Explaining Suggestions with Reasons

SECTION 1

Why Connectors Matter in French Communication

When you first started learning French, you probably made simple statements like J'aime le chocolat or gave basic commands like Mange tes légumes. These one-clause sentences get the job done, but real conversations require you to explain why you think something. Throughout the history of language education, teachers have recognized that the ability to connect ideas with reasoning is what separates a memorized phrase from genuine communication.

1600s

French Grammar Codified

The Académie française standardized French grammar, including the rules for conjunctions and connectors like parce que, donc, and mais that link clauses together.

1970s

Communicative Language Teaching

Language educators shifted from pure grammar drills to real-world communication tasks, emphasizing that learners need connectors to express opinions and give reasons in authentic conversations.

1990s

Proficiency-Based Standards

ACTFL proficiency guidelines established that moving from Novice to Intermediate level requires the ability to create sentences with connectors, not just isolated phrases.

2010s

Can-Do Statements

Modern curricula adopted "I can" statements like "I can explain a suggestion with a basic reason," making connector use a concrete, measurable skill.

The core question this lesson addresses is straightforward: how do you move beyond simple suggestions in French and start explaining why your idea makes sense? The answer lies in mastering three essential connectors — parce que (because), donc (so), and mais (but) — that allow you to build more complex, persuasive sentences.

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Core Principles: Suggestions & Connectors

Before you can attach a reason to a suggestion, you need to understand the two building blocks of this skill. First, you need a suggestion structure — a way to propose an action in French. Second, you need a connector that bridges your suggestion to the reason behind it. When these two elements combine, your French sounds more natural, more convincing, and more like a real conversation.

Making Suggestions

Use structures like On devrait + infinitif (We should…), Je suggère que… (I suggest that…), or Pourquoi pas + infinitif ? (Why not…?) to propose ideas.

Parce que (because)

Introduces the cause or reason for your suggestion. It always follows the suggestion and answers the question "why?" Example: On devrait étudier parce que l'examen est demain.

Donc (so / therefore)

Introduces the result or logical consequence. The reason comes first, and the suggestion follows. Example: Il fait beau, donc on devrait aller au parc.

Mais (but)

Introduces a contrast or an objection that leads to your suggestion. Example: Le restaurant est cher, mais la nourriture est excellente.

Sentence Flow

Each connector creates a different logical relationship: cause → parce que, result → donc, contrast → mais. Choosing the right one depends on the relationship between your suggestion and your reason.

✦ KEY TAKEAWAY

Think of connectors like bridges between two islands. Your suggestion sits on one island and your reason sits on the other. Parce que is a bridge that says "here's why," donc is a bridge that says "so here's what we should do," and mais is a bridge that says "however, consider this." Without these bridges, your ideas remain isolated and less convincing.

SECTION 3

How Connectors Link Ideas: A Visual Map

This diagram shows the three connector patterns. With parce que, the suggestion comes first and the cause follows. With donc, the cause comes first and the suggestion (result) follows. With mais, an objection leads to a contrasting counter-suggestion.

Notice how the direction of logic changes depending on the connector you choose. When you use parce que, you state your suggestion first and then justify it — this is the most common pattern in everyday French. When you use donc, you present the situation first and let your suggestion emerge as the logical conclusion, which can feel more persuasive. When you use mais, you acknowledge a drawback and then pivot to a suggestion that addresses it, showing you've thought through the problem.

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Sentence Structures in Detail

Sentence Formulas for Each Connector

Just as algebraic formulas help you solve math problems, sentence formulas help you construct correct French sentences. Below are the three core patterns you will use throughout this lesson and beyond. Each formula shows you exactly where the suggestion, the connector, and the reason go.

PARCE QUE PATTERN

[Suggestion] + parce que + [Reason/Cause]

[Suggestion] = a phrase proposing an action (e.g., On devrait étudier); [Reason/Cause] = a clause explaining why (e.g., l'examen est lundi).

