Lesson 31: Coordinating Conjunctions in French
Introduction
This lesson focuses on mastering the seven primary coordinating conjunctions in French : mais, ou, et, donc, or, ni, car. These pivotal words knit sentences, clauses, and thoughts together. Equipped with examples and translation exercises, this lesson aims to sharpen your French connectivity in speech and writing.
The Main Coordinating Conjunctions with Examples and Translations
1. Mais (But)
- Je voudrais sortir mais il fait froid. I would like to go out but it’s cold.
- Il est riche mais malheureux. He is rich but unhappy.
- Elle aime le thé mais préfère le café. She likes tea but prefers coffee.
- Nous irions bien à la plage, mais il pleut. We would go to the beach, but it’s raining.
2. Ou (Or)
- Veux-tu du thé ou du café? Do you want tea or coffee?
- Sortirons-nous ce soir ou resterons-nous à la maison? Will we go out tonight or stay at home?
- Est-ce qu’il travaille ou il est encore au lit? Is he working or is he still in bed?
- Achèteras-tu le rouge ou le bleu? Will you buy the red or the blue one?
3. Et (And)
- J’aime lire et écrire. I like to read and write.
- Elle chante et danse merveilleusement. She sings and dances wonderfully.
- Nous partirons en vacances en juillet et en août. We will go on vacation in July and August.
- Il a acheté des pommes et des oranges. He bought apples and oranges.
4. Donc (So, Therefore)
- Il était malade, donc il est resté au lit. He was sick, so he stayed in bed.
- Nous n’avons plus de café, donc je vais en acheter. We’re out of coffee, so I’m going to buy some.
- Elle est partie tôt, donc elle arrivera à l’heure. She left early, so she will arrive on time.
- Il a oublié son sac, donc il doit revenir. He forgot his bag, so he has to come back.
5. Or (Yet, However)
- J’aime voyager, or je n’ai pas beaucoup d’argent. I like to travel, yet I don’t have much money.
- Il veut ce livre, or il est épuisé. He wants this book, however it’s sold out.
- Elle prévoit de nous rejoindre, or elle n’a pas confirmé. She plans to join us, yet she hasn’t confirmed.
- Nous avons essayé de le réparer, or le problème persiste. We tried to fix it, yet the problem persists.
6. Ni (Nor)
- Il n’aime ni le fromage ni le vin. He likes neither cheese nor wine.
- Elle ne veut aller ni en France ni en Espagne. She wants to go neither to France nor to Spain.
- Je ne parle ni anglais ni espagnol. I speak neither English nor Spanish.
- Il n’a ni frères ni sœurs. He has neither brothers nor sisters.
7. Car (For, Because)
- Je reste à la maison car je suis malade. I’m staying home because I’m sick.
- Elle étudie beaucoup car elle veut réussir. She studies a lot because she wants to succeed.
- Nous prenons un taxi car il est tard. We’re taking a taxi because it’s late.
- Il a accepté l’offre car elle était avantageuse. He accepted the offer because it was advantageous.
🍀 Activities 🍀
🔷 Exercise 1: Translation to French (Thème)
Translate the following sentences into French:
🔷 Exercise 2: Translation to English (Version)
Translate the following sentences into English:
By engaging with these examples and exercises, you’ll become more adept at using French coordinating conjunctions to link your thoughts clearly and effectively.