How to Use the French Present Conditional

How to Form the Present Conditional

The rule for forming the present conditional is simple: take the stem of the futur simple and add the endings of the imparfait (imperfect tense).

• Futur Simple Stem + Imparfait Endings

The imperfect endings are: -ais, -ais, -ait, -ions, -iez, -aient. For regular -er and -ir verbs, the future stem is just the infinitive. For -re verbs, you drop the final 'e' from the infinitive.

Irregular Verbs in the Conditional

If a verb is irregular in the futur simple, it uses the same irregular stem for the conditional. You just add the same imperfect endings. This is great news: you only have to learn one set of irregular stems for both tenses.

Use 1: Politeness

One of the most common and important uses of the conditional is to make polite requests and statements. Using the conditional instead of the present tense sounds much less demanding and more courteous.

• Je voudrais un croissant, s'il vous plaît. (I would like a croissant, please.)
• Pourriez-vous répéter la question ? (Could you repeat the question?)
• Nous aimerions réserver une table pour deux. (We would like to reserve a table for two.)

Using 'je veux' (I want) can sound abrupt or even rude in a shop or restaurant. 'Je voudrais' (I would like) is the standard polite form.

Use 2: Giving Advice

The conditional is perfect for giving advice or making suggestions without sounding too forceful. The verbs 'devoir' (to have to) and 'falloir' (to be necessary) are often used for this.

• Tu devrais te reposer un peu. (You should rest a little.)
• Il faudrait acheter du pain. (We/one should buy some bread.)
• À ta place, je ne ferais pas ça. (In your place, I wouldn't do that.)

Use 3: Making Hypotheses with 'Si'

The conditional is essential for talking about hypothetical or unreal situations. It appears in the main clause of a sentence that starts with 'si' (if). The structure is always the same: 'Si' + Imperfect, then Present Conditional.

• Si j'avais le temps, j'irais au cinéma. (If I had the time, I would go to the cinema.)
• S'il faisait beau, nous mangerions dehors. (If the weather were nice, we would eat outside.)
• Vous achèteriez cette maison si vous pouviez ? (Would you buy this house if you could?)

A very important rule: never use the conditional tense immediately after 'si'. A common mistake is saying 'Si je serais...', but the correct form is always 'Si j'étais...'.

Use 4: Unconfirmed Information and the Future in the Past

The conditional has two other specific uses. In journalism, it is used to report unconfirmed news, conveying a sense of 'reportedly' or 'allegedly'.

• Le suspect serait en fuite. (The suspect is reportedly on the run.)
• Le premier ministre annoncerait sa démission demain. (The prime minister will supposedly announce his resignation tomorrow.)

It is also used to express a future action from a past perspective, often in reported speech. It describes something that 'would happen' after a point in the past.

• Il a dit qu'il viendrait. (He said he would come.)
• Je savais que tu réussirais. (I knew you would succeed.)

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Pay close attention to these common pitfalls, especially the first one, which confuses many learners.

• Confusing Futur Simple and Conditionnel: For 'je', the spelling and pronunciation are different. 'Je parlerai' [par-ler-é] is the future ('I will speak'), while 'Je parlerais' [par-ler-è] is the conditional ('I would speak'). Notice the 's' at the end of the conditional form and the more open 'è' sound.
• Using the Conditional After 'Si': Never say 'Si je pourrais'. The correct structure requires the imperfect tense after 'si' in a hypothesis: 'Si je pouvais' (If I could).
• Mixing up Stems: Always use the future stem, not the present tense stem. For the verb 'finir', the conditional is 'je finirais', not 'je finisserais' (which comes from the 'nous finissons' present tense form).

Quick self-check

1. How do you conjugate the verb 'faire' in the conditional for 'nous'?

   Show answer

   Nous ferions (We would do/make).

2. Correct this common mistake: 'Si j'aurais de l'argent, j'achèterais une voiture.'

   Show answer

   The correct sentence is: 'Si j'avais de l'argent, j'achèterais une voiture.' (If I had money, I would buy a car.)

3. Translate 'She said she would be there' into French.

   Show answer

   Elle a dit qu'elle serait là.

4. What is the difference between 'je verrai' and 'je verrais'?

   Show answer

   'Je verrai' is the future tense (I will see), and 'je verrais' is the present conditional tense (I would see).

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