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Spoken Description

Explorez les situations hypothétiques en français: comprendre la voix, les temps et les modes (conditionnel, subjonctif), et les constructions avec si et inversions, avec des exemples clairs.

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Explore hypothetical situations in French: understand voice, tenses and moods (conditional, subjunctive), and constructions with si and inversions, with clear examples.

Hypothetical situations in French hinge on choosing the right conditional or subjunctive mood to signal what is possible, probable, or purely imagined. This guide covers key constructions and useful expressions for each type of scenario.

Conditional

The conditional mood expresses what would happen if certain conditions were met. Use the conditional tense for polite requests, advice, and for imagining outcomes that depend on an event. Formation is straightforward: start with the infinitive stem and add the imparfait endings.

Formation

The conditional tense uses the infinitive (or irregular stem) plus endings: -ais, -ais, -ait, -ions, -iez, -aient. This aligns with the imparfait endings so they are easy to remember.

	French Tense	English Tense
	Je parlerais	I would speak
	Tu finirais	You would finish
	Il vendrait	He would sell

Le temps du conditionnel utilise l’infinitif (ou le radical irrégulier) plus les terminaisons : -ais, -ais, -ait, -ions, -iez, -aient. Ces terminaisons correspondent à celles de l’imparfait, ce qui facilite leur mémorisation.

Fill in the BlankSi j'avais plus de temps, je(finir) ce projet rapidement.

If I had more time, I would finish this project quickly.

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Usage

Use the conditional for actions that are hypothetical but plausible, for polite or tentative language, and for reports of potential events. It often appears in the main clause when the condition is expressed in the "if" clause.

Employez le conditionnel pour des actions hypothétiques mais plausibles, pour un langage poli ou prudent, et pour rapporter des événements potentiels. Il apparaît souvent dans la proposition principale lorsque la condition est exprimée dans la proposition introduite par si.

In which situation would you use the conditional tense?

To make a polite request

To express a hypothetical outcome

To state a past completed action

To describe a physical location

Le mode conditionnel exprime ce qui se passerait si certaines conditions étaient réunies. Utilisez le conditionnel pour des demandes polies, des conseils, et pour imaginer des résultats dépendant d’un événement. La formation est simple : commencez par le radical à l’infinitif et ajoutez les terminaisons de l’imparfait.

Si Clauses

Si clauses set up conditions with si plus an indicative or subjunctive, and determine whether the main clause uses the conditional, the present, or another mood.

Si + Present

Use si + present to describe real or habitual conditions. The main clause can be in the present, future, or imperative for outcomes that are likely or routine.

Fill in the BlankSi tu(venir) ce soir, on(faire) la fête ensemble.

If you come tonight, we'll celebrate together.

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Si + Imparfait

Use si + imparfait to set up an unreal or unlikely condition in the past or present; the main clause typically uses the conditional to show what would happen if that condition were met.

Utilisez si + imparfait pour présumer une condition irréelle ou peu probable dans le passé ou le présent ; la proposition principale utilise généralement le conditionnel pour montrer ce qui se passerait si cette condition était remplie.

Fill in the BlankSi j'(être) riche, je(acheter) un billet pour le concert.

If I were rich, I would buy a ticket for the concert.

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Si + Plus-Que-Parfait

Use si + plus-que-parfait for counterfactual conditions in the past. The main clause uses the conditional passé to express what would have occurred if the past condition had been different.

Fill in the BlankSi j'(savoir) qu'il était là, je(venir) plus tôt.

If I had known he was there, I would have come earlier.

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Si Clauses Examples

Les propositions en si établissent des conditions avec si plus un mode indicatif ou subjonctif, et déterminent si la proposition principale utilise le conditionnel, le présent ou un autre mode.

Subjunctive

The subjunctive mood marks doubt, desire, necessity, or emotion, and appears after certain expressions and conjunctions. It drives hypothetical or subjective nuance rather than straightforward conditions.

Fill in the BlankIl faut que tu(aller) à la réunion demain.

It's necessary that you go to the meeting tomorrow.

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Expressions

Learn common expressions that trigger the subjunctive or that frame hypotheses and conditions; these set the tone for how tentative or certain the situation is.

Apprenez les expressions courantes qui déclenchent le subjonctif ou qui encadrent des hypothèses et conditions ; elles donnent le ton sur le degré de tentativité ou de certitude de la situation.

Summary

Hypothetical situations pivot on si clauses plus conditional or subjunctive: use the conditional for imagined results, the imparfait or plus-que-parfait for unreal conditions, and the subjunctive for doubts and desires. Practice the key tenses and signal expressions to shape nuance.

Hypothetical Situations

Conditional

Formation

Usage

Si Clauses

Si + Present

Si + Imparfait

Si + Plus-Que-Parfait

Si Clauses Examples

Subjunctive

Expressions

Summary

Suggested Reading