A1 Prepositions & Connectors 9 min read Easy

French Conjunctions: Linking words like 'and' & 'but' (Les conjonctions)

Use conjunctions like 'et', 'ou', and 'mais' to turn simple words into natural, flowing French sentences.
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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Linking words connect ideas; use 'et' for 'and', 'mais' for 'but', and 'ou' for 'or' to build longer, natural sentences.

  • Use 'et' to add information: J'aime le café et le thé.
  • Use 'mais' to show contrast: Je suis fatigué, mais je travaille.
  • Use 'ou' to offer a choice: Tu veux du café ou du thé ?
Idea 1 + Conjunction + Idea 2

Overview

French conjunctions, known as les conjonctions, are invariable words that serve as the fundamental connectors within sentences. Their primary function is to link words, phrases, or clauses, establishing logical relationships such as addition, choice, opposition, consequence, or reason. Mastering conjunctions is crucial for constructing grammatically coherent sentences and expressing more complex ideas, moving beyond simple, isolated statements.

At the A1 (Beginner) CEFR level, the focus is on coordinating conjunctions (les conjonctions de coordination), which connect elements of equal grammatical rank.

Historically, the importance of coordinating conjunctions in French is encapsulated by the mnemonic "Mais où est donc Ornicar ?" While playful, this phrase lists the seven primary coordinating conjunctions: mais (but), où (or, in this context, the ou without the accent), et (and), donc (so, therefore), or (yet, now – less common at A1), ni (nor), and car (because, for). For an A1 learner, et, ou, mais, donc, car, and ni are indispensable for daily communication, enabling you to combine thoughts and articulate basic connections between events or ideas. Their invariability means they do not change form based on gender, number, or verb tense, simplifying their acquisition significantly.

How This Grammar Works

Coordinating conjunctions function as linguistic bridges, joining two equivalent grammatical units. This equivalence is paramount: you use et to connect two nouns, two adjectives, two verbs, or two independent clauses, but not a noun and a verb, for instance. This principle ensures sentence balance and clarity.
The most significant grammatical feature of these conjunctions is their invariability. Unlike French nouns, adjectives, or verbs, conjunctions never agree in gender or number, nor do they undergo conjugation. Once you learn the form mais, it remains mais in all contexts, simplifying application.
For example, when connecting two nouns, such as un livre et un crayon (a book and a pencil), et remains unchanged. Similarly, linking two actions like Je lis et j'écris (I read and I write) does not alter the conjunction. Even when connecting two complete sentences that could stand alone, such as Il fait beau, mais il fait froid (It is beautiful weather, but it is cold), mais maintains its singular form.
This consistent morphology contrasts sharply with other French grammatical elements, making conjunctions relatively straightforward to integrate into your early French vocabulary. Their position is typically directly between the two elements they connect, creating a seamless flow of information.

