Why is "Writing est (is) for et (and), or vice versa" a common mistake in Conjunctions?

Why it happens: They sound almost identical to a beginner's ear, and English has no equivalent spelling distinction. How to avoid it: Test by meaning: if you can say 'and' in English, write *et*; if you can say 'is', write *est*. *Il **est** grand **et** fort* — first is 'is' (*est*), second is 'and' (*et*). Source: Cambridge 0520 Examiner Reports — Paper 4 (Writing), accuracy

Why is "Confusing ou (or) with où (where)" a common mistake in Conjunctions?

Why it happens: The two words sound the same; beginners treat the accent as optional. How to avoid it: *ou* (or) offers a choice and has no accent; *où* (where) asks about place and has an accent grave. Leaving the accent off *où* is a marked spelling error. Source: Cambridge 0520 Examiner Reports — Paper 4 (Writing)

Why is "Forgetting elision: writing 'parce que il' instead of 'parce qu'il'" a common mistake in Conjunctions?

Why it happens: Learners keep the words separate as in English and don't notice the vowel clash. How to avoid it: Before a vowel, *que* drops its e and takes an apostrophe: *parce qu'il*, *parce qu'elle*, *parce qu'on*, *qu'il*, *lorsqu'il*. The apostrophe is compulsory in writing. Source: Cambridge 0520 Examiner Reports — Paper 4 (Writing), accuracy

Why is "Over-applying elision to si (writing 's'elle' or 's'on')" a common mistake in Conjunctions?

Why it happens: Students learn that *que* elides before any vowel and assume *si* behaves the same way. How to avoid it: *si* elides ONLY before *il* and *ils* (*s'il*, *s'ils*). It stays full as *si elle*, *si on*, *si un*. Keep the *si* rule separate from the *que* rule. Source: Cambridge 0520 Examiner Reports — Paper 4 (Writing)

Why is "Repeating et … et … et instead of varying connectives" a common mistake in Conjunctions?

Why it happens: *et* is the first conjunction beginners learn, so they overuse it for every link. How to avoid it: Ask what the two ideas do: contrast → *mais*; cause/result → *parce que / donc*; time → *quand*; condition → *si*. A spread of connectives is explicitly rewarded in the mark scheme. Source: Cambridge 0520 Examiner Reports — Papers 3 & 4 (range of connectives)

Why is "Dropping que (that) the way English drops 'that'" a common mistake in Conjunctions?

Why it happens: English lets you say 'I think it's good' with no 'that', so learners omit *que* in French too. How to avoid it: *que* is compulsory in French: *Je pense **que** c'est bon*, never *Je pense c'est bon*. Always include *que* after verbs of thinking and saying (*penser*, *dire*, *savoir*, *croire*). Source: Cambridge 0520 Examiner Reports — Paper 4 (Writing)

Core GrammarCambridge IGCSE French (0520)

Conjunctions

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French conjunctions — joining words like et, mais, parce que and quand — Cambridge IGCSE French 0520 (2025-2027)

A beginner-friendly guide to the little joining words (conjunctions) that glue your French sentences together and instantly lift them from simple to impressive. Master et, mais, ou, parce que, quand and si to earn the 'range of connectives' marks in Paper 4 Writing and Paper 3 Speaking.

At a glance

A conjunction (une conjonction) is a joining word that links two ideas — exactly like English and, but, or, because, when.
The five you must know cold are et (and), mais (but), ou (or), parce que (because) and car (because/for).
parce que (because) answers a pourquoi ? (why?) question — using it correctly is one of the easiest ways to add detail and earn marks.
et (and) and ou (or) trigger liaison: et is the exception — it never links its final t, while ou and most others can.
Longer connectives ending in que (que = that) drop their e before a vowel: parce que il becomes parce qu'il (because he).
Conjunctions like quand (when), lorsque (when), puisque (since) and pendant que (while) let you build complex, time-and-reason-rich sentences.
si (if) sets up conditions: si tu veux (if you want) — and si elides to s' only before il/ils (s'il — if he).
Examiners reward a variety of connectives: do not write et … et … et — reach for mais, parce que, donc (so) and quand instead.

What you’ll learn

Mapped to the Cambridge IGCSE 0520 syllabus (2025-2027).

