FRENCH CONDITION

If... sentences (conditional) in FRENCH 

When si (if) is used in sentences of condition in French, the verb tenses change.  These sentences in French very 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.

Si vous venez, nous resterons.

If you come, we will stay.

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.

Si vous veniez, nous resterions.

If you came, we would stay.

3.  Si + pluperfect + past conditional
Si j'avais su, j'aurais compris.  If I had known, I would have understood.

Si vous étiez venu, nous serions restés.

If you had come, we would have stayed.

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")

Exercise: Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb in parentheses:

1. Elles y iront si elles ................... le temps. (avoir)

2. Si vous .......... à l'heure, je vous attendrai. (etre)

3. Je ............... s'il ne pleut pas. (partir)

4. S'il fait beau, nous .............. une promenade. (faire)