What Is the French Conditional?

The French Conditional: Everything You Need to Know

Many learners often wonder: What is the French conditional? How do I form it? When should I use it? What common mistakes should I avoid?
This guide answers all these questions and more, providing everything you need to know about the French conditional, including its forms, uses, exercises, and tips to help you master this essential tense.

What Is the French Conditional?

The conditional mood expresses an action that depends on a condition, whether real or imagined.
It often translates to “would” in English:

• Je voyagerais en France si j’avais plus de temps.
  → I would travel to France if I had more time.

It’s common in both spoken and written French because it allows speakers to soften statements, show politeness, and describe hypothetical situations.

How to Form the Present Conditional?

To form the present conditional in French, all you need to do is take the future stem of the verb, which is usually the infinitive for regular verbs or a special stem for irregular verbs, and then add the imperfect endings (-ais, -ais, -ait, -ions, -iez, -aient).

• Step 1: Identify the Future Stem
  To form the present conditional, the first step is to identify the future stem of the verb.
  For most regular verbs, this is simply the infinitive.
  For example, the future stem of parler is parler-, the future stem of finir is finir-, and the future stem of vendre is vendr-; for verbs ending in -re, you drop the final e, so vendre becomes vendr-.
  Irregular verbs, however, have special stems that must be memorized. For instance, avoir becomes aur-, être becomes ser-, aller becomes ir-, fairebecomes fer-, venir becomes viendr-, pouvoir becomes pourr-, vouloir becomes voudr-, savoir becomes saur-, and voir becomes verr-.
  
• Step 2: Add the Imperfect Endings
  Once you have the future stem, the next step is to add the imperfect endings.
  These endings are the same as those used in the imperfect tense: -ais, -ais, -ait, -ions, -iez, -aient.
• Step 3: Combine the Future Stem with the Imperfect Ending
  By combining the future stem with the imperfect endings, you create the present conditional.
  For example, with the regular verb parler (to speak), you get: je parlerais (I would speak), tu parlerais (you would speak), il/elle parlerait(he/she would speak), nous parlerions (we would speak), vous parleriez (you would speak, formal/plural), and ils/elles parleraient (they would speak).
• With finir (to finish), it becomes je finirais (I would finish) and tu finirais (you would finish), and with vendre (to sell), it is je vendrais (I would sell).
• For irregular verbs, the same process applies.
  For example, with avoir (to have), you get j’aurais (I would have) and tu aurais (you would have).
  With être (to be), it is je serais (I would be), with aller (to go) it becomes j’irais (I would go), and with faire (to do/make), it is je ferais (I would do / I would make).

How to use the French conditional?

The conditional mood (le conditionnel) expresses an action that is possible, hypothetical, polite, or dependent on another condition.
It can appear in the present (je parlerais) or past (j’aurais parlé).

1. Hypothetical “If” Clauses

Used for imagined or unlikely situations.

• Si + imparfait → conditionnel présent
  Si j’avais de l’argent, j’achèterais une maison.
  → If I had money, I would buy a house.
• Si + plus-que-parfait → conditionnel passé
  Si nous avions su, nous serions partis plus tôt.
  → If we had known, we would have left earlier.

2. Politeness / Softened Requests

Makes statements or questions more courteous.

• Je voudrais un café, s’il vous plaît. → I would like a coffee, please.
• Pourriez-vous m’aider ? → Could you help me?

3. Future in the Past (Reported Speech)

Indicates a future action as seen from the past.

• Direct: Elle a dit : « Je viendrai. »
• Indirect: Elle a dit qu’elle viendrait. → She said she would come.

4. Rumor or Unconfirmed Information

Expresses hearsay, speculation, or something not verified.

• Le président démissionnerait demain.
  → The president is said to resign tomorrow.

5. Advice or Suggestion

Often with devoir or pouvoir to mean “should” or “could.”

• Tu devrais étudier davantage. → You should study more.
• On pourrait aller au cinéma. → We could go to the movies.

6. Wish or Desire

Shows a polite or hypothetical wish.

• J’aimerais visiter le Japon. → I would like to visit Japan.
• Elle voudrait que tu viennes. → She would like you to come.

7. Probability or Supposition in the Past

Indicates something that was probably true.

• Il serait environ minuit quand ils sont partis.
  → It was probably around midnight when they left.
• Elle aurait oublié son téléphone.
  → She probably forgot her phone.

8. Polite Invitations or Gentle Commands

Used to extend a courteous invitation.

• Vous prendriez bien un dessert ? → Would you like a dessert?
• On irait se promener ? → Shall we go for a walk?

9. Imagery or Hypothetical Comparisons

Helps paint an imaginative or tentative picture.

• Ce château semblerait sorti d’un conte de fées.
  → This castle would seem straight out of a fairy tale.