Define a conjunction and explain how it joins two clauses or ideas in a sentence.
Use the core coordinating conjunctions et, mais, ou, car and donc accurately.
Use parce que and car to give reasons, and respond to pourquoi ? (why?) questions.
Use subordinating conjunctions quand, lorsque, si, pendant que and puisque to build complex sentences.
Apply elision correctly to que-conjunctions (parce qu'il) and to si before il/ils (s'il).
Recognise that et never makes a liaison, unlike other linking words.
Select a varied range of connectives to raise the quality of written and spoken French.

What a conjunction is — and why it matters for marks

A conjunction is a joining word that links two ideas into one richer sentence.

A conjunction (in French, une conjonction — a conjunction) is simply a joining word. Its whole job is to connect two pieces of a sentence so that two short ideas become one fuller, more natural-sounding idea.

You already do this constantly in English without thinking about it:

"I like coffee. I like tea." → "I like coffee and tea."
"It is cold. I am happy." → "It is cold but I am happy."

French works in exactly the same way, with its own set of joining words:

French	Plain-English sound	English meaning
et	"ay"	and
mais	"meh"	but
ou	"oo"	or
car	"kar"	because / for
donc	"donk"	so / therefore
parce que	"pars-kuh"	because
quand	"kon"	when
si	"see"	if

Why examiners care. Cambridge mark schemes for Paper 4 (Writing) and Paper 3 (Speaking) explicitly reward a range of connectives. A beginner who writes only et … et … et (and … and … and) sounds like a list. A student who uses mais (but), parce que (because) and quand (when) sounds like a real speaker — and climbs into the higher mark bands.

Worked mini-example. Turn three baby sentences into one good one: J'aime le sport. Je joue au foot. Il fait beau. (I like sport. I play football. The weather is nice.) → J'aime le sport, donc je joue au foot quand il fait beau. (I like sport, so I play football when the weather is nice.) One sentence, two connectives, far more impressive.

A conjunction (une conjonction) is a joining word linking two ideas.
Core set: et (and), mais (but), ou (or), car/parce que (because), donc (so), quand (when), si (if).
Mark schemes reward a range of connectives, not the same one repeated.
Joining short sentences with connectives lifts you into higher mark bands.

Coordinating conjunctions — et, mais, ou, car, donc

These five join two ideas of equal weight. Remember them with the made-up word 'MOCDE'.

Coordinating conjunctions join two ideas of equal importance — two main clauses sitting side by side, neither one depending on the other. French has a small, high-frequency set you should know by heart.

A handy memory hook is the nonsense word MOC-DE: Mais, Ou, Car, Donc, Et.

Conjunction	Meaning	Example	English
et	and	J'ai un frère et une sœur.	I have a brother and a sister.
mais	but	C'est cher mais c'est bon.	It's expensive but it's good.
ou	or	Tu veux du thé ou du café ?	Do you want tea or coffee?
car	because / for	Je reste à la maison, car il pleut.	I'm staying home, because it's raining.
donc	so / therefore	Il est tard, donc je vais au lit.	It's late, so I'm going to bed.

A note on each one.

et (and) — the workhorse. Note it is spelled et, never est (which means "is"). In speech, et is the one word that never makes a liaison: in et un ami you do not link the t — say "ay uhn a-MEE", not "ay-t-uhn".
mais (but) — sets up a contrast. Pronounced "meh"; the final s is silent.
ou (or) — no accent. où (with an accent) means "where" — completely different word.
car (because/for) — a slightly more formal "because". It joins two main clauses and cannot start a sentence answering pourquoi ?. Compare with parce que in the next section.
donc (so/therefore) — draws a conclusion. Very useful for showing cause and effect: Je suis fatigué, donc je dors. (I'm tired, so I'm sleeping.)

Worked mini-example. Choose the right connective: "I'd like to go out ___ it's raining." The two ideas contrast (wanting to go out vs the rain stopping you), so you need mais (but): Je voudrais sortir, mais il pleut. (I'd like to go out, but it's raining.)

Coordinating conjunctions join two equal main clauses.
Memory hook MOC-DE: Mais, Ou, Car, Donc, Et.
et = and (never est); mais = but; ou = or (never où).
car = because/for; donc = so/therefore (shows a conclusion).
et is the one word that never makes a liaison.

Giving reasons — parce que (because) and pourquoi (why)

parce que answers a 'why?' question. It is the single most mark-earning connective at this level.

If you learn only one connective beyond et, make it parce que (because). It is the natural partner to the question word pourquoi ? (why?), and giving reasons is one of the easiest ways to add the detail that examiners reward.

