Conditional in French (le conditionnel)
Sign up for free to get all information about private lessons and our available group courses (A1, A2, B2, B2, C1, C2)
Sign up for freeWe offer both private lessons and organized group courses
Sign up for free to get all available courses or contact one of our teachers yourself!
Noémie F.
13.00 €/h
Free trial lesson!
Group lessons!
Claudia L.
15.00 €/h
Free trial lesson!
Group lessons!
Antoine D.
35.00 €/h
No free trial lesson!
Group lessons!
Our offer
Lesson outline
HideWhat is the conditional?
The conditional (French: le conditionnel) is used to express an action that will take place if another action has already taken place. In general, it is used to express wishes, probability in the future, possibilities and doubts.
The conditional is used in mainly three contexts:
| Usage | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Express a polite request | Je voudrais aller à la gare, s'il vous plait. | I would like to go to the train station, please. |
| Express 'future of the past' (events that take place at a later time, viewed at a later time) | Elle m'a dit qu'elle ferais une bonne avocate. | She told me, she would make a good lawyer. |
| 'si clauses' | Si tu gagnais le gros lot, tu achèterait une belle voiture. | If you won the jackpot, you would buy a beautiful car. |
The 'si' clauses use the present conditional (achèterais) when the condition is the imperfect (gagnais).
Have a question?
Take online language lessons with a professional teacher
- Native & verified teachers
- Free trial lesson
- Learning materials included
Chandra F. 
35.00 €/h
Free trial lesson!
Group lessons!
Amandine K.
30.00 €/h
Free trial lesson!
Group lessons!
Gloria María C. 
12.00 €/h
Free trial lesson!
Group lessons!
Cornelia A. 
20.00 €/h
Free trial lesson!
Group lessons!
Marvin Omar A. 
12.00 €/h
Free trial lesson!
Group lessons!
Israel R.
19.00 €/h
Free trial lesson!
Group lessons!
Michel Désiré B.
15.00 €/h
Free trial lesson!
Group lessons!
KODZO A. 
15.00 €/h
Free trial lesson!
Group lessons!
Marion N.
25.00 €/h
Free trial lesson!
Group lessons!
Alessandro C. 
15.00 €/h
Free trial lesson!
Group lessons!
Chandra F.
35.00 €/h
Free trial lesson!
Group lessons!
Amandine K.
30.00 €/h
Free trial lesson!
Group lessons!
Gloria María C.
12.00 €/h
Free trial lesson!
Group lessons!
Cornelia A.
20.00 €/h
Free trial lesson!
Group lessons!
Marvin Omar A.
12.00 €/h
Free trial lesson!
Group lessons!
Israel R.
19.00 €/h
Free trial lesson!
Group lessons!
Michel Désiré B.
15.00 €/h
Free trial lesson!
Group lessons!
KODZO A.
15.00 €/h
Free trial lesson!
Group lessons!
Conditional as a tense in French
The conditional has a temporal form for the present (French: le conditionnel présent), like the future tense. we distinguish between two conditional tenses: the present and the past conditional tense.
The present conditional
The present conditional (French: le présent conditionnel) is very similar to the future simple, but the endings are composed of an -r- and the endings of the imperfect tense.
| Infinitif | Futur (The future expresses your next step) | Conditionnel (The conditional expresses possibility) |
|---|---|---|
Parler To speak | Je parlerai I will speak | Je parlerais I would speak |
Regarder To watch | Tu regarderas You will watch | Tu regarderais You would watch |
Regular formation of the present conditional
| verbs on -er: manger | verbs on -ir: finir | verbs on -re: mettre |
|---|---|---|
| Je mangerais | Je finirais | Je mettrais |
| Tu mangerais | Tu finirais | Tu mettrais |
| Il/elle/on mangerait | Il/elle/on finirait | Il/elle/on mettrait |
| Nous mangerions | Nous finirions | Nous mettrions |
| Vous mangeriez | Vous finiriez | Vous mettriez |
| Ils/elles mangeraient | Ils/elles finiraient | Ils/elles mettraient |
Formation of the conditional with être and avoir
'Avoir' and ''être' are formed irregularly:
- Avoir: j'aurais, tu aurais, il aurait, nous aurions, vous auriez, ils auraient
- Être: je serais, tu serais, il serait, nous serions, vous seriez, ils seraient
The past conditional
The past conditional (French: le conditionnel passé) is formed with the conditionnel of the auxiliary verb 'avoir' or 'être' and the past participle. In general, it is used to express regrets.
