CONJUNCTIONS (e.g.: et, mais, ou)

Questions about Conjunctions

Q: Why is it elle est gentille and NOT elle et gentille?

The words et and est sound similar, but have very different meanings. The form et, which means "and", is used to join similar words (e.g.: Paul et Marie, Les enfants sont gentils et intelligents). As for the form est, it belongs to the verb être and means "is" (e.g.: Elle est gentille, Il est fatigué).

Q: Why is it je ne sais pas s'il vient and NOT je ne sais pas si il vient?

The combination si + il or ils always results in s'il(s).

Q: Why is it je sais qu'il m'aime and NOT je sais il m'aime?

You have to use que after verbs of opinion/belief. This is different from English since the word "that" is often deleted in this context.

Q: Why is it je ne sais pas si elle vient and NOT je ne sais pas s'elle vient?

The word si only changes to s' before il(s).