The pattern is identical to English:

Question: Pourquoi aimes-tu le français ? (Why do you like French?) Answer: J'aime le français parce que c'est utile. (I like French because it's useful.)

French	English
Pourquoi ?	Why?
Parce que…	Because…
J'étudie parce que* je veux réussir.*	I study because I want to succeed.
Elle est contente parce qu'il fait beau.	She's happy because the weather is nice.

The elision rule — parce que → parce qu'. Que (that/which) ends in a vowel-sound e, so when the next word starts with a vowel (a, e, i, o, u) or a silent h, the e is dropped and replaced by an apostrophe:

parce que il → parce qu'il (because he)
parce que elle → parce qu'elle (because she)
parce que on → parce qu'on (because one/we)

This elision is compulsory in writing — you must write the apostrophe. The same rule applies to other connectives ending in -que (see the next section).

Worked mini-example. Build a full answer to a Speaking question. Pourquoi habites-tu ici ? (Why do you live here?) → J'habite ici parce que ma famille est ici et parce qu'il y a de bonnes écoles. (I live here because my family is here and because there are good schools.) Notice parce qu'il with elision, and et linking two reasons.

parce que (because) answers pourquoi ? (why?).
Giving reasons adds detail and earns marks at Standard level.
Elision: parce que il → parce qu'il; parce que elle → parce qu'elle.
The apostrophe is compulsory in writing.
Stack reasons with et and parce que for a fuller answer.

Subordinating conjunctions — quand, lorsque, pendant que, puisque

These add a dependent clause of time or reason, making your sentences genuinely complex.

A subordinating conjunction (quand) links a main clause to a dependent clause to form one complex sentence.

Subordinating conjunctions are the next level up. They attach a dependent clause — a clause that cannot stand on its own — to a main clause. This is how you make genuinely complex sentences, which are the gateway to the top mark bands.

Conjunction	Meaning	Example	English
quand	when	Je lis quand* j'ai le temps.*	I read when I have time.
lorsque	when (slightly formal)	*Lorsqu'il arrive, on mange.*	When he arrives, we eat.
pendant que	while	Il chante pendant que* je cuisine.*	He sings while I cook.
puisque	since / given that	Puisque tu es là, aide-moi.	Since you're here, help me.
comme	as / since	Comme il pleut, je reste.	As it's raining, I'm staying.

The -que elision again. Lorsque, puisque and pendant que all end in que, so they drop the e before a vowel, exactly like parce que:

lorsque il → lorsqu'il (when he)
puisque elle → puisqu'elle (since she)

quand vs lorsque. They mean the same thing ("when"); quand is the everyday word and lorsque is a touch more formal/written. Using lorsque occasionally shows range — but quand is always safe.

Worked mini-example. Combine: Je fais mes devoirs. Mes parents regardent la télé. (I do my homework. My parents watch TV.) Link them with pendant que (while): → Je fais mes devoirs pendant que mes parents regardent la télé. (I do my homework while my parents watch TV.) One complex sentence — instantly higher quality.

Subordinating conjunctions attach a dependent clause to a main clause.
Key time/reason joiners: quand (when), lorsque (when), pendant que (while), puisque (since), comme (as/since).
que-enders elide before a vowel: lorsqu'il, puisqu'elle.
quand is everyday; lorsque is slightly more formal — both mean 'when'.
Using these is how beginners build genuinely complex sentences.

Conditions with si (if) — and the s'il rule

si means 'if' and sets up a condition; it elides only before il and ils.

si (if) is the conjunction of conditions — it sets up an "if this, then that" situation. It is extremely common and very examinable in both speaking and writing.

French	English
Si tu veux, on peut sortir.	If you want, we can go out.
Je suis content si tu es là.	I'm happy if you're here.
On reste à la maison s'il* pleut.*	We stay home if it rains.

The special elision: si → s' before il/ils only. This is the one rule that catches everyone. Unlike que, si elides only before il (he) and ils (they) — never before elle, on, un or any other vowel:

Combination	Result	English
si + il	s'il	if he / if it
si + ils	s'ils	if they (masc.)
si + elle	si elle (no elision!)	if she
si + on	si on (no elision!)	if we / if one

So you write s'il vous plaît (literally "if it pleases you" — the everyday "please"!) and s'il te plaît (please, informal). But you write si elle vient (if she comes) with no apostrophe.