| verbs on -er: aimer | verbs on -ir: finir | verbs on -re: mettre |
|---|---|---|
| J'aurais aimé | J'aurais fini | J'aurais mis |
| Tu aurais aimé | Tu aurais fini | Tu aurais mis |
| Il/elle/on aurait aimé | Il/elle/on aurait fini | Il/elle/on aurait mis |
| Nous aurions aimé | Nous aurions fini | Nous aurions mis |
| Vous auriez aimé | Vous auriez fini | Vous auriez mis |
| Ils/elles auraient aimé | Ils/elles auraient fini | Ils/elles auraient mis |
The past conditional with 'être' agrees in gender and number with the noun they qualify.
Examples:
- Lucy se serait perdue dans les bois. (Lucy would have been lost in the woods.)
- Marc et Tom seraient rentrés en France. (Marc and Tom would have went back in France.)
The conditional as a mode in French
The conditionnel is also used as a mode in French. It is used to describe the manner in which an action or process can or should take place.
In this case, you use the past or present conditional + infinitive.
In the present, it is used to express a wish, a possibility, a guess or a polite request:
- J'aimerais faire un dessin pour ma mère. (I would like to make a drawing for my mother.)
- Je saurais le faire. (I would know how to do it.)
In the past, it is used to express regrets:
- J'aurais aimé rester un peu plus longtemps. (I would have loved to stay a little longer.)
- J'aurais été heureux de partir en vacances. (I would have been happy to go in holiday.)
Keep your motivation and test your knowledge about the conditional with our exercises.
Exercises
Exercise for the conditional in French I
The French conditional tense or mode exercise I
Exercises
Exercise for the conditional in French I
The French conditional tense or mode exercise I
What our students say
Unlike in other platforms, all our teachers are manually verified by our professional team. Trust in the experiences of our students.
Hello,
My name is Tiska. I am a French Teacher with experiences with adults and teenagers in Public Education (USA) and Language Schools. I am holding a Master Degree in FLE (Teaching French as a Foreign Language).
Join a small group of learners of 2 or 3 for conversation lessons with me. An article or video to watch before the lesson and a conversation with personalized corrections during the lesson. This option saves you at least 10 euros per lesson on Colanguage.
Group opening:
Monday and/or Wednesday from 17:30 to 18:30 (French time).
Level: intermediate (B1)
Also, standard French lessons
- level A2 (low intermediate)
- 2 hours a week
- ask for schedule
Don’t know your level? Ask for a free level test.
I give Skype lessons to people who need or want to improve their French language. I like to use material from the internet (videos, article etc.) to introduce a theme which leads to a lesson and a conversation.
I like to create engaging learning with my students. I will give as homework a document to watch or to read with comprehension exercises so the time we have on skype is only speaking practice and explanation if needed.
I can help you prepare DELF-DALF Exams or work on specific needs (as professional French).
Really like to speak about all the subjects with the student especially those the student like so it gives the motivation to speak in the foreign language.
The free first lesson is organize to know your tastes, your level and your needs so we can plan the next lessons about the objectives you fixed.
F. D.
Tiska is a very good teacher: her lessons are well structured and she follows your French level perfectly. The method she uses is modern and leaves room for conversation. Homework is a real party with the videos, listening to music videos and grammar which is well explained in the book. I can highly recommend Tiska for your French lesson.
Tiska G.
Bonjour! Veux-tu apprendre français? ou l'améliorer?
My classes are structured according to my students' needs, I use different teaching methods and I rely on listening each of my students' expectations and goals. Dynamism and constant learning are my purposes in my classes.
I have worked as a French teacher for more than ten years.
I have academic studies in English and French from Montréal, Canada, where I lived for several years. I have a Bachelor in Teaching French as a foreign language from the Université de Bourgogne.
À bientôt!
M. C.
Natalia is wonderful! I can't recommend her enough! She is thoughtful, considerate, patient, and flexible! I always look forward to her lessons and I have learned a lot in a short time. I can't wait to see how fluent I can become with her as my teacher!
Natalia L.
