Substitute que

French substitute que
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Reprise par « que »

There’s a way to use the subordinating conjunction que that isn’t often taught in school: as a substitute for another conjunction. This usage is neither informal nor unusual, but it is limited to a specific construction and for a specific reason.

The substitute que is quite straightforward: when you have a sentence with two clauses that require the same subordinating conjunction, you can replace the second instance with que to avoid repetition.

Par exemple…

Comme il a menti et comme tu n’as rien dit …
  Comme il a menti et que tu n’as rien dit …

Since he lied and (since) you didn’t say anything …
 

Je vais promener la chienne s’il fait beau et si elle n’aboie pas trop.
  Je vais promener la chienne s’il fait beau et qu’elle n’aboie pas trop.

I’m going to walk the dog if the weather is nice and (if) she doesn’t bark too much.
 

Quand tu travailles mais quand tu es distrait …
  Quand tu travailles mais que tu es distrait …

When you’re working but (when) you are distracted …

 Note that the second instance of the subordinating conjunction is generally preceded by a coordinating conjunction (et, mais, ou).

Que can also replace a conjunctive phrase in this type of construction:

Par exemple…

Bien que tu aies faim et bien que tu sois fatigué …
  Bien que tu aies faim et que tu sois fatigué …

Even though you’re hungry and tired …
 

J’y irai à condition que je conduise et à condition que tu m’invites à déjeuner.
  J’y irai à condition que je conduise et que tu m’invites à déjeuner.

I’ll go on the condition that I drive and that you treat me to lunch.
 

Apporte ton mobile au cas où on se perdrait ou au cas où tu t’ennuyerais.
  Apporte ton mobile au cas où on se perdrait ou que tu t’ennuyerais.

Bring your phone in case we get lost or (in case) you get bored.

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Reprise par que - French subordinating conjunctions

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