Les Propositions en Si — Hypothèses Réelles et Irréelles
Master all three si-clause types: Type 1 (présent → futur, real), Type 2 (imparfait → conditionnel, hypothetical), and Type 3 (plus-que-parfait → conditionnel passé, impossible past). Never use future or conditional after si.
A lesson of French B1 — Intermediate, in Subjonctif & Conditionnel, about 10 minutes.
By the end of this lesson, you will construct all three types of si-clause sentences correctly and distinguish real possibilities from hypothetical or impossible situations.
The Si-Clause System
French si (if) sentences have three distinct patterns, each expressing a different level of reality. The combination of tenses is fixed — unlike English, you cannot mix them freely.
| Type | Si-clause tense | Main clause tense | Reality level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type 1 | Présent | Futur simple | Real / likely |
| Type 2 | Imparfait | Conditionnel présent | Hypothetical / unlikely |
| Type 3 | Plus-que-parfait | Conditionnel passé | Impossible (past) |
Type 1 — Condition Réelle (Real Condition)
The speaker believes the condition is genuinely possible.
Si + présent → futur simple (or présent, or impératif)
Si tu étudies, tu réussiras. — If you study, you will succeed. Si elle arrive à l'heure, on part ensemble. — If she arrives on time, we leave together. Si vous avez des questions, posez-les. — If you have questions, ask them.
Note: Never use the future tense in the si-clause itself. Si tu étudieras is a classic error — always keep the present in the si-clause for Type 1.
Type 2 — Condition Hypothétique (Hypothetical Condition)
The speaker considers the condition unlikely, contrary to current reality, or purely imaginary.
Si + imparfait → conditionnel présent
Si j'avais le temps, je voyagerais plus. — If I had time, I would travel more. (I don't have time now.) Si elle était médecin, elle gagnerait bien. — If she were a doctor, she would earn well. (She is not.) — If we lived in Paris, we would go to the Louvre every week.