Marissa is a very nice and motivated student. It is very pleasant to talk with her and to teach her. I hope to be able to accompany her throughout the whole process for the presentation of her exam, which she will undoubtedly pass with a good result.
Hello,
Are you looking to learn or improve your French in a Fun and relaxed atmosphere?
Look no further !
My name is Anissa and I'm a French native and certified teacher.
Focusing on each student's individual level, interests, and goals, my online classes are effective to achieve impressive learning results in a shorter period of time. The courses will be based on your personal needs and during the class you will receive direct explanations, correction and feedback in order to instantly improve your language skills.
Whether you want to learn French for your own pleasure or preparing for an exam, an upcoming interview or a presentation at work, I will be happy to assist you in reaching your goals.
My online classes are available at any time! Choose a subject from my curriculum or request your own topic, date, time and start master your French!
I look forward to meeting you,
Anissa, your French (and nice) teacher :)
*Please note that I'm not offering a free trial anymore*
A. O.
As always, Anissa continues to excel. She is a pleasure to work with, helpful in every way. I always enjoy our lessons.
Anissa M.
Italian for you!
A. L.
Stefania is an experienced Italian teacher and native speaker. She designs her classes in a flexible and dynamic way and takes a communicative approach. She provided self-made teaching material and focusses on speaking, always considering her student's level and individual needs.
This review was written by a coLanguage team member during a manual screening of this teacher profile.
Scermino S.
Training is my passion. I like interacting with people. I am passionate about reading, watching movies, and music. I love to explore new places and have keen interest in arts and literature.I love meeting new people because every person is a whole new world you can learn from. I am also a keen reader and an enthusiastic traveller.
M. K.
Hella is a very easy-going and open-minded person. She asked me to introduce myself and was in the process of determining my level of French, which was fine. Then she introduced herself and described her teaching model, which I found to be very sensible. We have also expressed the objectives. I believe I can reach them with Hella's help. Looking forward to our next lessons!
Hella K.
Learning with a system and joy.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Because of its linguistic relationship with English, Norwegian is relatively easy to learn for people with a knowledge of English. About a third of the vocabulary can be understood by everyone either immediately or after a few lessons. The grammar is simpler than in German or Dutch, for example. The best prerequisites for learning this wonderful language!
My lessons are aimed at beginners and advanced learners (A1-B2).
I practise modern language teaching methods that I learned at the Folke University in Bergen. This means:
- We learn by talking a lot to each other
- We will work with images that encourage us to speak
- We are not bothered by mistakes, but rather enjoy new words and success stories
- We learn new words, spellings, sentences and pronunciations by building on what we already know
- We take grammar seriously where it is important. We don't let it limit us
- We learn easiest when we have fun and enjoy it.
Regardless of whether you are preparing for a job interview, are thinking of emigrating or are just there to enjoy the matter: My lessons adapt to your wishes.
The first introductory lesson is free. If you book several hours at once, you will receive a discount.
--------------------------
I was born in Luxembourg and have lived in Bergen / Norway for over 10 years. I work as a historian in a UNESCO World Heritage Museum and am in daily contact with Scandinavian history and the Norwegian language. I originally studied Scandinavian Studies, Medieval History and Archeology in Germany and Norway. I learned Norwegian about 20 years ago and taught for several years at the University of Bonn / Germany and the Folke University in Bergen / Norway. I speak 5 languages and can also read some historical languages (including Old Norse).
These experiences will make learning Norwegian a lot easier for you. I know the pitfalls that await foreigners and which donkey bridges work well. My cultural-historical knowledge will not only give you an understanding of Norwegian culture and way of life, but will also help you in a practical way to be able to easily remember strange words and formulations at first glance and not to get lost in the thicket of countless dialects.
I am looking forward to our collaboration!
Vi snakkes,
Tom
G. P.
Specialized in teaching for many years, in him you will find a well prepared, expert, friendly and inspiring teacher with a creative and at the same time simple teaching method.
This review was written by a coLanguage team member during a manual screening of this teacher profile.
Tom H.
Bonjour! Veux-tu apprendre français? ou l'améliorer?
My classes are structured according to my students' needs, I use different teaching methods and I rely on listening each of my students' expectations and goals. Dynamism and constant learning are my purposes in my classes.
