Present conditional in French
Exercises
- French conditional exercises I Score -/-
- French conditional exercises II Score -/-
- French present conditional exercise III Score -/-
- Question set exercise about the present conditional in French Score -/-
The present conditional (French: le conditionnel présent) is generally used to express:
- The future of the past (events that, viewed from the past, take place at a later time)
- A polite request or a wish
- A possibility or assumption (with caution)
After the imperfect in a 'si' clause, the conditional is used in the main clause and with these following expressions, which set a condition: au cas où, dans le cas où, pour le cas où, dans l'hypothèse où.
| Sample sentences | Translations | Use |
|---|---|---|
Je ferais bien une tarte. |
I would probably make a pie. | Assumption |
| Je comprendrais ta décision. | I would understand your decision. | Possibility |
| J'ai attendu qu'ils auraient le plus grand chien. | I heard that they would have the biggest dog. | Future of the past |
| Si je gagnais au loto, je ferais un voyage. | If I won the jackpot, I would do a journey. | 'si' clause |
| J'aimerais que tu ailles à la boutique. | I would like you to go to the shop. | wish, polite request |
| Au cas où nous serions absents | If ever we wouldn't be here. | expressions which set a condition |
Lesson Outline
Hide- 1.Formation of the present conditional in French
- 2.Regular forms of the present conditional
- 3.Irregular forms of the present conditional
- 3.1.Present conditional of être and avoir
- 3.2.Present conditional of 3rd group verbs
- 3.3.Present conditional of 3rd group that take a 'd'
- 4.Other irregular forms of the present conditional
Formation of the present conditional in French
The tense forms of the regular and irregular verbs are made up of:
- the infinitive form
- the imperfect endings: ais - ais - ait - ions - iez - iaient
Regular forms of the present conditional
The present conditional for regular forms are the same for all verbs groups. They are composed of an -r- and the endings of the imperfect tense.
| Travailler (to work) | Dormir (to sleep) | Prendre (to take) |
|---|---|---|
|
Je travaillerais (I would work) |
Je dormirais (I would sleep) |
Je prendrais (I would take) |
| Tu travaillerais | Tu dormirais | Tu prendrais |
| Il/elle/on travaillerait | Il/elle/on dormirait | Il/elle/on prendrait |
| Nous travaillerions | Nous dormirions | Nous prendrions |
| Vous travailleriez | Vous dormiriez | Vous prendriez |
| Ils/elles travailleraient | Ils/elles dormiraient | Ils/elles prendraient |
Note that the regular verb that have 'y' changes to 'i'.
- Essuyer: J'essuierais, tu essuierais, il essuierait...
- Payer: je paierais, tu paierais, il paierait...
- Nettoyer: je nettoierais, tu nettoierais, il nettoierait...
Irregular forms of the present conditional
They are many verbs that make the conditional irregular: the auxiliary verbs 'être' and 'avoir' and verbs of the 3rd group. They differ from the remaining irregular verbs by their stem, and some take a 'd' before the endings.
Present conditional of être and avoir
être (to be) |
avoir (to have) |
|---|---|
| Je serais | J'aurais |
| Tu serais | Tu aurais |
| Il/elle/on serait | Il/elle/on aurait |
| Nous serions | Nous aurions |
| Vous seriez | Vous auriez |
| Ils/elles seraient | Ils/elles auraient |
Present conditional of 3rd group verbs
| aller (to go) | voir (to see) | faire (to do) |
|---|---|---|
| J' irais | Je verrais | Je ferais |
| Tu irais | Tu verrais | Tu ferais |
| Il/elle/on irait | Il/elle/on verrait | Il/elle/on ferait |
| Nous irions | Nous verrions | Nous ferions |
| Vous iriez | Vous verriez | Vous feriez |
| Ils/elles iraient | Ils/elles verraient | Ils/elles feraient |
Present conditional of 3rd group that take a 'd'
| venir (to come) | tenir (to hold) | valoir (to worth) |
|---|---|---|
| Je viendrais | Je tiendrais | Je vaudrais |
| Tu viendrais | Tu tiendrais | Tu vaudrais |
| Il/elle/on viendrait | Il/elle/on tiendrait | Il/elle/on vaudrait |
| Nous viendrions | Nous tiendrions | Nous vaudrions |
| Vous viendriez | Vous tiendriez | Vous vaudriez |
| Ils/elles viendraient | Ils/elles tiendraient | Ils/elles vaudraient |
Other irregular forms of the present conditional
- Courrir: - elles courraient (they would run)
- Devoir - je devrais (I would have to)
- Envoyer - tu enverrais (you would send)
- Mourir - vous mourriez (you would die)
- Pouvoir - ils pourraient (they could)
- Recevoir - je recevrais (I would receive)
- Savoir - tu saurais (you would know)
- Vouloir - je voudrais (I would)
- Falloir - il faudrait (it would)
- Pleuvoir - il pleuvrait (it would rain)
You can memorize the irregular verb forms of le conditionnel présent, because they will most certainly meet you more frequently.
Practise with a private teacher on Skype!
- Private Skype lessons
- Learn any topic
- Flexible appointments
German lessons and learning materials included
I teach: English, French, German
My name is Christina and I provide fun German and French language lesson for children and adult beginners or intermediate who want to... strengthen their language skills, improve the grammar knowledge, enrich the vocabulary and get into the German culture! I can teach in English or French!I had experince in teaching German, English and French to foreign people so I do have a lot of useful learning material I can provide you to make it easier! Read more
This teacher is one of our premium members. A premium teacher is very motivated to provide an excellent learning experience.
Professionnal French courses with a French native and certified teacher
I teach: French
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* Read more
English one-on-one tutoring all levels
I teach: Dutch, English, French, Italian
Hello,I would love to help you improve your knowledge of English.I adapt the lessons following your wishes : are you a beginner and need to get... some basic knowledge with grammar and easy texts or do you want to improve your conversation skills. I can help you either way.Looking forward to meeting you ! Read more
