French Conditionals - Propositions conditionnelles

The second conditional* expresses something that is contrary to present fact or unlikely to occur: something that would happen if something else happened.

For the second conditional, use si + imperfect (stating the condition) + conditional (stating what would happen).

Si j'avais le temps, je le ferais. / Je le ferais si j'avais le temps.
If I had time, I would do it. / I would do it if I had time.
(Fact: I don't have time, but if I did [contrary to fact], I would do it.)

Si tu étudiais, tu réussirais à l'examen. / Tu réussirais à l'examen si tu étudiais.
If you studied, you would pass the test. / You would pass the test if you studied.
(Fact: You don't study, but if you did [unlikely to occur], you would pass the test.)

Si elle vous voyait, elle vous aiderait. / Elle vous aiderait si elle vous voyait.
If she saw you, she would help you. / She would help you if she saw you.
(Fact: She doesn't see you so she isn't helping you [but if you get her attention, she will].)


Test on si clauses

Second conditional classroom practice


*Please note that the term "conditional" here refers to the condition being named, not the conditional mood. In the second conditional, the conditional mood is not used to name the condition itself, but rather the result.

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