DONC PATTERN

[Reason/Situation] + donc + [Suggestion/Result]

[Reason/Situation] = a statement of fact or observation (e.g., Il fait froid); [Suggestion/Result] = the logical action to take (e.g., on devrait porter un manteau).

MAIS PATTERN

[Statement A] + mais + [Contrasting Statement B / Suggestion]

[Statement A] = an initial observation, often a drawback (e.g., Le bus est lent); [Contrasting Statement B] = a positive counter-point or alternative suggestion (e.g., c'est moins cher).

⚠️ Watch Out!

In French, parce que is two words and becomes parce qu' before a vowel sound (elision). For example: parce qu'il fait chaud. Also note that donc is often placed after the subject in more formal French (on devrait donc…), but at this level, placing it between the two clauses is perfectly correct.

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Essential Suggestion Phrases & Connector Usage

To make compelling suggestions, you need a variety of suggestion starters in your toolkit. The table below organizes the most useful French suggestion phrases by formality level and shows how each can be paired with a connector. Having multiple ways to suggest things lets you adapt your tone to different situations — from casual conversations with friends to more polished discussions in class.

Common suggestion phrases paired with connectors

Suggestion Phrase	English Meaning	Example with Connector
On devrait + inf.	We should…	On devrait partir tôt parce qu'il y a du trafic.
On pourrait + inf.	We could…	On pourrait manger dehors parce qu'il fait beau.
Je propose de + inf.	I propose to…	Je propose de prendre le métro, mais c'est un peu loin.
Pourquoi pas + inf. ?	Why not…?	Pourquoi pas visiter le musée ? C'est gratuit donc on ne dépense rien.
Il vaut mieux + inf.	It's better to…	Il vaut mieux réviser ce soir parce que l'examen est demain.

Use this flowchart when constructing sentences: ask yourself what relationship you want to express between your suggestion and your reason, then pick the matching connector.

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Worked Example: Building a Complete Response

Imagine your French teacher asks: "Qu'est-ce qu'on devrait faire ce week-end pour pratiquer le français ?" ("What should we do this weekend to practice French?"). Let's walk through how to build a suggestion with a reason, step by step.

Responding to a Suggestion Prompt

Step 1 — Choose Your Suggestion PhrasePick a suggestion starter from your toolkit. Since we're talking to a group, On devrait (We should) is a natural and common choice.

On devrait…

Step 2 — Add the Action (Infinitive Verb)After On devrait, you add an infinitive verb describing what you want to do. Let's suggest watching a French movie: regarder un film français.

On devrait regarder un film français…

Step 3 — Select Your ConnectorAsk yourself: do I want to explain WHY (parce que), show a RESULT (donc), or add a CONTRAST (mais)? Since we want to explain why this is a good idea, we choose parce que. Because the next word starts with a consonant (c'est), we keep it as two full words.

…parce que…

Step 4 — State Your ReasonComplete the sentence with a simple reason. We'll say it's a fun way to learn vocabulary: c'est une façon amusante d'apprendre du vocabulaire.

On devrait regarder un film français parce que c'est une façon amusante d'apprendre du vocabulaire.

Step 5 — Expand with a Second Connector (Bonus)To make your response even stronger, add a second sentence using a different connector. For example, acknowledge a potential concern with mais: Le film est long, mais on peut le regarder en deux parties.

Complete response: "On devrait regarder un film français parce que c'est une façon amusante d'apprendre du vocabulaire. Le film est long, mais on peut le regarder en deux parties."

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Comparing the Three Connectors

Each connector gives your sentence a different flavor, and choosing the right one can change how your listener perceives your suggestion. The table below compares the three connectors across several dimensions to help you decide which one fits your communicative goal.