Worked mini-example. Translate: "If he is late, I'll wait. If she is late, I'll leave." → S'il est en retard, j'attends. Si elle est en retard, je pars. Note s'il (elided, before il) but si elle (not elided, before elle). This contrast is a classic exam trap.

si (if) sets up a condition: si tu veux (if you want).
si elides to s' ONLY before il and ils: s'il, s'ils.
It does not elide before elle, on, un etc.: si elle, si on.
s'il vous plaît / s'il te plaît (please) literally means 'if it pleases you'.
The s'il vs si elle contrast is a common exam trap.

Building variety — escaping the 'et … et … et' trap

Swap repeated 'and's for a richer mix of connectives to climb the mark bands.

Replacing repeated et with donc, mais and quand turns a list into a high-scoring sentence.

The single biggest quick win for a beginner is to stop repeating et (and). A string of et … et … et reads like a shopping list and stays in the lower mark bands. Reach instead for a spread of connectives.

Keep this mini-toolbox ready:

Job	Connective	Example
Add an idea	et (and)	J'aime le sport et la musique. — sport and music
Contrast	mais (but)	J'aime le foot mais* pas le rugby.* — but not rugby
Give a reason	parce que (because)	…parce que* c'est amusant.* — because it's fun
Draw a conclusion	donc (so)	Il pleut, donc* je reste.* — so I'm staying
Add a time	quand (when)	…quand* il fait beau.* — when it's sunny
Add a condition	si (if)	Si tu veux… — if you want

A simple upgrade recipe. Whenever you are about to write et for the third time, ask: do these two ideas contrast (use mais), does one cause the other (use donc or parce que), or is there a time/condition (use quand or si)?

Worked mini-example. Weak: J'aime lire et j'aime la musique et je regarde la télé. (I like reading and I like music and I watch TV.) Strong: J'aime lire, mais je préfère la musique quand je suis fatigué, donc je regarde aussi la télé. (I like reading, but I prefer music when I'm tired, so I also watch TV.) Same ideas — three different connectives — a noticeably better answer.

Repeated et … et … et keeps you in the lower bands — vary your connectives.
Toolbox: et (add), mais (contrast), parce que (reason), donc (conclusion), quand (time), si (condition).
Recipe: contrast → mais; cause → donc/parce que; time/condition → quand/si.
A spread of connectives is explicitly rewarded in Paper 3 and Paper 4 mark schemes.

How it’s examined

Conjunctions feed directly into the quality marks across Cambridge IGCSE French 0520.

Paper 1 (Listening): Connectives signal how ideas relate — mais (but) flags a contrast, parce que (because) introduces a reason, quand (when) and si (if) frame conditions. Catching them helps you answer "why" and "when" questions correctly.
Paper 2 (Reading): Conjunctions are the glue you follow to track an argument. Spotting mais, donc and parce que tells you whether the next idea agrees, concludes, or explains — vital for inference questions.
Paper 3 (Speaking): The mark scheme rewards a range of connectives and the ability to develop answers. Using parce que to give reasons and quand/si to add detail lifts you out of one-word answers into the higher fluency bands.
Paper 4 (Writing): This is where conjunctions earn the most. Examiners explicitly credit a variety of connectives and accurate complex sentences. The accuracy details matter too: the elisions parce qu'il, s'il, lorsqu'il must be written with the apostrophe, and et must not be confused with est.

Examiner reports for 0520 repeatedly praise candidates who link ideas with a spread of connectives and penalise scripts that rely on et alone or that omit the apostrophe in s'il / qu'il.

Sources: Cambridge IGCSE French 0520 Syllabus 2025-2027; Cambridge 0520 Paper 3 (Speaking) & Paper 4 (Writing) Specimen 2025-2027; Cambridge 0520 Examiner Reports 2022-2024. Last reviewed 2026-06-02.

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Step-by-step worked examples — Conjunctions

Step-by-step solutions to past-paper-style questions on conjunctions, written exactly the way a tutor would explain them at the board.

1Choose the right joining word (et, mais, donc)
Getting started
Question
Fill each gap with et (and), mais (but) or donc (so):

J'aime le chocolat ___ les bonbons. (I like chocolate ___ sweets.)

C'est cher ___ c'est bon. (It's expensive ___ it's good.)

