Express real, hypothetical, and impossible conditions with the three si-clause patterns
Si + présent → présent / futur / impératif. Used for conditions that are real or likely.
| Si clause (condition) | Main clause (result) |
|---|---|
| Si tu travailles, | tu réussiras. (If you work, you will succeed.) |
| Si elle a faim, | elle mange quelque chose. (If she's hungry, she eats.) |
| Si vous avez des questions, | posez-les! (If you have questions, ask them!) |
Rule: Never use futur or conditionnel after si.
Si + imparfait → conditionnel présent. Used for hypothetical or unlikely situations (often translations of 'would').
| Si clause (imparfait) | Main clause (conditionnel) |
|---|---|
| Si j'avais de l'argent, | j'achèterais une voiture. (If I had money, I would buy a car.) |
| Si elle venait, | ce serait super. (If she came, it would be great.) |
| Si tu travaillais plus, | tu réussirais. (If you worked more, you would succeed.) |
Si + plus-que-parfait → conditionnel passé. Refers to the past — what would have happened if things had been different.
| Si clause (PQP) | Main clause (cond. passé) |
|---|---|
| Si j'avais travaillé, | j'aurais réussi. (If I had worked, I would have succeeded.) |
| Si elle était venue, | ça aurait été super. |
| Si tu n'avais pas menti, | tout aurait été différent. |
In ALL three types, the si clause NEVER contains a future or conditional tense. This is one of the most common errors in French.