Formation Pattern

1
Using coordinating conjunctions in French follows a consistent pattern: you place the conjunction directly between the two elements you wish to link. The choice of conjunction depends entirely on the logical relationship you intend to express. Here, we detail the core A1 coordinating conjunctions, their functions, and specific usage patterns.
2
Et (and)
3
Function: Expresses addition or continuity. It links elements that are presented together or consecutively.
4
Pattern: Element A et Element B.
5
Punctuation: Typically, no comma precedes et unless it's part of a list of three or more items where a comma might be used for clarity before the final et.
6
Liaison: A silent t at the end of et is generally not pronounced, even before a vowel. This is a common point of confusion for beginners. For example, in et‿un, the t remains silent; you hear e-un.
7
Examples:
8
J'aime le café et le thé. (I like coffee and tea.)
9
Elle parle français et anglais. (She speaks French and English.)
10
Nous mangeons et nous parlons. (We eat and we talk.)
11
Ou (or)
12
Function: Indicates a choice or an alternative between two or more elements.
13
Pattern: Element A ou Element B.
14
Punctuation: No comma is typically used before ou.
15
Distinction: Crucially, ou (or) must not be confused with où (where). The accent (accent grave) on où changes its meaning entirely, transforming it from a conjunction of choice into an adverb or relative pronoun of place. ou refers to selection; où refers to location.
16
Examples:
17
Tu veux une pomme ou une orange ? (Do you want an apple or an orange?)
18
C'est lundi ou mardi ? (Is it Monday or Tuesday?)
19
Nous allons au cinéma ou au restaurant. (We go to the cinema or to the restaurant.)
20
Mais (but)
21
Function: Introduces an opposition, contrast, or an exception to a preceding statement.
22
Pattern: Clause 1, mais Clause 2.
23
Punctuation: A comma always precedes mais when it connects two clauses, especially if the second clause introduces a different subject or a strong contrast. This is a strict rule in French.
24
Examples:
25
J'aime la France, mais je n'aime pas le froid. (I like France, but I don't like the cold.)
26
Il est intelligent, mais il est paresseux. (He is intelligent, but he is lazy.)
27
Nous voulons partir, mais il pleut. (We want to leave, but it's raining.)
28
Donc (so, therefore)
29
Function: Expresses a consequence, result, or conclusion derived from a preceding statement.
30
Pattern: Clause 1, donc Clause 2. It can also appear at the beginning of the second clause: Clause 1. Donc, Clause 2.
31
Punctuation: A comma often precedes donc when connecting clauses, similar to mais and car.
32
Examples:
33
J'ai faim, donc je mange. (I am hungry, so I eat.)
34
Il est tard, donc je dois partir. (It is late, therefore I must leave.)
35
Nous n'avons pas d'argent. Donc, nous ne pouvons pas acheter ça. (We don't have money. So, we cannot buy that.)
36
Car (because, for)
37
Function: Provides a reason or explanation for the preceding statement. It is similar to parce que but is generally considered more formal, often used in writing or more structured speech.
38
Pattern: Clause 1, car Clause 2.
39
Punctuation: A comma typically precedes car when connecting two clauses.
40
Examples:
41
Je ne peux pas venir, car je suis malade. (I cannot come, because I am sick.)
42
Elle est heureuse, car elle a réussi son examen. (She is happy, for she passed her exam.)
43
Il étudie beaucoup, car il veut être médecin. (He studies a lot, because he wants to be a doctor.)
44
Ni... ni... (neither... nor...)
45
Function: Used in negative constructions to negate two or more elements. It always appears in conjunction with the negative particle ne before the verb.
46
Pattern: Ne + verb + ni Element A ni Element B.
47
Punctuation: No commas are typically used between ni and the elements.
48
Examples:
49
Je ne bois ni café ni thé. (I drink neither coffee nor tea.)
50
Il n'aime ni le froid ni la pluie. (He likes neither the cold nor the rain.)
51
Nous ne parlons ni anglais ni allemand. (We speak neither English nor German.)
52
Here is a summary table for quick reference:
53
| Conjunction | Meaning | Function | Example (A1) |
54
| :---------- | :--------- | :----------------------------------- | :-------------------------------------------------- |
55
| et | and | Addition, linking elements | J'aime le chocolat et les fruits. |
56
| ou | or | Choice, alternative | Tu préfères la mer ou la montagne ? |
57
| mais | but | Opposition, contrast | Il est petit, mais il est fort. |
58
| donc | so, therefore| Consequence, conclusion | J'ai sommeil, donc je vais dormir. |
59
| car | because, for| Reason, explanation (formal) | Je reste à la maison, car je travaille. |
60
| ni... ni...| neither... nor...| Multiple negation (with ne) | Je ne mange ni viande ni poisson. |

