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Conditional clauses (les propositions conditionelles) are "if-sentences"; they express an action that can only take place if a certain condition is met. They are usually introduced by the connecting word si (if).
French conditional sentences use si-clauses in three types: Type 1 (real): Si + présent → futur (Si tu viens, je serai content). Type 2 (unlikely): Si + imparfait → conditionnel présent (Si j'étais riche, je voyagerais). Type 3 (impossible): Si + plus-que-parfait → conditionnel passé (Si j'avais su, je serais venu). Si never takes the futur or conditionnel.
Used for realistic possibilities that have a good chance of coming true (e.g., "Maybe I'll have time later").
Condition
Si + Présent
Result
Présent / Futur / Impératif
Si j'ai le temps, je t'aide.
Present: general truth
Si j'ai du temps cet après-midi, je t'aiderai.
Future: specific time
Si tu as faim, mange !
Imperative: command
Used to talk about a condition that is impossible in the present, or very unlikely in the future (e.g., "If I had time [but I don't]").
Condition
Si + Imparfait
Result
Conditionnel Présent
Si j'avais le temps, je t'aiderais.
For some reason, I don't/won't have time
Si j'étais riche, j'achèterais une grande maison.
Hypothetical present
Used to talk about an alternative past condition and its hypothetical outcome (e.g., "If I had had time [but I didn't]"). This imagines an alternative past that cannot be changed.
Condition
Si + Plus-que-parfait
Result
Conditionnel Passé
Si j'avais eu le temps, je t'aurais aidée.
Past hypothesis
S'il n'avait pas plu, nous serions sortis.
Past outcome changed
The 'i' in si drops and adds an apostrophe only before il or ils. It does not contract before elle or on.
Master the three types of conditional sentences in French through targeted drills.
Si tu étudies, tu réussiras l'examen.
If you study, you will pass the exam. (Type 1: present → future)
Si j'avais plus de temps, je voyagerais plus.
If I had more time, I would travel more. (Type 2: imperfect → conditional)
Si j'avais su, je serais venu plus tôt.
If I had known, I would have come earlier. (Type 3: pluperfect → past conditional)
Appelle-moi si tu as besoin d'aide.
Call me if you need help. (Type 1 with imperative)
Même si il pleut, nous sortirons.
Even if it rains, we'll go out.
Je le ferais si je pouvais, mais c'est impossible.
I would do it if I could, but it's impossible.
Si je serais riche, j'achèterais une maison.
Si j'étais riche, j'achèterais une maison.
SI NEVER takes the conditional or future tense. After si, use présent, imparfait, or plus-que-parfait — never conditionnel or futur. 'Si je serais' is the most common French learner error. The conditional goes in the MAIN clause, not the si-clause.
Si j'aurais de l'argent, je voyagerais.
Si j'avais de l'argent, je voyagerais.
Same rule — si never takes futur (j'aurai) or conditionnel (j'aurais). For hypothetical present: Si + imparfait → conditionnel présent. J'aurais belongs only in the result clause.
Si tu viendras demain, on ira au cinéma.
Si tu viens demain, on ira au cinéma.
For likely/real conditions, use Si + présent → futur simple. Never Si + futur. The sequence is: Si + présent → futur/présent/impératif. The si-clause stays in the present even though the meaning is future.
⏪ SI only goes BACK in time
Think of SI as a time machine that can only go BACKWARDS: it takes you to the présent (Type 1), imparfait (Type 2), or plus-que-parfait (Type 3). It NEVER travels forward into the futur or conditionnel. The result clause is where the future/conditional lives — si is the anchor in the past/present, the main clause is the rocket ship forward.
Si-clauses are tested at B1 and B2 in both TEF and TCF Expression Écrite. At B1, examiners expect correct Type 1 (Si + présent → futur) and Type 2 (Si + imparfait → conditionnel). At B2, Type 3 (Si + plus-que-parfait → conditionnel passé) is required. The 'si + conditionnel' error is one of the most heavily penalized grammar mistakes — it immediately signals A2 level.
Friends discussing hypothetical scenarios:
Si tu gagnais au loto, qu'est-ce que tu ferais ?
Si je gagnais, je voyagerais autour du monde. Et toi ?
Si j'avais su que la question était si facile, j'aurais préparé une meilleure réponse !
Haha ! Si tu continues à rêver, on va rater le film. Allez, on y va !
Master the 3 types of French si-clauses (present→future, imparfait→conditional, plus-que-parfait→past conditional) with 25 interactive questions on PrepMyFrench.
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