French si clauses
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Structures with Si are used to express an assumption, in other words to express conditions contrary to fact.
The sentence with si is a different clause and is always separated with a comma (,) with the main clause. There are formed as followed :
Si clause + main clause
The clause can also be switched in this case there is no need to add a comma:
Main clause + si clause
Examples:
- Si tu pars au marché, tu m'achèteras un peu de fruits. (If you go to the market, you will buy me some fruits)
- Tu m'achèteras un peu de fruits si tu pars au marché. (You will buy me some fruits some fruits if you go to the market)
Lesson outline
Hide- 1.The assumption in French
- 1.1.Examples
- 2.The Si clauses in the present
- 2.1.Examples
- 3.The Si clauses in the future
- 3.1.Expressing a fact
- 3.2.Expressing an advice or recommendation
- 3.3.Expressing a certainty
- 4.The Si clauses in the past
- 4.1.Examples
- 5.Exercises
- 5.1.Multiple choice questions about the si clauses in French
- 5.2.Fill in the blank exercise about the si clauses in French
- 5.3.Drag and drop exercise about the si clauses in French
The assumption in French
The si clauses can use 3 tenses in the French grammar : the present, the past and the future. And there is a definitive sequence of them to be followed.
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Examples
| Temps | Examples | Traductions |
|---|---|---|
| Présent | Si je gagnais au loto, je m'achèterais une voiture de course. | (If i won the lottery, I would buy a car race) |
| Passé | Si j'avais gagné au loto, j'aurais acheté une voiture de course. | (If I had won the lottery, I would have bought a car race) |
| Futur | Si je gagne au loto, j'achèterai une voiture de course. | (If I win the lottery, I will buy a car race) |
The Si clauses in the present
These clauses express a improbability with regard to the present or the future. The condition can only theocratically be met.
In general, you use it when you imagine something that cannot happen.
To make an assumption in the present, you use:
Si + imperfect + present conditional
Examples
| Si + imparfait | Conditionnel présent | Traductions |
|---|---|---|
| S'il faisait beau, | j'irais à la plage | (If it was sunny, I would go to the beach) |
| Si j'étais français, | je parlerais bien français | (If I was French, I would speak good French) |
To make a suggestion, you use si + imperfect
- Si on allait au cinéma ? (What if we go to the cinema ?)
- Si on préparait une tarte ? (What if we make a pie ?)
The Si clauses in the future
The clauses express a possibility with regard to the present or the future. In these cases, the condition is completely fulfilled.
To make an assumption in the future you use:
Si + present + future simple
| Si + présent | Futur | Traductions |
|---|---|---|
| Si je reviens à Paris, | j'irais au Ritz palace. | (If I come back to Paris, I will go to the Ritz) |
| Si je sors tôt, | je passerais chez toi. | (If I leave sooner, I'll come to see you) |
Si is never used after the future, do not confound the indirect speech that uses the future to the assumption that cannot use it.
- Elle lui demande si elle viendra avec nous. (She asks him if he will come with us)
- Je ne sais pas si je partirai. (I don't know if I'll come)
Expressing a fact
To express a fact, a generality, you use si + present + present
- Si on mange trop, on grossit. (If we eat too much, we take weight)
- Si je dors trop, j'ai mal à la tête. (If I sleep too much, I have a headache)
Expressing an advice or recommendation
To express an advice or recommendation, you use si + present + present imperative
- Si tu sors, mets ton manteau ! (If you go out, put a coat !)
- Si tu as des problèmes, appelle-moi ! (If you have any problem, call me !)
Expressing a certainty
When you want to express a certainty, you use quand + future simple
- Quand je reviendrai, j'irai à la tour Eiffel. (When I'll come back, I'll go to the Eiffel tower)
- Quand nous aurons nos notes, on partira en vacances. (When we will receive our marks, we will go on holidays)
The Si clauses in the past
These clauses express an impossibility with regard to the past. There is no way the condition can be met because the events are already over.
The assumption about the past most often expresses regret, something that is over, a situation where someone cannot go back.
To make an assumption in the past, you use:
Si + pluperfect + past conditional
Examples
| Si + plus-que-parfait | Conditionel passé | Traductions |
|---|---|---|
| Si j'avais passé mon bac, | j'aurais fait des études à l'université | (If I had done my A-level, I would have done studies at the university) |
| Si tu étais venue plus tôt, | tu aurais vu ton père | (If you had came sooner, you would have seen your father) |
Exercises
- Multiple choice questions about the si clauses in French
- Fill in the blank exercise about the si clauses in French
- Drag and drop exercise about the si clauses in French
Multiple choice questions about the si clauses in French
Fill in the blank exercise about the si clauses in French
Drag and drop exercise about the si clauses in French
Exercises
- Multiple choice questions about the si clauses in French
- Fill in the blank exercise about the si clauses in French
- Drag and drop exercise about the si clauses in French
Multiple choice questions about the si clauses in French
Fill in the blank exercise about the si clauses in French
Drag and drop exercise about the si clauses in French
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Bonjour! Veux-tu apprendre français? ou l'améliorer?
My classes are structured according to my students' needs, I use different teaching methods and I rely on listening each of my students' expectations and goals. Dynamism and constant learning are my purposes in my classes.
I have worked as a French teacher for more than ten years.
I have academic studies in English and French from Montréal, Canada, where I lived for several years. I have a Bachelor in Teaching French as a foreign language from the Université de Bourgogne.
I learned French at an early age in immersion in a French-speaking region and I studied French formally for 11 years, obtaining a native level.
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Native speaker from Paris with about 15 years of teaching experience. I’m well-travelled, and I’ve lived and worked in different parts of the world (Europe, Latin America, North America, Africa, Australia and a little bit in Asia).
I have a postgraduate degree (France) in Languages, Literature and Cultural Studies and I’m currently a freelance translator. I’ve previously worked at universities in France and abroad (South Africa/Australia) and have a solid experience in teaching (French Language, Literature, Philosophy, Cultural Studies, Creative Writing, etc.), designing courses, evaluating and guiding students, preparing students for exams/job interviews/professional presentations, managing a Language and Literature department at the university, presenting papers at academic conferences worldwide, publishing, translating and journalism. Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to teach people with different profiles and from various backgrounds: international professionals, university students, beginner translators and teachers, high school students, retirees, travellers, francophiles, children (help with homework), etc.
Being an open-minded, flexible and patient teacher, I enjoy helping others to discover their potential and to explore it. Adapting myself to my students' needs, pace and objectives is essential for me, and designing the best way to work with each student is very stimulating and rewarding.
After the initial introductory lesson, I will design customised lesson plans that will evolve as you progress. We can also, at any time during the programme, change our working method if you wish to do so. I remain very flexible in that regard.
The learning materials will be varied, and we will choose together the themes and aspects of French language to be covered, in line with your objectives. In any case, I am very attentive in general, so please don't hesitate to make any suggestions.
Regardless of your level and objectives, I'm sure that we can find the best way possible to share and enjoy this French language adventure together.
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It is a great experience to be a student of Priscilla. She is a very caring teacher, her lessons are engaging and she is a good communicator, very patient and encouraging.
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Hella is a very easy-going and open-minded person. She asked me to introduce myself and was in the process of determining my level of French, which was fine. Then she introduced herself and described her teaching model, which I found to be very sensible. We have also expressed the objectives. I believe I can reach them with Hella's help. Looking forward to our next lessons!
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Training is my passion. I like interacting with people. I am passionate about reading, watching movies, and music. I love to explore new places and have keen interest in arts and literature.I love meeting new people because every person is a whole new world you can learn from. I am also a keen reader and an enthusiastic traveller.
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