When To Use It

Conjunctions are deployed every time you need to move beyond simple, declarative sentences, allowing you to connect thoughts logically and express nuanced relationships between ideas. Their use makes your French sound more natural and sophisticated, even at the A1 level.
  • To Add Information or List Items ( et ): Use et when you want to combine two nouns, adjectives, verbs, or clauses without implying a choice or opposition. This is your most basic connector for accumulation.
  • J'ai un chien et un chat. (I have a dog and a cat.)
  • Elle est belle et intelligente. (She is beautiful and intelligent.)
  • To Offer Choices or Alternatives ( ou ): Ou is essential for presenting options, whether in a question or a statement.
  • Tu veux payer par carte ou en espèces ? (Do you want to pay by card or in cash?)
  • Nous pouvons regarder un film ou lire un livre. (We can watch a movie or read a book.)
  • To Express Opposition or Contrast ( mais ): When you need to introduce a conflicting idea or a reservation, mais is the appropriate conjunction. Remember the comma before it when connecting two full clauses.
  • Le temps est beau, mais il fait frais. (The weather is nice, but it's cool.)
  • J'aimerais venir, mais je ne suis pas libre. (I would like to come, but I am not free.)
  • To State a Consequence or Conclusion ( donc ): Use donc to show that one action or state logically leads to another. It implies a cause-and-effect relationship.
  • J'ai beaucoup étudié, donc j'ai bien réussi mon examen. (I studied a lot, so I passed my exam well.)
  • Il est malade, donc il ne va pas à l'école. (He is sick, so he is not going to school.)
  • To Give a Reason or Explanation ( car ): While parce que is more common in spoken French for giving reasons, car is often encountered in written French or formal speech. It directly precedes the reason.
  • Elle est fatiguée, car elle n'a pas dormi. (She is tired, because she didn't sleep.)
  • Il a froid, car il n'a pas de manteau. (He is cold, for he has no coat.)
  • To Negate Multiple Elements ( ni... ni... ): This structure is vital for negating two or more things simultaneously. It requires the ne particle before the verb, reflecting its negative function.
  • Je ne veux ni eau ni jus. (I want neither water nor juice.)
  • Elle n'étudie ni le français ni l'espagnol. (She studies neither French nor Spanish.)
Conjunctions allow you to narrate events, justify actions, and present alternatives, enriching your communication from the very beginning of your French learning journey. French speakers frequently use alors as a more colloquial alternative to donc when expressing a consequence, especially at the beginning of a sentence or to mark a transition in thought. While donc implies a more direct and logical conclusion, alors can introduce a consequence or simply mean

Basic Coordinating Conjunctions

Conjunction English Usage Example
et
and
Addition
Pomme et poire
mais
but
Contrast
Petit mais fort
ou
or
Choice
Café ou thé
donc
so/therefore
Result
Il est tard, donc je pars
car
because
Reason
Je mange car j'ai faim
ni
nor
Negation
Ni l'un ni l'autre

Meanings

Coordinating conjunctions are small words used to join two words, phrases, or clauses of equal importance.

1

Addition

Adding information or items together.

“Je parle français et anglais.”

“Il est grand et fort.”

2

Contrast

Introducing an opposing idea.

“Il est riche, mais il est triste.”

“J'aime le sport, mais je n'aime pas le foot.”

3

Choice

Indicating an alternative.

“Tu veux du vin ou de la bière ?”

“On va au cinéma ou au restaurant ?”

Reference Table

Reference table for French Conjunctions: Linking words like 'and' & 'but' (Les conjonctions)
Form Structure Example
Affirmative
A + et + B
J'aime le pain et le fromage.
Contrast
A + mais + B
Il est riche mais malheureux.
Choice
A + ou + B
Tu veux du vin ou de la bière ?
Result
A + donc + B
Il pleut donc je prends un parapluie.
Reason
A + car + B
Je reste car il fait froid.
Negation
ni... ni...
Je ne veux ni sucre ni lait.

Formality Spectrum

Formal
J'apprécie le café ainsi que le thé.

J'apprécie le café ainsi que le thé. (General preference)

Neutral
J'aime le café et le thé.

J'aime le café et le thé. (General preference)

Informal
J'aime le café et le thé.

J'aime le café et le thé. (General preference)

Slang
J'aime le café et le thé.

J'aime le café et le thé. (General preference)

Conjunctions Map

Conjunctions

Addition

  • et and

Contrast

  • mais but

Choice

  • ou or
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Examples by Level

1

J'aime le chocolat et la vanille.

