French Si Clauses: Imparfait, Conditional, and Future

What do si clauses describe?

Si clauses describe a condition or event upon which another condition or event depends.

What is the structure of a si clause?

A si clause consists of a si clause and a main (or result) clause.

Example of a si clause in a contrary-to-fact situation.

Si j'étais au chômage, je lui enverrais mon CV. (If I were unemployed, I'd send her my résumé.)

What verb tense is used in the si clause for contrary-to-fact situations?

The verb in the si clause is in the imparfait.

What verb tense is used in the main clause for contrary-to-fact situations?

The verb in the main clause is in the conditional.

Example of a si clause expressing a likely condition.

Si le patron me renvoie, je trouverai un emploi à mi-temps. (If the boss fires me, I'll find a part-time job.)

What verb tense is used in the si clause for likely conditions?

The si clause is in the present.

What verb tense is used in the main clause for likely conditions?

The main clause uses the futur or futur proche.

How do si and ils contract?

Si and ils contract to become s'il and s'ils, respectively.

Example of a suggestion using a si clause.

Si nous faisions des projets pour le week-end? (What about making plans for the weekend?)

How can si clauses express wishes?

Use a si clause alone with the imparfait to make a suggestion or to express a wish.

Example of expressing a wish with a si clause.

Ah! Si elle obtenait un meilleur travail! (Oh! If only she got a better job!)

What is the meaning of 'Si vous aviez de l'argent'?

You would go on vacation often if you had money.

What is the meaning of 'Nous marcherions s'il ne pleuvait pas'?

We'd walk if it weren't raining.

What is the meaning of 'S'ils étaient forts en maths'?

If they were good at math, they'd become accountants.

How do you form a si clause for a contrary-to-fact situation?

Use the imparfait in the si clause and the conditional in the main clause.

How do you form a si clause for a likely situation?

Use the present tense in the si clause and the futur or futur proche in the main clause.

What is the role of si clauses in French?

Si clauses express conditions that affect the outcome of another event.