| French Pronoun | Example (parler) | English Example | Usage Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| je | je parlerais | I would speak | Expresses a hypothetical action or polite request. |
| tu | tu parlerais | you would speak | Similar use for "you" singular. |
| il/elle/on | elle parlerait | she would speak | Indicates what "she" would do in a hypothetical situation. |
| nous | nous parlerions | we would speak | Expresses a conditional action for "we." |
| vous | vous parleriez | you would speak | Formal or plural "you." |
| ils/elles | ils parleraient | they would speak | Hypothetical or polite reference to "they." |
irregular verbs, example of manger (future stem as manger-)
| French Pronoun | Example (manger) | English Example | Usage Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| je | je mangerais | I would eat | Hypothetical or polite request related to eating. |
| ils | ils mangeraient | they would eat | Conditional scenario involving "they." |
irregular verbs, example of aller (future stem ir-)
| French Pronoun | Example (aller) | English Example | Usage Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| je | j’irais | I would go | Expresses a hypothetical trip or polite suggestion to go. |
| nous | nous irions | we would go | Conditional action involving "we." |
irregular verbs, example of être (future stem ser-)
| French Pronoun | Example (être) | English Example | Usage Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| elle | elle serait | she would be | Hypothetical state or polite description. |
| vous | vous seriez | you would be | Conditional or polite statement. |
irregular verbs, example of avoir (future stem aur-)
| French Pronoun | Example (avoir) | English Example | Usage Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| j’ | j’aurais | I would have | Expresses a condition involving possession or need. |
| ils | ils auraient | they would have | Hypothetical situation requiring "they" to have something. |
irregular verbs, example of faire (future stem fer-)
| French Pronoun | Example (faire) | English Example | Usage Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| tu | tu ferais | you would do/make | Suggestion or hypothetical action. |
| nous | nous ferions | we would do/make | Conditional action involving "we." |
You (singular) would do the homework.
tu ferais les devoirs.
'Faire' uses the stem 'fer-' in the conditional. 'Tu ferais' combines this stem with the imperfect ending '-ais.'
irregular verbs, example of venir (future stem viendr-)
| French Pronoun | Example (venir) | English Example | Usage Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| elle | elle viendrait | she would come | Hypothetical visit or polite invitation. |
| vous | vous viendriez | you would come | Formal or plural conditional scenario. |
She would come to the party.
elle viendrait à la fête.
'Venir' uses the stem 'viendr-' in the conditional: add the imperfect ending '-ait' for 'elle viendrait.'
irregular verbs, example of voir (future stem verr-)
| French Pronoun | Example (voir) | English Example | Usage Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| je | je verrais | I would see | Hypothetical perception or polite suggestion. |
| ils | ils verraient | they would see | Conditional observation by "they." |
irregular verbs, example of pouvoir (future stem pourr-)
| French Pronoun | Example (pouvoir) | English Example | Usage Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| tu | tu pourrais | you could | Polite request or hypothetical ability. |
| nous | nous pourrions | we could | Conditional possibility involving "we." |
irregular verbs, example of vouloir (future stem voudr-)
| French Pronoun | Example (vouloir) | English Example | Usage Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| elles | elles voudraient | they would want | Polite expression of desire or hypothetical want. |
The present conditional is often introduced with
- si (if) + imperfect in the other clause,
- or used to soften commands, make polite requests, or express wishes and hypothetical scenarios.
Flashcards (1 of 23)
- Example (parler): je parlerais
- Usage Context: Expresses a hypothetical action or polite request.
- English Example: I would speak
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