I like chocolate and vanilla.

2

Tu veux de l'eau ou du jus ?

Do you want water or juice?

3

Il est gentil, mais il est timide.

He is kind, but he is shy.

4

Je travaille et j'étudie.

I work and I study.

1

Je voudrais sortir, mais je dois travailler.

I would like to go out, but I have to work.

2

Est-ce que tu préfères le cinéma ou le théâtre ?

Do you prefer the cinema or the theater?

3

Elle est intelligente et très drôle.

She is intelligent and very funny.

4

Il fait froid, mais il y a du soleil.

It is cold, but it is sunny.

1

Il a oublié ses clés, donc il ne peut pas entrer.

He forgot his keys, so he cannot enter.

2

Je ne veux ni café ni thé.

I want neither coffee nor tea.

3

Il est parti car il était fatigué.

He left because he was tired.

4

C'est une idée intéressante, mais difficile à réaliser.

It's an interesting idea, but difficult to realize.

1

Le projet est ambitieux, néanmoins il est réalisable.

The project is ambitious, nevertheless it is achievable.

2

Soit tu viens avec nous, soit tu restes ici.

Either you come with us, or you stay here.

3

Il a réussi son examen, par conséquent il est très heureux.

He passed his exam, consequently he is very happy.

4

Elle est non seulement talentueuse, mais aussi travailleuse.

She is not only talented, but also hardworking.

1

Il n'a pas seulement échoué, il a également aggravé la situation.

He didn't just fail, he also worsened the situation.

2

Certes, c'est vrai, toutefois cela reste discutable.

Admittedly, it is true, however it remains debatable.

3

Il agit ainsi, or personne ne comprend ses motivations.

He acts this way, yet no one understands his motivations.

4

Que ce soit par choix ou par nécessité, il a changé de vie.

Whether by choice or by necessity, he changed his life.

1

Il est, pour ainsi dire, le pilier de cette institution.

He is, so to speak, the pillar of this institution.

2

Nonobstant les difficultés, ils ont persévéré.

Notwithstanding the difficulties, they persevered.

3

Il ne s'agit point d'une erreur, mais d'un choix délibéré.

It is not at all an error, but a deliberate choice.

4

Vouloir, c'est pouvoir, et pourtant il n'a rien fait.

To want is to be able, and yet he did nothing.

Easily Confused

French Conjunctions: Linking words like 'and' & 'but' (Les conjonctions) vs Ou vs Où

They sound identical to many learners.

French Conjunctions: Linking words like 'and' & 'but' (Les conjonctions) vs Mais vs Mes

They sound identical.

French Conjunctions: Linking words like 'and' & 'but' (Les conjonctions) vs Et vs Est

They sound identical.

Common Mistakes

✗

J'aime le café, et le thé.

✓

J'aime le café et le thé.

No comma is needed before 'et' in this context.
✗

Je veux le café ou le thé ?

✓

Tu veux du café ou du thé ?

Use 'du' for partitive, not 'le'.
✗

Il est grand mais il est gentil.

✓

Il est grand et gentil.

Don't use 'mais' if there is no contrast.
✗

Je veux ou café.

✓

Je veux du café ou du thé.

Conjunctions connect two items, not just one.
✗

Je suis fatigué ou je travaille.

✓

Je suis fatigué mais je travaille.

Use 'mais' for contrast, not 'ou'.
✗

Il est riche, par contre il est triste.

✓

Il est riche, mais il est triste.

'Mais' is a conjunction; 'par contre' is an adverbial phrase.
✗

Je veux ni café, ni thé.

✓

Je ne veux ni café ni thé.

Negation requires 'ne' before the verb.
✗

Je mange car j'ai faim.

✓

Je mange parce que j'ai faim.

'Car' is formal; 'parce que' is better for daily speech.
✗

Il est donc parti.

✓

Il est parti, donc il est parti.

Placement of 'donc' can be tricky.
✗

Ni il mange, ni il boit.

✓

Il ne mange ni ne boit.

Structure of 'ni... ni...' is specific.
✗

Nonobstant, il a réussi.

