." (I went out because it was nice weather.)
- "Elle pleure parce qu'elle est triste." (She is crying because she is sad.)
- "Il est parti parce qu'il avait un rendez-vous." (He left because he had an appointment.)
- "Ce n'est pas parce que je suis riche que je suis heureux." (It's not because I'm rich that I'm happy.)
- "Pourquoi tu cries ? — Parce que je suis tombé." (Why are you crying? — Because I fell.)

Common confusions and comparisons — quick guide

et vs est

"et" = and. "est" = is (3rd-person singular of être). Example: "Il est gentil et intelligent." (He is kind and intelligent.)

ou vs où
- "ou" = or. "où" = where. Always check the accent.
- "Tu veux du thé ou du café ?" vs "Où vas-tu ?"

donc vs parce que
- "donc" = therefore / so (consequence). "parce que" = because (reason). You can often express the same situation either way, but the connector must match the direction (cause → effect for "donc", reason for "parce que").
- "Il a froid, donc il met un manteau." vs "Il met un manteau parce qu'il a froid."

parce que vs car vs puisque vs à cause de
- "car" (formal), "parce que" (general), "puisque" (because/since, when cause is known), "à cause de" (+ noun) for negative or neutral causes.
- "Je pars, car il est tard." (formal)
- "Je pars parce qu'il est tard." (general)
- "Puisque tu es fatigué, repose-toi." (the fact is assumed)
- "Il est en retard à cause du trafic." (+ noun)

Quick reference — short examples to memorize

et (and): "Elle chante et danse." — links similar things.
mais (but): "Je veux venir, mais je suis malade." — introduces contrast.
ou (or): "Thé ou café ?" — gives choices.
donc (so/therefore): "Il a échoué, donc il doit réviser." — shows consequence.
parce que (because): "Il pleure parce qu'il est triste." — gives a reason.

Glossary

Conjunction — a word that connects words, phrases, or clauses (e.g., et, mais). Coordinating conjunction — joins elements of equal grammatical rank (et, mais, ou, donc). Subordinating conjunction — introduces a subordinate (dependent) clause that cannot stand alone (parce que). Clause — a group of words with a subject and a verb. An independent clause can stand alone; a subordinate clause cannot.

Final tips for learners

Learn the basic meaning of each conjunction first (and/but/or/so/because) and practice with simple sentences.
Pay attention to punctuation in written French: a comma often precedes "mais" and "donc" when they link full clauses; "et" usually needs no comma when connecting elements with the same subject.
Watch accents: "ou" vs "où" — the accent changes the meaning.
When in doubt about reason vs result, ask whether you are giving a cause (use "parce que") or drawing a consequence (use "donc").