I have worked as a French teacher for more than ten years.
I have academic studies in English and French from Montréal, Canada, where I lived for several years. I have a Bachelor in Teaching French as a foreign language from the Université de Bourgogne.
À bientôt!
I. G.
I really enjoy my lessons with Natalia! She is a very talented teacher. So far she has helped me to improve a lot my vocabulory, grammaire and my conversational skills, in general. I like that all the time we talk in French, which is very useful if you already start from a certain language level (like my case). But also, she can explain in English , if I need. She chooses a lot of different topics for conversations, and for grammaire she uses the best learning materials which exist on the market! Thank you Natalia!
Hi Irina. Thank you very much for your comment. It has been a real pleasure to work with you these months and to see how you have improved your grammar as well as your oral and written expression. You have a very good level of French and I will help you to improve it in the way you need. See you soon!
Hello,
My name is Tiska. I am a French Teacher with experiences with adults and teenagers in Public Education (USA) and Language Schools. I am holding a Master Degree in FLE (Teaching French as a Foreign Language).
Join a small group of learners of 2 or 3 for conversation lessons with me. An article or video to watch before the lesson and a conversation with personalized corrections during the lesson. This option saves you at least 10 euros per lesson on Colanguage.
Group opening:
Monday and/or Wednesday from 17:30 to 18:30 (French time).
Level: intermediate (B1)
Also, standard French lessons
- level A2 (low intermediate)
- 2 hours a week
- ask for schedule
Don’t know your level? Ask for a free level test.
I give Skype lessons to people who need or want to improve their French language. I like to use material from the internet (videos, article etc.) to introduce a theme which leads to a lesson and a conversation.
I like to create engaging learning with my students. I will give as homework a document to watch or to read with comprehension exercises so the time we have on skype is only speaking practice and explanation if needed.
I can help you prepare DELF-DALF Exams or work on specific needs (as professional French).
Really like to speak about all the subjects with the student especially those the student like so it gives the motivation to speak in the foreign language.
The free first lesson is organize to know your tastes, your level and your needs so we can plan the next lessons about the objectives you fixed.
S. .
Tiska is giving a great support to my 8 years daughter in this challenging period! We scheduled regularly lessons to improve her French language skill and to review grammars rules in a funny enjoyfull way. Super professional and very kind teacher!
Tiska G.
Hello,
My name is Tiska. I am a French Teacher with experiences with adults and teenagers in Public Education (USA) and Language Schools. I am holding a Master Degree in FLE (Teaching French as a Foreign Language).
Join a small group of learners of 2 or 3 for conversation lessons with me. An article or video to watch before the lesson and a conversation with personalized corrections during the lesson. This option saves you at least 10 euros per lesson on Colanguage.
Group opening:
Monday and/or Wednesday from 17:30 to 18:30 (French time).
Level: intermediate (B1)
Also, standard French lessons
- level A2 (low intermediate)
- 2 hours a week
- ask for schedule
Don’t know your level? Ask for a free level test.
I give Skype lessons to people who need or want to improve their French language. I like to use material from the internet (videos, article etc.) to introduce a theme which leads to a lesson and a conversation.
I like to create engaging learning with my students. I will give as homework a document to watch or to read with comprehension exercises so the time we have on skype is only speaking practice and explanation if needed.
I can help you prepare DELF-DALF Exams or work on specific needs (as professional French).
Really like to speak about all the subjects with the student especially those the student like so it gives the motivation to speak in the foreign language.
The free first lesson is organize to know your tastes, your level and your needs so we can plan the next lessons about the objectives you fixed.
E. A.
TISKA is a very prepared, kind and helpful teacher. i love studying with her because she makes the lesson to be intereesant and nice. she understands my needs and gives me the right homework.
Tiska G.
Hi,
I m claudie , I m french and i have experience to teach french to foreign people.
I create in a school of langage in Spain a little faculty for my french lessons with a group from 15 years olds until 25.
The pupils were all the levels A1 until C2!
I was teaching as well with lillte children and adults in Spain and Rumania.
I m a very dynamic teacher with a lot of patient and empathy.
You will make a lot of progress!
L. T.
Highly recommended, very personable and the lessons are a lot of fun. Claudie is flexible when it comes to class topics. Adapts to your interests or profession. In my case, she adapted the lessons to my employer and integrated the homepage into the lessons (sales). We recommend!