✓

Nonobstant les difficultés, il a réussi.

'Nonobstant' is a preposition, not a conjunction.
✗

Il est, or, très intelligent.

✓

Il est, or, très intelligent (context dependent).

'Or' is a logical connector, not a filler.
✗

Soit il vient, ou il part.

✓

Soit il vient, soit il part.

'Soit' requires 'soit' again, not 'ou'.

Sentence Patterns

J'aime le ___ et le ___.

C'est ___, mais c'est ___.

Tu veux ___ ou ___ ?

Je suis ___, donc je ___.

Real World Usage

Texting constant

Je suis là et j'attends.

Ordering food very common

Un café ou un thé ?

Job interview common

Je suis motivé, mais j'ai besoin de formation.

Travel common

C'est loin ou c'est près ?

Social media constant

C'est beau et c'est gratuit !

Emailing common

Je vous remercie et je reste à votre disposition.

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💡

Don't over-comma

In French, we don't put a comma before 'et' or 'ou' unless the list is very long.
⚠️

Ou vs Où

Always check for the accent. 'Où' is for location, 'ou' is for choice.
🎯

Use 'donc' for flow

Using 'donc' makes your sentences sound much more logical and native.
💬

Formal vs Informal

Use 'car' in writing, but 'parce que' in speech.

Smart Tips

Use 'et' for positive additions and 'mais' for contrast.

Il est riche. Il est triste. → Il est riche, mais il est triste.

Always use 'ou' to present alternatives.

Tu veux café ? Tu veux thé ? → Tu veux du café ou du thé ?

Use 'donc' to show cause and effect.

J'ai faim. Je mange. → J'ai faim, donc je mange.

Use 'ni... ni...' for multiple negative items.

Je ne veux pas de café. Je ne veux pas de thé. → Je ne veux ni café ni thé.

Pronunciation

/e/

Et

Pronounced like 'ay' (the 't' is silent).

/mɛ/

Mais

Pronounced like 'may' (the 's' is silent).

/u/

Ou

Pronounced like 'oo' (the 'u' is silent).

Rising intonation

Tu veux du café ou du thé ↗?

Used for questions.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Remember the 'M.E.O.' rule: Mais (but), Et (and), Ou (or).

Visual Association

Imagine a bridge connecting two islands. The bridge is labeled 'ET', a wall blocking a path is 'MAIS', and a fork in the road is 'OU'.

Rhyme

Pour ajouter, dis 'et', pour contraster, 'mais', pour choisir, 'ou', c'est tout !

Story

Pierre wanted coffee. He asked for 'café et sucre'. The waiter said 'mais' we have no sugar. Pierre said 'café ou thé' then.

Word Web

etmaisoudonccarnioralors

Challenge

Write 5 sentences about your breakfast using 'et', 'mais', and 'ou'.

Cultural Notes

French speakers value logical connectors in speech. Using 'donc' or 'alors' helps structure your thoughts clearly.

In Quebec, you might hear 'pis' used as a very informal version of 'et'.

In some West African French dialects, conjunctions are used with specific rhythmic patterns to emphasize the narrative.

Most French conjunctions come from Latin particles.

Conversation Starters

“

Tu préfères le café ou le thé ?

“

Tu aimes le sport et la musique ?

“

Tu es fatigué, mais tu veux sortir ?

“

Tu veux manger au restaurant ou cuisiner ?

Journal Prompts

Describe your favorite food using 'et'.
Describe a difficult day using 'mais'.
List three things you want to do this weekend using 'ou'.
Explain why you are learning French using 'car' or 'donc'.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

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Test Yourself

Fill in the blank with 'et', 'mais', or 'ou'.

