Chapter 28: If... Then...

"If I won the lottery, I would buy an island." Mixing tense is an art form. Let's master the Formula.

The Golden Rule

Si
+
Imparfait
=
Conditionnel

"Si j'étais (Imp) riche, j'achèterais (Cond) une voiture."

Note: We NEVER say "Si je serais". It's illegal in French grammar!

Hypothetical Situations

Dialogue: Le Dilemme

Paul hesitates about a job offer.

P
Paul

Je ne sais pas... Si j'acceptais ce travail, je devrais déménager.

(I don't know... If I accepted this job, I would have to move.)

Mais si tu déménageais à Paris, tu serais plus heureux !

(But if you moved to Paris, you would be happier!)
C
Claire
P
Paul

C'est vrai. Si j'étais courageux, je le ferais.

(That's true. If I were brave, I would do it.)

Le Coin Culturel: Avec des si...

There is a famous French proverb: "Avec des si, on mettrait Paris en bouteille." (With 'ifs', we would put Paris in a bottle). It means that with enough hypothetical scenarios, anything is possible, so stop dreaming and act!

Sentence Builder

Select the pieces to build: "If I had money, I would travel."

? ? (Avoir) l'argent, ? (Voyager)

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