Claudie S.
thank you very much, I really enjoyed the hours spent working French together on many topics and also our laughter !!
My name is Curtis Davies, I'm a native English speaker and professional language coach from Canada. I'm also the host of "The Real English Conversations Podcast". I’ve helped thousands of students improve their English skills since 2013, specifically with confidence, speaking fluency, and pronunciation to feel 100% comfortable communicating in English in any situation.
You can be sure that our lessons will be focused on the areas that you are most concerned about improving as we discuss interesting topics that you will enjoy talking about. Together, we can create a customized study plan that surely will help you reach your goals and finally feel good about your English communication.
I'm A personal trainer for English communication in Real-World situations. My lessons focus on helping you to improve your speaking fluency, pronunciation, confidence and to be prepared for everyday social interactions, casual conversations, communicating better in English at work, and even preparing you for an important interview or presentation.
What To Expect: Professional Help NOT just Conversation Practice
I'm a specialist that cares about YOU achieving your goals I will evaluate you first, then we work together as a team to create a FUN learning strategy or plan so 100% of your classes are exciting BUT focused on where you need the most practice and attention
G. P.
Curtis is a Canadian teacher with years of experience in teaching English. He is a real motivator and with him, you will improve lesson by lesson and reach your goals. His teaching techniques and strategies are based on his years of coaching and experience. If you want an English motivator, Curtis is the ideal teacher for you.
This review was written by a coLanguage team member during a manual screening of this teacher profile.
Curtis D.
Hi
I am Kelly, i teach frenhc in Switzerland and online. I've experience since many years.
I can help you for DELF/ DALF, pass an exam, or for professional goals.
J. .
Kelly is always on time, patient and friendly. She answers all my questions about the French language and culture. She is a good teacher and I recommend her. Kelly is always on time, is patient, and friendly. She answers all my questions about the French language and culture. She's a great teacher and I recommend her.
Kelly P.
Thanks Jo. I am also very happy to have you as a student.
Hi! My name is Tiphaine, I'm french, I'm 37 years old and I live in Seville.
I grew up in the outside of Paris, I travelled all over the world and I live in Spain for 10 years now.
I'm a musician, a dancer and I love to cook and hike.
I'm a french teacher, and it's my passion! I speak 3 languages, and thanks to my learning I was able to live amazing experiences in many countries.
That's why I became a teacher, to be able to share with you my love for french language and culture and to guide you in your progress.
For me, each language is a way of seeing and interpreting the world, as glasses of different colors.
Understanding the way a language works is understanding how its people see things; it's such a exciting process, I can't wait to share it with you!
I have more than 8 years experience, in schools, companies and universities.
I work with people from all ages, beginners to advanced. I know most of french manuals.
I can prepare you to DELF and DALF exams. I also have a specialization in french for specific goals and french business.
I can offer you thematic courses, to improve your pronunciation, increase your vocabulary, prepare you for traveling or for a new job.
All my classes are in french, I adapt my vocabulary and speech speed according to your level.
I also adapt my method to your needs, personality, to take the best advantage of my classes and your french learning.
I use diversified ressources, from quizz to podcasts, videos, songs and games.
Whatever are your motivations, if you want to learn french in a pleasurable and rewarding way, book a class with me!
J. M.
The strategy of Tiphaine is simple but very effective. She assess each students by understanding their needs and goals first. What I enjoy most is I get to speak french with her more than I did in my other french classes. She also give life advices on the side. :)
Tiphaine R.
Do you want to learn Spanish with a kind and patient teacher? Someone to help you gain confidence and practice the language with topics according to your level and needs? In addition to that ... Do you want to get a study material and corrections? Well, I'm the right teacher for you . My name is Andrea and I'm from South America - Ecuador. I am a full-time Spanish teacher and I have a variety of resources to help you learn Spanish online.
I am currently studying French and I know how beneficial and fun it is to learn with a friendly and patient teacher who teaches you and helps you speak the language with confidence.
If you want to know a little more about me, I invite you to watch this video about reserving a hotel room.
https://youtu.be/d7F7mxOfKmA
G. P.
Andrea is a delightful and brilliant teacher. She has been teaching Spanish since 2018 and her study method is based on the student's level and the goals they want to achieve. In her you will find a prepared, experienced and friendly person. She relies on several books for teaching Spanish and her lessons are creative, very innovative and super interactive. With her you will never be bored.
