Practice FrenchB2
Conditional nuance and hypothetical meaning
Form and hypothesis
Use the future stem with the imperfect endings: -ais, -ais, -ait, -ions, -iez, -aient. For an unreal present situation, use si + imperfect, then the conditional.
Si j’avais le temps, je viendrais. (Pas : si j’aurais le temps.)
Politeness and distance
A request becomes less direct with pourrais or voudrais. In reported news, the conditional marks information as unconfirmed; it does not by itself mean that the event is in the future.
Pourriez-vous fermer la porte ?
Selon la presse, le ministre serait à Paris.
An unreal past
The past conditional uses avoir or être in the conditional plus a past participle. After si, use the pluperfect for a past condition that was not fulfilled.
Si nous avions réservé, nous aurions eu une table. / Si elle avait pu, elle serait venue.
Try three examples
Example 1
Choose the direct question using the conditional to make a polite request.
- Pouvez-vous m'aider un instant ?
- Pourriez-vous m'aider un instant ?
- Vous pourriez m'aider un instant.
- M'aiderez-vous un instant ?
Show answer
Pourriez-vous m'aider un instant ?
Could you help me for a moment?
Example 2
Complete with the present conditional form of «être» that fits the sentence.
Nous ___ partis plus tôt.
Show answer
serions
We would have left earlier.
Example 3
Complete with the present conditional form of «préférer» that fits the sentence.
Je ___ attendre.
Show answer
préférerais
I would prefer to wait.
Conjugate the verbs from this lesson
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