Side-by-side comparison of parce que, donc, and mais

Feature	Parce que	Donc	Mais
Meaning	because	so / therefore	but / however
Logical role	Explains the cause	Shows the result	Introduces contrast
Order of ideas	Suggestion → Reason	Reason → Suggestion	Statement → Counter-point
Tone / Effect	Direct justification	Logical, persuasive	Balanced, thoughtful
Common mistake	Forgetting elision (parce qu'il)	Confusing with alors (more informal)	Using mais to mean "and" instead of contrast
Strength	Most versatile; works in any context	Sounds naturally logical	Shows critical thinking

✦ KEY TAKEAWAY

Think of these three connectors like gears on a bicycle. Parce que is your reliable first gear — it works everywhere and is the most straightforward. Donc is your cruising gear — it lets your argument flow smoothly from observation to conclusion. Mais is your climbing gear — it lets you tackle objections and show nuance. Using all three in a conversation is like having the full range of gears: you can handle any communicative terrain.

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Connecting to More Advanced French

The three connectors you learned today — parce que, donc, mais — are the foundation, but French offers a much richer set of linking words as you advance. The table below previews more sophisticated connectors you'll encounter in French 3 and beyond. For now, mastering the big three will carry you a long way.

From basic to advanced connectors in French

Basic Connector (French 2)	Advanced Alternatives (French 3+)	Nuance Added
parce que (because)	car, puisque, étant donné que, comme	Car is more formal; puisque implies the reason is already known; comme places the reason first.
donc (so)	alors, par conséquent, c'est pourquoi, de ce fait	Alors is more casual; par conséquent and c'est pourquoi are more formal and emphatic.
mais (but)	cependant, pourtant, néanmoins, toutefois	These words all express contrast with greater formality and precision; pourtant adds a sense of surprise.

As you continue in your French studies, you'll also learn to combine suggestions with the subjunctive mood (e.g., Il faut que nous étudiions), which lets you express necessity, doubt, and emotion. You'll also encounter conditional sentences (e.g., Si on avait plus de temps, on pourrait visiter le Louvre), which add hypothetical reasoning. For now, building strong habits with parce que, donc, and mais gives you the base on which all of these advanced structures will rest.

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Practice Problems

PROBLEM 1 — CONCEPTUAL

What is the difference in meaning between parce que and donc? Explain when you would use each one, and give the English equivalents.

PROBLEM 2 — BASIC CALCULATION

Fill in the blank with the correct connector (parce que, donc, or mais): On devrait prendre le bus ______ c'est moins cher que le taxi.

PROBLEM 3 — INTERMEDIATE

Rewrite the following two simple sentences as one connected sentence using an appropriate connector: (1) Il pleut. (2) On pourrait aller au musée. Provide two versions: one with parce que and one with donc.

PROBLEM 4 — APPLIED

Your friend wants to eat at an expensive restaurant. You'd like to suggest a cheaper café instead. Write a response of 2–3 sentences in French that (a) acknowledges the restaurant is good using mais, (b) suggests the café, and (c) explains why with parce que or donc.

PROBLEM 5 — CRITICAL THINKING

Imagine you are planning a class trip with your French partner. Your partner suggests going to the beach, but you think the mountains would be better. Write a mini-dialogue (4–6 lines total) in French where you use all three connectors (parce que, donc, and mais) at least once each to make your case while responding respectfully to your partner's idea.

SUMMARY

Lesson Summary

In this lesson, you learned to move beyond simple suggestions in French by using three essential connectors to link your ideas with reasons. Parce que (because) follows your suggestion to explain the cause. Donc (so/therefore) comes after a reason and introduces the suggestion as a logical result. Mais (but) introduces a contrast, allowing you to acknowledge a drawback while pivoting to your suggestion.

You practiced pairing these connectors with key suggestion phrases like On devrait, On pourrait, Je propose de, Pourquoi pas, and Il vaut mieux. Remember the sentence formulas: Suggestion + parce que + Reason; Reason + donc + Suggestion; Statement + mais + Counter-point. Don't forget the elision rule — parce que becomes parce qu' before a vowel sound. Mastering these patterns will make your spoken French more persuasive, more fluent, and more engaging in real conversations.