French Conditional Clauses (Si-Sentences)
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).
Type 1: Real Condition (La condition réelle)
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
Type 2: Unreal Condition in the present (La condition irréelle dans le présent)
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
Type 3: Unreal condition in the past (La condition irréelle dans le passé)
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
Important Note on 'Si'
The 'i' in si drops and adds an apostrophe only before il or ils. It does not contract before elle or on.
Practice French Si-Clauses
Master the three types of conditional sentences in French through targeted drills.