A paragraph flows when each sentence tells the reader how it relates to the one before. Connectors such as et, mais, parce que, donc, puis and ensuite show addition, contrast, reason, result and order. You need them in any writing task longer than a few lines.
This lesson comes after planning a response around the task: once you know what to say, you decide how the ideas link.
What does each connector do?
Think about the job each connector performs, not just its English translation.
| Job | Connector | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Add an idea | et | J’aime la musique et le sport. |
| Contrast | mais | J’aime les maths, mais la physique est difficile. |
| Give a reason | parce que, car | Je reste à la maison parce que j’ai un examen. |
| Show a result | donc | J’ai un examen, donc je reste à la maison. |
| Show order | d’abord, puis, ensuite, enfin | D’abord je mange, puis je révise. |
Parce que and donc point in opposite directions. The reason comes after parce que; the result comes after donc.
How do I join sentences step by step?
- Write your short sentences from the plan.
- Ask how each one relates to the last: same idea, opposite idea, reason, result, or next step in time.
- Choose the connector for that relationship.
- Check the word after it. Parce que needs a full clause with a subject and a verb.
- Vary the connectors so et does not carry the whole paragraph.
Worked example
Choppy draft:
Je vais au parc. J’aime le parc. Il y a un grand lac. Je ne nage pas. Je joue au football avec mes amis. Nous mangeons des glaces.
Step 1, relationships: sentence 2 gives a reason for sentence 1. Sentence 3 adds a detail. Sentence 4 contrasts with it. Sentences 5 and 6 are two steps in order.
Step 2, connectors: parce que for the reason, mais for the contrast, d’abord and puis for the order.
Step 3, joined:
Le samedi, je vais au parc parce que j’aime le grand lac, mais je ne nage pas. D’abord, je joue au football avec mes amis, puis nous mangeons des glaces.
Six sentences became two, and the reader can follow why each idea is there. Do not join everything into one long sentence, because two clear sentences are better than one confused one.
The mistake to watch for
A common slip is to follow parce que with a noun, as because of is followed by a noun in English.
Mistaken answer: J’aime le parc parce que le lac.
The writer meant “because of the lake”, but parce que needs a clause.
The correction is to add a subject and a verb: J’aime le parc parce qu’il y a un lac. Notice also that que becomes qu’ before il. If you want a noun after the connector, use a different structure, but a safe clause is the better choice in an exam.
Check yourself
Try these on paper, then open each answer.
1. Join with donc: Je suis fatigué. Je reste à la maison.
Show answer
Je suis fatigué, donc je reste à la maison. The first sentence is the cause and the second is the result.
2. Join with a connector of contrast: J’aime les maths. Je trouve la physique difficile.
Show answer
J’aime les maths, mais je trouve la physique difficile. Mais introduces the opposite idea.
3. Complete the sentence with a suitable connector: Je mange tôt ___ j’ai un cours à huit heures. Which one cannot be used: parce que, car or donc?
Show answer
Parce que and car both work, because the class at eight is the reason. Donc does not work here, because it would turn the reason into a result.
Where this leads next
Now that sentences link, the next lesson shows how to explain an opinion with a relevant reason. The integrated practice set later tests linking in full tasks. If your verbs still slip inside longer sentences, review present-time expression.
When connectors are the missing piece, a short session on your own paragraphs often shows the pattern fastest. That is how we work in online one-to-one French tuition.