10. Regret / Unrealized Action (Past Conditional)

Expresses something that would have happened but did not.

• J’aurais dû étudier davantage. → I should have studied more.
• Ils seraient venus si nous les avions invités.
  → They would have come if we had invited them.

How to form The Past Conditional?

Start with the conditional of the auxiliary verb—either avoir or être, depending on the main verb.
Use the present conditional form: j’aurais, tu aurais, il/elle aurait, nous aurions, vous auriez, ils/elles auraient (for avoir) or je serais, tu serais, il/elle serait, nous serions, vous seriez, ils/elles seraient (for être).

Add the past participle of the main verb.
For example, with parler the past participle is parlé, with finir it’s fini, and with aller it’s allé.

Make the auxiliary agree when necessary.
If the verb uses être (all reflexive verbs and most movement verbs like aller, venir, arriver), the past participle must agree in gender and number with the subject.

It expresses:

• Regret: J’aurais dû étudier davantage. → I should have studied more.
• Unrealized possibility: Si nous avions su, nous serions venus. → If we had known, we would have come.

Example Sentences

• J’aurais parlé plus lentement si j’avais su.
  → I would have spoken more slowly if I had known.
• Elle aurait fini ses devoirs plus tôt sans les interruptions.
  → She would have finished her homework earlier without interruptions.
• Nous serions allés à la plage s’il avait fait beau.
  → We would have gone to the beach if the weather had been nice.
• Ils se seraient réveillés plus tôt avec un autre réveil.
  → They would have woken up earlier with another alarm clock.

Practice Exercises

A. Complete with the present conditional

1. Si j’avais un vélo, je __________ (faire) le tour du lac.
2. Nous __________ (aimer) visiter le Québec un jour.
3. Est-ce que vous __________ (pouvoir) m’aider, s’il vous plaît ?

B. Put in the past conditional

1. Si elle avait eu plus de temps, elle __________ (terminer) le projet.
2. Nous __________ (aller) au concert si nous avions su qu’il jouait.

Answer key: A1 ferais, A2 aimerions, A3 pourriez / B1 aurait terminé, B2 serions allés.

What are the common mistakes with conditionals?

Learners often make predictable errors when using the French conditional.

Below are some of the most frequent mistakes—each with an incorrect sentence and the corrected version—so you can recognize them and avoid repeating them in your own writing and speaking.

1. Confusing the Conditional with the Future

Many students accidentally use the future tense endings instead of the conditional endings, especially because both tenses start with the same stem.

• ❌ Je parlerai si j’avais le temps. (future)
• ✅ Je parlerais si j’avais le temps. (conditional = “I would speak if I had time.”)
  Tip: Remember that the conditional endings match those of the imparfait (-ais, -ais, -ait, -ions, -iez, -aient).

2. Forgetting the “Si + Imparfait + Conditional” Structure

Learners often pair si with the wrong tense or forget the conditional in the result clause.

• ❌ Si j’ai de l’argent, j’achèterais une voiture.
• ✅ Si j’avais de l’argent, j’achèterais une voiture. (“If I had money, I would buy a car.”)
  Tip: After si (if) in a hypothetical statement, use the imparfait in the si-clause and the conditional in the main clause.

3. Using “Would” for Past Habits

In English, “would” can describe past habits (“When I was young, I would play outside every day”), but in French you must use the imparfait, not the conditional.

• ❌ Quand j’étais petit, je jouerais au foot.
• ✅ Quand j’étais petit, je jouais au foot.
  Tip: Use the conditional for hypothetical or polite “would,” not for past habits.

4. Dropping the Future Stem for Irregular Verbs

Irregular verbs like aller (ir-), avoir (aur-), être (ser-), faire (fer-), and venir (viendr-) require their special future stems.

• ❌ J’etreais content.
• ✅ Je serais content.
  Tip: Memorize the main irregular future stems—they are the same ones you need for the conditional.

5. Forgetting Agreements in the Past Conditional

With avoir or être plus past participle, learners sometimes miss past participle agreement.

• ❌ Elles seraient allé au cinéma.
• ✅ Elles seraient allées au cinéma.
  Tip: Use the correct auxiliary (avoir or être) and remember agreements when être is used or when direct objects precede the verb.

Helpful Resources

• Grammaire progressive du français – intermédiaire (CLE International)
• Bescherelle – La conjugaison
• Website:TV5Monde French Language
• Apps: Duolingo, Kwiziq
• Quizlet Flashcards:search for “French conditional verbs” to find ready-made flashcard sets or create your own.
• Podcast : Coffee Break French : Episodes that practice polite requests and hypothetical situations.

Why the French Conditional Is Essential?