Il pleut, ___ je reste à la maison. (It's raining, ___ I'm staying home.)
Step-by-step solution
1. Step 1
  Sentence 1 adds a second thing — chocolate plus sweets — so it needs et (and). Nothing contrasts; you are simply listing two things you like.
2. Step 2
  Sentence 2 contrasts two ideas — expensive, yet good. A contrast needs mais (but).
3. Step 3
  Sentence 3 shows a result — the rain causes you to stay in. A result needs donc (so/therefore).
Answer
J'aime le chocolat et les bonbons. 2. C'est cher mais c'est bon. 3. Il pleut, donc je reste à la maison.
Examiner tip
Think about the relationship between the two ideas: adding → et, opposing → mais, concluding → donc. Choosing the right connective (not just et every time) is exactly what the Paper 4 mark scheme rewards as 'range'.
2Answer a pourquoi ? (why?) question with parce que
Getting started
Question
The examiner asks: Pourquoi aimes-tu ta ville ? (Why do you like your town?). Give a full answer using parce que (because), and add a second reason with et (and).
Step-by-step solution
1. Step 1
  Start by echoing the verb, then add parce que to introduce the reason: J'aime ma ville parce que… (I like my town because…). A pourquoi ? question is always answered with parce que.
2. Step 2
  Add the first reason as a full clause (with its own verb): …parce qu'il y a beaucoup de magasins (…because there are lots of shops).
3. Step 3
  Stack a second reason with et parce que: …et parce que mes amis habitent ici (…and because my friends live here). This 'develops' the answer, which scores higher than a one-word reply.
Answer
*J'aime ma ville **parce qu'*il y a beaucoup de magasins et parce que mes amis habitent ici. (I like my town because there are lots of shops and because my friends live here.)
Examiner tip
Giving reasons with parce que is the single highest-value habit at this level. Note the elision parce qu'il before the vowel sound of il y a. Developing an answer with two reasons lifts you out of the lowest fluency band in Paper 3.
3Apply the elision: parce que → parce qu'
Building confidence
Question
Rewrite each phrase correctly, applying elision where needed:

parce que il est tard (because it's late)

parce que elle aime ça (because she likes that)

parce que nous sommes fatigués (because we're tired)
Step-by-step solution
1. Step 1
  Check the next word. Que drops its e and takes an apostrophe only when the next word starts with a vowel (a, e, i, o, u) or silent h.
2. Step 2
  1. il starts with a vowel → elide: parce que il → parce qu'il est tard.
3. Step 3
  2. elle starts with a vowel → elide: parce que elle → parce qu'elle aime ça.
4. Step 4
  3. nous starts with a consonant → NO elision: keep parce que nous sommes fatigués. The apostrophe would be wrong here.
Answer
***parce qu'*il est tard · 2. ***parce qu'*elle aime ça · 3. parce que nous sommes fatigués (no elision — nous begins with a consonant).
Examiner tip
Elision happens before a vowel, not automatically. Writing parce qu'nous (wrong) or parce que il (wrong) are both accuracy errors. The apostrophe is compulsory in writing when the next word is a vowel: parce qu'il, parce qu'elle, parce qu'on.
4Combine short sentences with quand and parce que
Building confidence
Question
Join these three short sentences into one developed sentence using quand (when) and parce que (because): Je suis content. Il fait beau. Je peux jouer dehors. (I'm happy. The weather is nice. I can play outside.)
Step-by-step solution
1. Step 1
  Find the time link. Being happy happens when the weather is nice → join the first two with quand: Je suis content quand il fait beau (I'm happy when the weather is nice).
2. Step 2
  Find the reason link. The third sentence explains why you're happy → attach it with parce que: …parce que je peux jouer dehors (…because I can play outside).
3. Step 3
  Check elision. quand il needs no apostrophe (quand does not elide); parce que je needs none either (je is a consonant sound here). The sentence is correct as written.
Answer
Je suis content quand il fait beau parce que je peux jouer dehors. (I'm happy when the weather is nice because I can play outside.)
Examiner tip
Turning three baby sentences into one complex sentence is the move that lifts a script into the higher bands. Two different connectives (quand + parce que) demonstrate range — far stronger than et … et … et.
5The s'il vs si elle trap
Stretch
Question
Translate, paying attention to elision: If he comes, I'll stay; if she comes, I'll leave. (Use the present after si.)
Step-by-step solution
1. Step 1
  si + il elides to s'il. si il vient → s'il vient (if he comes). Si contracts before il and ils.
2. Step 2
  si + elle does NOT elide. si elle vient stays si elle vient (if she comes). Si never contracts before elle, on, un — only before il/ils.
3. Step 3
  Build the two clauses. 'I'll stay' = je reste; 'I'll leave' = je pars. (Present tense after si is fine at this level.)
Answer
S'il vient, je reste ; si elle vient, je pars. — Note s'il (elided, before il) but si elle (no apostrophe, before elle).
Examiner tip
This contrast is a classic exam trap. si elides ONLY before il/ils (s'il, s'ils); it stays full as si elle, si on. This is the opposite of que, which elides before any vowel (qu'elle, qu'on). Writing s'elle is a marked accuracy error.