J'aime le chocolat ___ la vanille.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: et
Addition requires 'et'.
Choose the correct conjunction. Multiple Choice

Il est riche, ___ il est triste.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: mais
Contrast requires 'mais'.
Correct the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Je veux le café ou le thé ?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Je veux du café ou du thé ?
Use partitive 'du' for drinks.
Combine the sentences. Sentence Transformation

Il est grand. Il est fort. ->

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Il est grand et fort.
Addition is the best fit.
Is this rule true? True False Rule

Conjunctions change form based on gender.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: False
Conjunctions are invariant.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: Tu veux sortir ? B: Oui, ___ il pleut.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: mais
Contrast is implied.
Order the words. Sentence Building

et / je / mange / bois / je

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Je mange et je bois.
Standard subject-verb-conjunction structure.
Match the conjunction to its meaning. Match Pairs

Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 1-and, 2-but, 3-or
Basic definitions.

Score: /8

Practice Exercises

8 exercises
Fill in the blank with 'et', 'mais', or 'ou'.

J'aime le chocolat ___ la vanille.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: et
Addition requires 'et'.
Choose the correct conjunction. Multiple Choice

Il est riche, ___ il est triste.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: mais
Contrast requires 'mais'.
Correct the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Je veux le café ou le thé ?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Je veux du café ou du thé ?
Use partitive 'du' for drinks.
Combine the sentences. Sentence Transformation

Il est grand. Il est fort. ->

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Il est grand et fort.
Addition is the best fit.
Is this rule true? True False Rule

Conjunctions change form based on gender.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: False
Conjunctions are invariant.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: Tu veux sortir ? B: Oui, ___ il pleut.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: mais
Contrast is implied.
Order the words. Sentence Building

et / je / mange / bois / je

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Je mange et je bois.
Standard subject-verb-conjunction structure.
Match the conjunction to its meaning. Match Pairs

1. et, 2. mais, 3. ou

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 1-and, 2-but, 3-or
Basic definitions.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

10 exercises
Fill in the blank Fill in the Blank

Je cherche mes clés ___ mon portefeuille.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: et
Find and fix the mistake Error Correction

Il pleut ou je prends mon parapluie.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Il pleut donc je prends mon parapluie.
Put the words in the correct order Sentence Reorder

pizza / Je / mais / aime / la / déteste / les / olives / je

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: J'aime la pizza mais je déteste les olives.
Translate to French Translation

I study because I have an exam.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: J'étudie car j'ai un examen.
Which conjunction fits best for a sequence? Multiple Choice

Je me douche, ___ je m'habille.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: puis
Match the conjunction to its English meaning Match Pairs

Match the following:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: et : and, mais : but, ou : or, donc : so
Fill in the blank with 'ni' Fill in the Blank

Il ne veut ___ viande ___ poisson.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ni / ni
Fix the sentence Error Correction

Je suis fatigué car je n'ai pas dormi.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Je suis fatigué car je n'ai pas dormi.
Translate: 'Tea or coffee?' Translation

Tea or coffee?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Thé ou café ?
Which sentence makes the most sense? Multiple Choice

Choose the logical sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: J'ai faim, donc je mange.

Score: /10

FAQ (8)

Yes, it is common to use a comma before 'mais' to emphasize the contrast.

In formal writing, it is discouraged, but in speech and informal writing, it is very common.

Yes, it indicates an alternative.

It is a literary conjunction. Use 'parce que' for everyday conversation.

'Donc' is more logical/conclusive; 'alors' is more temporal/conversational.

No, they are invariant.

Yes, absolutely: 'Je chante et je danse'.

Use 'ni... ni...'. Example: 'Je ne veux ni café ni thé'.

Scaffolded Practice

1

1

2

2

3

3

4

4

Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

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In Other Languages

Spanish high

y, pero, o

Spanish 'y' changes to 'e' before 'i' sounds, unlike French 'et'.

German moderate

und, aber, oder

German conjunctions often trigger verb-second word order.

Japanese low

to, demo, ka

Japanese is agglutinative and places particles after the noun.

Arabic moderate

wa, lakin, aw

Arabic 'wa' is often attached as a prefix to the next word.

Chinese low

hé, dànshì, huòzhě

Chinese conjunctions are often optional in casual speech.

English high

and, but, or

French conjunctions are invariant, while English has no gender/number to worry about anyway.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Previous
French Time Prepositions: When to use à, en, and dans

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