Mastering the conditional tense is far more than a grammar requirement—it’s the bridge to natural, confident communication in French. Here’s why it matters so much:

1. Everyday Politeness and Social Grace
French culture values courtesy, and the conditional is the standard way to soften requests or suggestions. Phrases like Je voudrais un café (“I would like a coffee”) or Pourriez-vous m’aider ? (“Could you help me?”) sound warm and polite, whereas using the present tense can come across as abrupt.

2. Expressing Hypotheticals and Dreams
Whenever you want to talk about what you would do, imagine possibilities, or discuss plans that depend on a condition, you need the conditional:
Si j’avais plus de temps, je voyagerais autour du monde (“If I had more time, I would travel around the world”).

3. Sharing Advice and Suggestions
The verbs devoir, pouvoir, and falloir in the conditional create natural advice and recommendations:
Tu devrais étudier davantage (“You should study more”).

4. Handling Reported Speech and Uncertainty
News, literature, and academic writing often use the conditional to express something reported or uncertain:
Le journaliste a affirmé que le président démissionnerait bientôt (“The journalist said the president would resign soon”).

5. Essential for Exams and Professional Goals
From DELF/DALF and FIDE test to IB French, AP French, A-levels, and university entrance tests, the conditional appears in every section—writing, listening, and speaking. Correct usage is critical for strong marks and for professional contexts where French is a working language.

6. Gateway to Advanced Grammar
The conditional connects directly to the future tense (they share stems) and prepares you for complex forms like the past conditional used for regrets or unfulfilled actions

What are the Exams That Require the French Conditional?

Let’s take a closer look at the exams that require the conditional.

The conditional tense is an essential part of French grammar, and a solid understanding of it is required in many language exams for students, professionals, and immigrants. Mastery of the conditional demonstrates that you can express hypothetical situations, polite requests, advice, wishes, and reported speech, which are skills commonly tested in both written and oral assessments.

DELF and DALF

The Diplôme d’Études en Langue Française (DELF) and the Diplôme Approfondi de Langue Française (DALF) are official certifications issued by the French Ministry of Education to prove French-language proficiency.
Starting as early as DELF B1, candidates are expected to use the conditional naturally in both written and oral tasks—for example, drafting a polite request in a letter (Je voudrais recevoir plus d’informations…) or discussing a hypothetical situation (Si j’avais plus de temps, je voyagerais davantage).
At DELF B2, examiners look for accurate use of the conditional to express opinions, develop arguments, and show nuance in debates or essays.
At the advanced DALF C1 and C2 levels, you must demonstrate complete command of the conditional, including complex forms such as the past conditional for speculation and reported speech, especially in analytical essays or sophisticated oral presentations.

FIDE B1 Exam (Switzerland)

If you plan to live or work in Switzerland, the FIDE language passport is often required for residence or citizenship applications.
At the B1 level candidates must interact comfortably in everyday and professional contexts.
Examiners listen for correct conditional forms when you give advice (Vous devriez prendre le tram), make polite requests (Je voudrais un rendez-vous), or describe hypothetical situations (Je pourrais travailler plus d’heures si nécessaire).
Because the conditional is vital for polite and culturally appropriate communication, accurate usage can strongly influence your speaking and writing scores.
The conditional is especially important in the B1 speaking part, where you are asked to take a position on hypothetical scenarios, for example: Si vous étiez maire ou présidente de commune, qu’est-ce que vous changeriez dans votre commune ?
Master the key pattern si + imperfect + conditional—for example, Si j’avais plus de temps, je voyagerais davantage—because accurate use of this structure is essential for strong speaking and writing scores.

International Baccalaureate (IB) French Exams

The IB Diploma Programme French courses—whether Ab Initio, French B, or the higher-level Literature and Language track—consistently test grammar and especially the conditional.
In written assignments and the oral exam, students must show they can narrate hypothetical scenarios, speculate about events, or give advice using the present and past conditional.
For example, an IB writing task might ask you to describe what you would do to solve an environmental problem (Je prendrais les transports en commun pour réduire la pollution).
Correct use of the conditional distinguishes higher-level responses and contributes to strong marks in grammar and communication criteria.

Other Key Assessments

Beyond these major exams, many national and school-based qualifications—including AP French, A-Level French, university entrance exams, and professional French certifications—regularly evaluate conditional usage. In each case, the conditional shows that a candidate can handle nuanced, polite, and hypothetical language, which is essential for real-world communication.

In short: whether you are preparing for DELF B1/B2 and DALF, aiming for a FIDE B1 language passport, pursuing the IB Diploma, or taking other advanced French tests, mastering both the present and past conditional is indispensable for success in the grammar, writing, and speaking components of the exam.

Mastering French can be challenging, especially when it comes to complex grammar like the conditional, subjunctive, or irregular verbs. Self-study is helpful, but personalized guidance makes all the difference.
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