Model Answers — Conjunctions

High-scoring sample answers for conjunctions on the Cambridge IGCSE 0520 paper, with examiner-style notes mapping each response to the mark scheme and assessment objectives.

Question 1
Paper 3 (Speaking) / Paper 4 (Writing) style. Aimes-tu l'école ? Pourquoi ? (Do you like school? Why?) Give a developed answer using at least three different connectives.
Model answer
Oui, j'aime l'école parce que j'adore mes amis et les cours sont intéressants. Mais je n'aime pas me lever tôt, donc je suis souvent fatigué le matin. Quand il y a un contrôle, je révise beaucoup.

(Yes, I like school because I love my friends and the lessons are interesting. But I don't like getting up early, so I'm often tired in the morning. When there's a test, I revise a lot.)
Why this scores
Why this scores. It uses five connectives — parce que (reason), et (addition), mais (contrast), donc (result) and quand (time) — which directly hits the 'range of connectives' criterion. The opinion is justified with parce que, and the contrast with mais shows balanced thinking. Note parce que j'adore keeps its full form because je/j' — here the verb adore triggers elision of je to j', not of que.
Question 2
Paper 4 (Writing) style. Write two sentences about your plans, using quand (when) and si (if).
Model answer
Quand j'aurai dix-huit ans, je voyagerai en France. Si j'ai assez d'argent, je visiterai Paris.

(When I'm eighteen, I'll travel to France. If I have enough money, I'll visit Paris.)
Why this scores
Why this scores. Quand and si both open dependent clauses and frame future plans clearly. A nice extra touch (Going-deeper level): after quand about the future, French uses the future tense — quand j'aurai (when I will have) — which is more accurate than the English present. After si, the present (si j'ai) is correct. Getting this tense pairing right impresses examiners.
Question 3
Paper 4 (Writing) style. A weak answer reads: J'aime le sport. Je joue au foot. Je nage. Il fait chaud. Rewrite it as one developed sentence using a variety of connectives.
Model answer
J'aime le sport, donc je joue au foot, mais je préfère nager quand il fait chaud.

(I like sport, so I play football, but I prefer to swim when it's hot.)
Why this scores
Why this scores. Four short, disconnected sentences become one flowing sentence with three connectives (donc, mais, quand), showing result, contrast and time. Examiner reports repeatedly note that linking ideas — rather than listing them — is what separates higher-band scripts from lower ones.

Key Definitions and Keywords — Conjunctions

Definitions to memorise and the exact keywords mark schemes credit for conjunctions answers — sharpened from recent examiner reports for the 2026 0520 sitting.

et
Examiner keyword
The conjunction 'and'. It adds an idea. Spelled without an accent (never est = is) and is the one word that never makes a liaison.
Example
J'ai un frère et une sœur. — I have a brother and a sister.
mais
Examiner keyword
The conjunction 'but'. It sets up a contrast between two ideas. Pronounced 'meh'; the final s is silent.
Example
C'est petit mais c'est joli. — It's small but it's pretty.
ou
Examiner keyword
The conjunction 'or', offering a choice. Has no accent — do not confuse it with où (where), which has an accent grave.
Example
Tu veux du thé ou du café ? — Do you want tea or coffee?
donc
Examiner keyword
The conjunction 'so / therefore'. It introduces a result or conclusion that follows from the first idea.
Example
Il est tard, donc je vais au lit. — It's late, so I'm going to bed.
car
The conjunction 'because / for'. A slightly formal way to give a reason; it joins two main clauses and cannot start a sentence.
Example
Je reste, car il pleut. — I'm staying, because it's raining.
parce que
Examiner keyword
The all-purpose conjunction 'because'. It answers pourquoi ? (why?) and introduces a reason as a full clause. Elides to parce qu' before a vowel.
Example
*J'apprends le français **parce qu'*il est utile. — I learn French because it's useful.
quand
Examiner keyword
The conjunction 'when'. It links two events in time and is also the question word 'when?'. Pronounced 'kon' (nasal).
Example
Je lis quand j'ai le temps. — I read when I have time.
si
Examiner keyword
The conjunction 'if', setting up a condition. Followed by the present tense at this level. Elides to s' only before il and ils.
Example
Si tu veux, on sort. — If you want, we'll go out. S'il pleut, je reste. — If it rains, I stay.
que
The conjunction 'that', linking a verb of thinking/saying to what is thought or said. Compulsory in French even when English drops it. Elides to qu' before a vowel.
Example
Je pense que c'est bon. — I think (that) it's good. Il dit qu'il est malade.
pendant que
The conjunction 'while', linking two simultaneous actions. Ends in que, so it elides to pendant qu' before a vowel.
Example
Il chante pendant que je cuisine. — He sings while I cook.

