Conjunctions

AQA

GCSE

Conjunctions function as the essential syntactic pivots within French grammar, determining the relationship between clauses and governing the grammatical mood (indicative, subjunctive, or conditional) of the subordinate verb. Mastery of these structures is critical for accessing higher mark bands in Writing (AO4) and Speaking (AO3), as they facilitate complex sentence structures, logical sequencing, and the expression of nuance such as concession, hypothesis, and causality. Candidates must distinguish between coordinating conjunctions, which link equal elements, and subordinating conjunctions, which introduce dependent clauses.

Objectives

Exam Tips

Pitfalls

Key Terms

Mark Points

What You Need to Demonstrate

Key skills and knowledge for this topic

Award marks for 'Range of Language' when candidates use varied linking words (e.g., 'en outre', 'par contre') rather than repeating 'et' or 'mais'
Credit the correct use of the subjunctive mood following specific conjunctions such as 'bien que', 'pour que', or 'avant que'
Assess syntax accuracy: specifically the position of the verb in relative clauses introduced by 'qui' or 'que'
Reward the use of 'si' clauses combined with correct tense sequencing (e.g., Si + imperfect + conditional) as evidence of complexity

Example Examiner Feedback

Real feedback patterns examiners use when marking

"You have relied heavily on 'et' and 'mais'; integrate 'cependant' or 'en outre' to improve your Range of Language mark"
"Excellent use of 'bien que', but you missed the required subjunctive verb form following it—this limits your Accuracy score"
"In your translation, you omitted the relative pronoun 'que'; remember it is mandatory in French even if omitted in English"
"You justified your opinion well using 'car', which adds variety compared to the standard 'parce que'"

Marking Points

Key points examiners look for in your answers

Award marks for 'Range of Language' when candidates use varied linking words (e.g., 'en outre', 'par contre') rather than repeating 'et' or 'mais'
Credit the correct use of the subjunctive mood following specific conjunctions such as 'bien que', 'pour que', or 'avant que'
Assess syntax accuracy: specifically the position of the verb in relative clauses introduced by 'qui' or 'que'
Reward the use of 'si' clauses combined with correct tense sequencing (e.g., Si + imperfect + conditional) as evidence of complexity

Examiner Tips

Expert advice for maximising your marks

💡In the 150-word writing task, deliberately plan two 'complex' conjunctions (e.g., 'tandis que') to satisfy the complexity criterion immediately
💡Use 'car' as a stylistic alternative to 'parce que' to demonstrate vocabulary range without risking grammatical complexity
💡When translating into French, identify implied English conjunctions and explicitly translate them (e.g., 'The man I saw' becomes 'L'homme QUE j'ai vu')
💡In Speaking (AO2), use 'donc' or 'alors' as fillers to maintain flow and fluency while thinking of the next clause

Common Mistakes

Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers

Confusing 'parce que' (conjunction) with 'à cause de' (preposition) when translating 'because of'
Omitting the relative pronoun 'que' in French because it is omitted in English (e.g., 'Le livre j'ai lu' instead of 'Le livre que j'ai lu')
Incorrect word order following 'aussi' when used at the start of a sentence (inversion error)
Failing to trigger the subjunctive after 'bien que', resulting in a minor error that caps the Accuracy mark

Key Terminology

Essential terms to know

Likely Command Words

How questions on this topic are typically asked

Ecrivez

Décrivez

Mentionnez

Traduisez

Ecoutez

Lisez

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