This review was written by a coLanguage team member during a manual screening of this teacher profile.
Andrea H.
Training is my passion. I like interacting with people. I am passionate about reading, watching movies, and music. I love to explore new places and have keen interest in arts and literature.I love meeting new people because every person is a whole new world you can learn from. I am also a keen reader and an enthusiastic traveller.
L. .
She is kind, she listen to me and try to help me to understand, she use pictures, english words and try to show me the meaning of words . I recommand her. She offers books for free.
Hella K.
Hello,
My name is Tiska. I am a French Teacher with experiences with adults and teenagers in Public Education (USA) and Language Schools. I am holding a Master Degree in FLE (Teaching French as a Foreign Language).
Join a small group of learners of 2 or 3 for conversation lessons with me. An article or video to watch before the lesson and a conversation with personalized corrections during the lesson. This option saves you at least 10 euros per lesson on Colanguage.
Group opening:
Monday and/or Wednesday from 17:30 to 18:30 (French time).
Level: intermediate (B1)
Also, standard French lessons
- level A2 (low intermediate)
- 2 hours a week
- ask for schedule
Don’t know your level? Ask for a free level test.
I give Skype lessons to people who need or want to improve their French language. I like to use material from the internet (videos, article etc.) to introduce a theme which leads to a lesson and a conversation.
I like to create engaging learning with my students. I will give as homework a document to watch or to read with comprehension exercises so the time we have on skype is only speaking practice and explanation if needed.
I can help you prepare DELF-DALF Exams or work on specific needs (as professional French).
Really like to speak about all the subjects with the student especially those the student like so it gives the motivation to speak in the foreign language.
The free first lesson is organize to know your tastes, your level and your needs so we can plan the next lessons about the objectives you fixed.
F. D.
Tiska is a very good teacher: her lessons are well structured and she follows your French level perfectly. The method she uses is modern and leaves room for conversation. Homework is a real party with the videos, listening to music videos and grammar which is well explained in the book. I can highly recommend Tiska for your French lesson.
Tiska G.
Bonjour! Veux-tu apprendre français? ou l'améliorer?
My classes are structured according to my students' needs, I use different teaching methods and I rely on listening each of my students' expectations and goals. Dynamism and constant learning are my purposes in my classes.
I have worked as a French teacher for more than ten years.
I have academic studies in English and French from Montréal, Canada, where I lived for several years. I have a Bachelor in Teaching French as a foreign language from the Université de Bourgogne.
À bientôt!
M. C.
Natalia is wonderful! I can't recommend her enough! She is thoughtful, considerate, patient, and flexible! I always look forward to her lessons and I have learned a lot in a short time. I can't wait to see how fluent I can become with her as my teacher!
Marissa is a very nice and motivated student. It is very pleasant to talk with her and to teach her. I hope to be able to accompany her throughout the whole process for the presentation of her exam, which she will undoubtedly pass with a good result.
Hello,
Are you looking to learn or improve your French in a Fun and relaxed atmosphere?
Look no further !
My name is Anissa and I'm a French native and certified teacher.
Focusing on each student's individual level, interests, and goals, my online classes are effective to achieve impressive learning results in a shorter period of time. The courses will be based on your personal needs and during the class you will receive direct explanations, correction and feedback in order to instantly improve your language skills.
Whether you want to learn French for your own pleasure or preparing for an exam, an upcoming interview or a presentation at work, I will be happy to assist you in reaching your goals.
My online classes are available at any time! Choose a subject from my curriculum or request your own topic, date, time and start master your French!
I look forward to meeting you,
Anissa, your French (and nice) teacher :)
*Please note that I'm not offering a free trial anymore*
A. O.
As always, Anissa continues to excel. She is a pleasure to work with, helpful in every way. I always enjoy our lessons.
Anissa M.
Italian for you!
A. L.
Stefania is an experienced Italian teacher and native speaker. She designs her classes in a flexible and dynamic way and takes a communicative approach. She provided self-made teaching material and focusses on speaking, always considering her student's level and individual needs.
This review was written by a coLanguage team member during a manual screening of this teacher profile.
Scermino S.