Teaching guidelines +/- 15 minutes

This lesson covers the French coordinating conjunctions "et" (and), "ou" (or), "car" (because), and "mais" (but), teaching how to connect words and phrases with examples like "Je peins ma chambre en bleu et gris." and "Elle choisit le rouge car c'est sa couleur préférée.".
  1. Use "et" to connect similar elements
  2. Use "ou" to offer an alternative
  3. Use "car" to explain the reason.
Conjonction (Conjunction)Exemple (Example)
Et (And)Je peins ma chambre en bleu et gris.  (I paint my room blue and grey.)
Ou (Or)Tu colories en rose ou en vert ? (Do you colour in pink or in green?)
Car (For)Elle choisit le rouge car c'est sa couleur préférée.  (She chooses red because it is her favourite colour.)
Mais (But)Je peux peindre que en noir mais je préfère le gris.  (I can only paint in black but I prefer grey.)

Exercise 1: Les conjonctions de coordination:"Et", "Ou", "Car", "Mais"

Instruction: Fill in the correct word.

Show translation Show answers

car, mais, ou, et

1.
Le ciel est bleu ... les nuages sont blancs.
(The sky is blue and the clouds are white.)
2.
Je sais pas si je veux un pantalon marron ... noir.
(I don't know if I want brown trousers or black.)
3.
Ils ont des vêtements noirs ... pas blancs.
(They have black clothes but not white ones.)
4.
Ils veulent du jaune ... du orange ?
(Do they want yellow or orange?)
5.
Tout le monde porte des vêtements noirs ... gris.
(Everyone is wearing black and grey clothes.)
6.
Sa robe est violette ... rose.
(Her dress is purple and pink.)
7.
L'enfant colorie que en rose ... c'est sa couleur préférée.
(The child colours only in pink because it is their favourite colour.)
8.
Il peint ses murs en blancs ... il veut changer de décoration.
(He paints his walls white because he wants to change the decoration.)

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice

Instruction: Choose the correct solution

1. Je peins ma chambre en bleu ___ gris.

(I paint my room blue ___ gray.)

2. Tu colories en rose ___ en vert ?

(Do you color in pink ___ in green?)

3. Elle choisit le rouge ___ c'est sa couleur préférée.

(She chooses red ___ it is her favorite color.)

4. Je peux peindre seulement en noir ___ je préfère le gris.

(I can paint only in black ___ I prefer gray.)

5. Je crée une voiture rouge ___ blanche.

(I create a red ___ white car.)

6. Nous peignons la porte en jaune ___ en orange.

(We paint the door yellow ___ orange.)

Introduction to Coordinating Conjunctions in French

This lesson focuses on four essential coordinating conjunctions used in French to connect words, phrases, or clauses: et, ou, car, and mais. These conjunctions help you express addition, choice, reason, and contrast, which are important elements in everyday communication.

Understanding Each Conjunction

  • Et – used to join similar elements, indicating addition. Example: "Je peins ma chambre en bleu et gris." (I paint my room in blue and gray.)
  • Ou – used to offer an alternative or choice. Example: "Tu colories en rose ou en vert ?" (Are you coloring in pink or green?)
  • Car – used to explain a reason, similar to "because". Example: "Elle choisit le rouge car c'est sa couleur préférée." (She chooses red because it is her favorite color.)
  • Mais – used to express a contrast or opposition. Example: "Je peux peindre en noir mais je préfère le gris." (I can paint in black but I prefer gray.)

Key Points to Remember

  • Et and ou link simple options or similar items.
  • Car introduces explanations or reasons, more formal than "parce que."
  • Mais introduces contrast, often equivalent to "but" in English.

Differences Between English and French Conjunctions

In English, conjunctions like "and," "or," "because," and "but" serve similar purposes, but French conjunctions can have subtle differences. For example, car is a formal way to give a reason and is often used in written language, whereas English learners might use "because" more frequently in speech. Also, French coordinating conjunctions do not change form, unlike some English conjunctions that may have contractions or variations.

Useful phrases to practice include:

  • Je veux du café ou du thé. (I want coffee or tea.)
  • Il est là mais fatigué. (He is here but tired.)
  • Nous étudions et apprenons. (We study and learn.)
  • Je pars tôt car j'ai rendez-vous. (I leave early because I have an appointment.)

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This content has been designed and reviewed by the coLanguage pedagogical team: About coLanguage

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Alessia Calcagni

Languages for communication in international enterprises and organizations

Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia

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Last Updated:

Thursday, 17/07/2025 14:09