Propositions conditionnelles : Situations potentielles
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The first conditional is an if-then proposition that talks about a likely situation:
If something happens (the condition), then something else happens (the result).
The first conditional is constructed similarly in French and English and can be further divided into three subcategories:
- Si + present or passé composé, (then) present
- Si + present or passé composé, (then) future
- Si + present or passé composé, (then) imperative
The order of the clauses can be reversed with absolutely no change in meaning as long as si / "if" stays in front of the correct verb form.
| Present | + | si + present or passé composé |
| Future | + | si + present or passé composé |
| Imperative | + | si + present or passé composé |
Present / Passé composé + Present
This construction is useful for talking about things that happen as a rule or on a regular basis; indeed, si could be replaced by quand (when) without really changing the meaning.
| Le samedi, s’il fait beau, nous allons à la plage. | On Saturdays, if it’s nice out, we go to the beach. |
| Je suis grognon si je n’ai pas de café le matin. | I’m grouchy if I don’t have coffee in the morning. |
| Si tu as fait tes devoirs, tu peux sortir ce soir. | If you’ve done your homework, you can go out tonight. |
Present / Passé composé + Future
By using the future in the "then" clause, this variation states what will happen if a certain condition is met.
| S’il fait beau samedi, nous irons à la plage. | If it’s nice on (this) Saturday, we’ll go to the beach. |
| Je serai grognon si je n’ai pas de café ce matin. | I’ll be grouchy if I don’t have coffee this morning. |
| Si tu as fait tes devoirs, tu pourras sortir ce soir. | If you’ve done your homework, you’ll be able to go out tonight. |
Present / Passé composé + Imperative
You can also give a command based on a condition being met.
| S’il fait beau samedi, va à la plage. | If it’s nice on Saturday, go to the beach. | |
| Achète-moi un café si je suis grognon. | Buy me a coffee if I am grouchy. | |
| Si tu as fait tes devoirs, sors. | If you’ve done your homework, go out. |
Related lessons
French lesson plans
- Expressing a condition with “if” (Lesson, 10th-11th grade)
- Expressing a condition with “if” (Worksheet, 10th-11th grade)
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