French Conditional Clauses (Si-Sentences)
Grammar_SentenceStructure_Conditional.intro_desc1
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'
Grammar_SentenceStructure_Conditional.note_desc
Practice French Si-Clauses
Master the three types of conditional sentences in French through targeted drills.