Common Mistakes and Misconceptions — Conjunctions

The traps other students keep falling into on conjunctions questions — taken from recent Cambridge IGCSE 0520 examiner reports and mark schemes — and how to avoid them.

✕Writing est (is) for et (and), or vice versa
Cambridge 0520 Examiner Reports — Paper 4 (Writing), accuracy
Why it happens
They sound almost identical to a beginner's ear, and English has no equivalent spelling distinction.
How to avoid it
Test by meaning: if you can say 'and' in English, write et; if you can say 'is', write est. Il est grand et fort — first is 'is' (est), second is 'and' (et).
✕Confusing ou (or) with où (where)
Cambridge 0520 Examiner Reports — Paper 4 (Writing)
Why it happens
The two words sound the same; beginners treat the accent as optional.
How to avoid it
ou (or) offers a choice and has no accent; où (where) asks about place and has an accent grave. Leaving the accent off où is a marked spelling error.
✕Forgetting elision: writing 'parce que il' instead of 'parce qu'il'
Cambridge 0520 Examiner Reports — Paper 4 (Writing), accuracy
Why it happens
Learners keep the words separate as in English and don't notice the vowel clash.
How to avoid it
Before a vowel, que drops its e and takes an apostrophe: parce qu'il, parce qu'elle, parce qu'on, qu'il, lorsqu'il. The apostrophe is compulsory in writing.
✕Over-applying elision to si (writing 's'elle' or 's'on')
Cambridge 0520 Examiner Reports — Paper 4 (Writing)
Why it happens
Students learn that que elides before any vowel and assume si behaves the same way.
How to avoid it
si elides ONLY before il and ils (s'il, s'ils). It stays full as si elle, si on, si un. Keep the si rule separate from the que rule.
✕Repeating et … et … et instead of varying connectives
Cambridge 0520 Examiner Reports — Papers 3 & 4 (range of connectives)
Why it happens
et is the first conjunction beginners learn, so they overuse it for every link.
How to avoid it
Ask what the two ideas do: contrast → mais; cause/result → parce que / donc; time → quand; condition → si. A spread of connectives is explicitly rewarded in the mark scheme.
✕Dropping que (that) the way English drops 'that'
Cambridge 0520 Examiner Reports — Paper 4 (Writing)
Why it happens
English lets you say 'I think it's good' with no 'that', so learners omit que in French too.
How to avoid it
que is compulsory in French: Je pense que c'est bon, never Je pense c'est bon. Always include que after verbs of thinking and saying (penser, dire, savoir, croire).

Past paper style quiz

Get a report showing which sub-topics you've nailed and which ones still need work.

Conjunctions

Detailed Notes

What you’ll learn

How it’s examined

1Choose the right joining word (et, mais, donc)

2Answer a pourquoi ? (why?) question with parce que

3Apply the elision: parce que → parce qu'

4Combine short sentences with quand and parce que

5The s'il vs si elle trap

et

mais

ou

donc

car

parce que

quand

si

que

pendant que

✕Writing est (is) for et (and), or vice versa

✕Confusing ou (or) with où (where)

✕Forgetting elision: writing 'parce que il' instead of 'parce qu'il'

✕Over-applying elision to si (writing 's'elle' or 's'on')

✕Repeating et … et … et instead of varying connectives

✕Dropping que (that) the way English drops 'that'

Past paper style quiz