Hypotheses with si
When you talk about the future or imagine other possibilities, French uses three main si (if) structures. Each one places your hypothesis on a different rung: something likely to happen, something imaginary about now, and something impossible because the past is already over. Choosing the right one is exactly what an examiner listens for when you reason, plan or express regret.
| si | if |
| une hypothèse | a hypothesis |
| probable | likely, probable |
| à condition que | provided that |
| à ta place | if I were you (in your place) |
| le regret | regret |
| le reproche | reproach, blame |
| imaginer | to imagine |
| supposer | to suppose |
| au cas où | in case |
| sinon | otherwise, if not |
| peut-être | maybe |
Associez chaque élément français à sa traduction.
Match each French item to its English meaning.
Quel temps suit si dans une condition future probable ?
Which tense follows si in a likely future condition?
Complétez avec le présent de avoir.
Complete with the présent of avoir.
Si j' ____ le temps demain, je réviserai.
For a real, likely condition, put the verb after si in the présent, and the result in the futur (or présent, or imperative). This is the everyday hypothesis: it can still happen. Note: never put a futur or conditional directly after si.
Complétez avec l'imparfait de être.
Complete with the imparfait of être.
Si j' ____ riche, je voyagerais beaucoup.
Choisissez la proposition correcte.
Choose the correct clause.
Construisez la phrase : « Si tu réussis l'examen, on fête ça. »
Build the sentence: 'If you pass the exam, we'll celebrate.'
To imagine something that is unreal or unlikely now, use si + imparfait, then the conditionnel présent. This is the structure for dreams, advice and polite suggestions. Si j'étais riche (I'm not) signals a pure hypothesis about the present.
Traduisez en français (imaginaire au présent).
Translate into French (imaginary present).
If I had more time, I would travel.
Traduisez en français (un reproche sur le passé).
Translate into French (a reproach about the past).
If you had listened to me, you wouldn't have missed the train.
Écoutez et tapez la phrase que vous entendez.
Listen and type the sentence you hear.
To talk about the past as it did not happen, use si + plus-que-parfait, then the conditionnel passé. This is how French expresses regret (about yourself) and reproach (blaming someone). It is impossible to change: the past is closed.
Quelle phrase exprime un regret sur votre propre passé ?
Which sentence expresses a regret about your own past?
Complétez avec le conditionnel passé : auxiliaire + participe passé (eu).
Complete with the conditionnel passé of avoir + the past participle (got).
Si j'avais révisé, j' ____ une meilleure note.
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