The present tense follows si; it is the situation that is required before the other action will take place. The term "conditional" here refers to the condition being named; it does not mean that the conditional mood is necessarily used in the conditional sentence. In informal French, et si is often tacked on the beginning of a suggestion (with the verb in the imperfect): You can opt-out at any time. (You couldn't really hear the question)Si je veux quoi?You're asking if I want what? For more details, see our Privacy Policy. It's important to memorize the rules concerning the sequence of tenses. These verb pairings are very specific: for example, in the second conditional, you can only use the imperfect in the si clause and the conditional in the result clause. In the third conditional, the conditional mood is not used to name the condition itself, but rather the result. The French si, of course, means "if" in English. The French si, of course, means "if" in English. > If she saw you, she would help you. To form the third conditional, use si + pluperfect (to explain what would have had to occur) + conditional perfect (what would have been possible). Si clauses are divided into types based on the likeliness of what is stated in the result clause: what does, will, would, or would have happened if....The first verb form listed for each type names the condition upon which the result depends; the result is indicated by the second verb form. There are different types of si clauses, but they all have two things in common: The English result clause might be preceded by "then," but there is no equivalent word preceding the French result clause. These constructions are basically the same as above; the difference is that the condition is in the present perfect rather than the simple present. Si can be followed by a subjunctive clause to express a concession: Si means "yes" in response to a negative question or statement: If someone asks a question and you're not sure (or can't believe) you heard correctly, you can request confirmation or clarification by repeating what you did hear with the word si:Si j'ai faim? The term "conditional" here refers to the condition being named; it does not mean that the conditional mood is necessarily used in the conditional sentence. Si clauses or conditionals produce conditional sentences, with one clause stating a condition or possibility and a second clause naming a result produced by that condition. The first conditional refers to an if-then clause that names a likely situation and the result dependent upon it: something that happens or will happen if something else happens. The clauses can be in one of two orders: Either the si clause is followed by the result clause, or the result clause is followed by the si clause. Si = Did I Hear Correctly, Is This What You're Asking? ThoughtCo uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. Either way, si has several meanings and is used in numerous French constructions. In English, such sentences are called "if/then" constructions. / She would help you if she saw you. There are different types of si clauses, but they all have two things in common: The English result clause might be preceded by "then," but there is no equivalent word preceding the French result clause. The French word si can be an adverb or a conjunction. By using ThoughtCo, you accept our, 'Passé composé' + Present, Future, or Imperative, Si Clause Threads - Third Conditional: Pluperfect + Past Conditional, Si Clause Threads or First Conditional French Classroom Exercise, Si Clause Threads - Second Conditional: Imperfect + Conditional, 'Would Have' In French: That's the Past Conditional, French Tip: Always 'Si Vous Voulez.' (You didn't hear "how many," or you heard "Do you have 7 kids?"). Practicing the use of … The present tense follows si; it is the situation that is required before the other action becomes a command. (Fact: She doesn't see you so she isn't helping you [but if you get her attention, she will].). The conditional mood is not used in the first conditional. Si clauses in French are something that, when explained, appear to be a lot more complicated than they really are. Either way, si has several meanings and is used in numerous French constructions. The first conditional is formed with the present tense or present perfect in the si clause, and one of three verb forms—present, future, or imperative—in the result clause. In the second conditional, the conditional mood is not used to name the condition itself, but rather the result. Memorizing these pairings is probably the most difficult part of si clauses. (You're not sure you heard correctly; you heard "Do you want a free TV? si translation in French - English Reverso dictionary, see also 'SI',six',sis',ski', examples, definition, conjugation For the second conditional, use si + imperfect (stating the condition) + conditional (stating what would happen). There is no equivalent for "then" per se in French conditional sentences. Practicing the use of this word is important for grasping its nuances. French Negative Adverbs: How to Form Them, Everything You Need to Know About the French Adverb 'Comment', Si Clause Threads or First Conditional French Classroom Exercise, 'Je Suis Fini': Don't Make This Mistake in French, French Direct Objects and Direct Object Pronouns, Saying Yes in French With Oui, Ouais, Mouais, and Si, French Subjunctive - Le Subjonctif - Rules And Examples. The term "conditional" here refers to the condition being named, not the conditional mood. The term "conditional" here refers to the condition being named, not the conditional mood. This construction is used for things that happen regularly. Si clauses may also use the passé composé followed by the present, future, or imperative. The second conditional* expresses something that is contrary to present fact or unlikely to occur: something that would happen, if something else happened. Never 'Si Vous Voudriez", The French Past Perfect (Pluperfect): 'Le Plus-Que-Parfait'. As shown above, the conditional mood is not used in the first conditional, and even in the second and third conditional, the conditional mood does not name the condition, but rather the result. The present + future construction is used for events that are likely to occur. As with many concepts related to language learning, there are just some things that can be understood easily by the brain, but come with hard-to-understand explanations. Both work as long as the verb forms are paired correctly and si is placed in front of the condition. This construction is used to give an order, assuming that the condition is met. ")Si j'ai combien d'enfants?You're asking if I have how many kids? The third conditional* is a conditional sentence that expresses a hypothetical situation that is contrary to past fact: something that would have happened if something else had happened. The French word si can be an adverb or a conjunction. Si elle vous voyait, elle vous aiderait./ Elle vous aiderait si elle vous voyait. In literary or other very formal French, both verbs in the pluperfect + conditional perfect construction are replaced by the second form of the conditional perfect. The si in these sentences could probably be replaced by quand (when) with little or no difference in meaning. There is no equivalent for "then" per se in French conditional sentences. (Are you asking) if I'm hungry?