I'm confused by: "Tu ne devrais pas leur faire confiance." In the present, wouldn't it be "Tu ne dois pas leur faire confiance.", that is:

Carol B.B2Kwiziq community member

I'm confused by: "Tu ne devrais pas leur faire confiance." In the present, wouldn't it be "Tu ne dois pas leur faire confiance.", that is:

You must not / shouldn't trust them.  So what does using the imparfait do, and how is the meaning using devrais different from using dois?
Asked 5 years ago
Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Hi Carol, devrais is not the imperfect, it is actually present tense but present tense conditional.

devrais -- you should

The imperfect would be similar but without the "r": devais.

Carol B.B2Kwiziq community member
Thanks!! I don't know conditional yet, no wonder I was confused.

I'm confused by: "Tu ne devrais pas leur faire confiance." In the present, wouldn't it be "Tu ne dois pas leur faire confiance.", that is:

You must not / shouldn't trust them.  So what does using the imparfait do, and how is the meaning using devrais different from using dois?

Sign in to submit your answer

Don't have an account yet? Join today

Ask a question

Find your French level for FREE

Test your French to the CEFR standard

Find your French level
I'll be right with you...