What are Conditional Sentences?
Conditional sentences express what happens if a condition is met. In French, si-clauses set up the condition, and the result clause shows the outcome. There are three main types based on likelihood.
Conditional sentences join a condition (si + certain tense) with a result. Type 1 (real): si + present + future. Type 2 (unlikely): si + imparfait + conditional. Type 3 (impossible past): si + pluperfect + conditional perfect.
- 1↓Type 1: Likely (Real)si + present → future/present. Si tu travailles, tu réussiras.
- 2↓Type 2: Unlikely (Hypothetical)si + imparfait → conditional. Si tu travaillais, tu réussirais.
- 3Type 3: Impossible (Past)si + pluperfect → conditional perfect. Si tu avais travaillé, tu aurais réussi.
Step-by-step worked examples
Type 1 (likely): 'If you study, you will pass.' Write in French.
Si tu études, tu réussiras. si + present (études) + future (réussiras).
Type 2 (unlikely): 'If I were rich, I would buy a house.' Write in French.
Si j'étais riche, j'achèterais une maison. si + imparfait (étais) + conditional (achèterais).
Type 3 (past impossible): 'If they had arrived on time, they would have seen the start.' French?
S'ils étaient arrivés à l'heure, ils auraient vu le début. si + pluperfect (étaient arrivés) + conditional perfect (auraient vu).
Flashcards
Quick quiz
Q1.What verb tense follows 'si' in Type 1 conditionals?
Q2.Complete Type 2: 'Si j'avais du temps, je ___ un roman.'
Q3.Which Type 3 construction is correct?
Q4.Type 2 expresses which idea?
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Common mistakes
Using future in the si clause: 'Si tu iras, ...' — Correct: Never put future after si. Use: 'Si tu vas, tu apprendras.'
Mixing types: 'Si tu travaillais, tu réussiras.' (Type 2 tense + Type 1 result) — Correct: Keep types consistent. Type 2 → conditional: 'Si tu travaillais, tu réussirais.'
Using conditional in si clause: 'Si tu travaillerais, ...' — Correct: Conditional only in the result: 'Si tu travaillais, tu travaillerais mieux.'
Forgetting pluperfect in Type 3: 'Si tu arrivais tôt, tu aurais vu.' — Correct: Match Type 3 exactly: 'Si tu étais arrivé tôt, tu aurais vu.'
FAQ
What does each si-clause type express?
Type 1: real/likely (if you study, you pass). Type 2: hypothetical/unlikely (if you studied, you would pass). Type 3: impossible/past (if you had studied, you would have passed).
Is 'si' ever used with subjunctive?
No — si uses indicative (present, imparfait, pluperfect). Use 'à moins que' or 'pourvu que' for subjunctive.
How do you know which type to use?
Judge likelihood: real/likely → Type 1. Unlikely/imaginary → Type 2. Past impossible → Type 3.
Does word order matter: si clause first or result first?
Either order works. Si clause first needs a comma: 'Si tu viens, nous jouons.' No comma if it's second.