Conditional sentences with si

Kurz erklärt

French uses si (if) to introduce a condition. The tense in the si-clause shows whether the condition is realistic or hypothetical. For a real or possible condition, use the present tense after si. The result clause can use the present, future, or imperative. For an imagined or unlikely situation in the present, use the imperfect after si and the present conditional in the result clause.

Bildung

Real or possible: si + present, present/future/imperative. Hypothetical in the present: si + imperfect, present conditional. The two clauses can appear in either order.

Verwendung

• Use si + present for facts, habits, and conditions that may happen.
• Use si + imperfect for an imagined or unlikely present situation.
• Do not use the future or conditional directly after si in these patterns.
• When the si-clause comes second, no comma is normally needed.

Beispiele

• S’il pleut, nous resterons à la maison. — If it rains, we’ll stay home.
• Si tu as faim, prends un sandwich. — If you’re hungry, have a sandwich.
• Je t’appellerais si j’avais ton numéro. — I would call you if I had your number.
• Si nous habitions plus près, nous nous verrions plus souvent. — If we lived closer, we would see each other more often.

Typischer Fehler

❌ Si j’aurai le temps, je viendrai.

✅ Si j’ai le temps, je viendrai.

Unlike English, French does not use the future tense after si in a real future condition. Use the present in the si-clause and the future in the result clause.

Merke

After si, use the present for a real possibility and the imperfect for a present hypothesis. Never put the future or present conditional directly after si in these patterns.