The present conditional tense corresponds
to "would." It is used after the imperfect
in a conditional sentence. Most conditionals
sentences begin with si (if). Si
j'étais (imperfect) dans
une autre famille, est-ce que je serais
(conditional) plus heureuse? If
I were in another family, would I be happier?
However, do not confuse the conditional
would with the would that expresses
a repeated action in the past. If would
means used to, then the imperfect tense
is used. Quand nous étions (imperfect)
en vacances, nous dormions (imperfect)
jusqu'à midi. When we were on vacation,
we would (used to) sleep until noon.
To form, use the infinitive and add
the imperfect endings. But remember to drop
the -e on -re verbs.
| -ais |
-ions |
| -ais |
-iez |
| -ait |
-aient |
Also, you use the same irregular stems
and exceptions for the conditional that are used
for the future tense. You may have noticed
that the future and conditional forms for je
seem to be pronounced the same. Actually,
the future ending is pronounced ay and
the conditional like eh. However,
it is difficult to understand the differences
in spoken French and most people pronounce them
the same anyway.
The past conditional is formed by
using the conditional of avoir or être and a past
participle. It corresponds to "would have"
and is used in hypothetical sentences.
Il n'aurait jamais dit ça!
He would have never said that!
If... sentences
When si (if) is used in sentences
of condition, the verb tenses change. These
pretty much correspond to English usage.
1. Si + present tense + present,
imperative, or future
Si je suis fatiguée, je me repose. If I'm
tired, I rest.
Repose-toi si tu es fatigué. Rest if you're
tired.
Si je suis fatigué demain, je me reposerai. If
I am tired tomorrow, I will rest.
2. Si + imperfect + present
conditional
Si j'étais riche, je pourrais acheter un château.
If I were rich, I would buy a castle.
Il deviendrait roi s'il avait plus de courage.
He would become king if he had more courage.
3. Si + pluperfect + past
conditional
Si j'avais su, j'aurais compris. If I had
known, I would have understood.
It is possible to have past conditional
with the imperfect, and it is also possible to
have present conditional with pluperfect. However,
you can never have the future or conditional tenses
directly following si. They must be in the
other clause. (This is a rule in English
too... you can't say "If I will go tomorrow")
