The Conditional Flashcards
What is the english equivalent of the conditional?
In English, the conditional is a compound verb: would the infinitive. He would travel; we would go. It describes an action that depends on a condi- tion: He would travel if he had the time.
How do you conjugate the conditional
In French, the conditional (le conditionnel), like the future tense, is a simple (one-word) verb form. The endings -ais, -ais, -ait, -ions, -iez, and -aient are added to the infinitive. Also like the future, the final -e of -re verbs is dropped before the endings are added. The conditional endings are easy to learn, as they parallel the endings of the imparfait.
Conditional
Parler
Je parlerais Tu parlerais Il parlerait Nous parlerions Vous parleriez Ils parleraient
Conditional
Finir
Je finirais Tu finirais Il finirait Nous finirions Vous finiriez Ils finiraient
Conditional
Vendre
Je vendrais Tu vendrais Il vendrait Nous vendrions Vous vendriez Ils vendraient
Stems for conditional irregular verbs
See future tense list
Use of the conditional
- It expresses wishes or requests politely, and is in fact used far more often than the French imperative (command) forms.
- The present conditional of devoir (to have to, must) infinitive gives advice and recommendations.
- The conditional also expresses a future action as seen from a point in the past.
- As in English, the conditional in French is used in the main clause of sentences with si (if) clauses. Use the imparfait after si to express a hypothetical situation: Si j’avais le temps… (If I had time, . . .). Then, use the present conditional in the main clause to say what would happen if the condition of the si clause were met: … je lirais le journal tous les matins ( . . . I would read the paper every morning).
It expresses wishes or requests politely, and is in fact used far more often than the French imperative (command) forms.
Je voudrais deux cafés, s’il vous plaît.
I would like (May I have) two coffees, please.
It expresses wishes or requests politely, and is in fact used far more often than the French imperative (command) forms.
Pourriez-vous me dire où se trouve la pharmacie?
Could you tell me where the pharmacy is located?
The present conditional of devoir (to have to, must) infinitive gives advice and recommendations.
Vous devriez voir le nouveau film de Michel Gondry.
You should see Michel Gondry’s new movie
The conditional also expresses a future action as seen from a point in the past.
Je savais qu’elle y réussirait.
I knew she would pass it (the test).
The conditional also expresses a future action as seen from a point in the past.
Les Dubois m’ont dit qu’ils seraient en retard.
The Dubois told me they would be late.
As in English, the conditional in French is used in the main clause of sentences with si (if) clauses. Use the imparfait after si to express a hypothetical situation: Si j’avais le temps… (If I had time, . . .). Then, use the present conditional in the main clause to say what would happen if the condition of the si clause were met: … je lirais le journal tous les matins ( . . . I would read the paper every morning).
Si Marthe avait le temps, elle voyagerait plus.
If Marthe had time, she would travel more.
As in English, the conditional in French is used in the main clause of sentences with si (if) clauses. Use the imparfait after si to express a hypothetical situation: Si j’avais le temps… (If I had time, . . .). Then, use the present conditional in the main clause to say what would happen if the condition of the si clause were met: … je lirais le journal tous les matins ( . . . I would read the paper every morning).
Si je pouvais, je ferais la cuisine régulièrement.
If I could, I would cook regularly.
What is the pluperfect?
The pluperfect is a compound (two-word) tense. It conveys the English had done (something). It indicates a past action that occurred before another past action that may be either stated or implied.
