Other types of "Si" clauses

GregoryC1Kwiziq community member

Other types of "Si" clauses

I'm looking for further information on the other types of "Si" clauses. L'imparfait+conditionnel is just one type. What about "Si" clauses that are placed in the past--e.g. "If you had studied harder, you would have passed the test". Another type: "If you're able, come visit me."
Asked 5 years ago
CécileKwiziq team memberCorrect answer

Hi Gregory,

The lesson is still under construction, so I will try and explain:

There are 3 types -

1.  To express a likely situation using the present ------future/imperative

Si tu cours, tu auras ton train = If you run, you'll catch your train 

Si tu peux, va chercher les enfants à l'école =If you can, go and fetch the children at school

2. To express an unlikely situation using the imperfect ------conditional present

Si tu lui parlais gentiment, il te répondrait = If you spoke nicely to him, he would answer you

Si tu travaillais à l'école, tu réussirais = I you worked at school, you'd succeed

3. To express an impossible situation (as in the past) using the PluPerfect -----Conditional past

Si tu lui avais répondu gentiment, il t'aurait répondu = If you had spoken to him nicely, he would have answered you

Si vous leur aviez donné de meilleures instructions ils ne se seraient pas perdus = If you'd given them better instructions, they wouldn't have got lost

Hope this helps
GregoryC1Kwiziq community member
Thanks! This is very helpful. Good to know the lesson is coming along...I thought I’d missed something somewhere.

Other types of "Si" clauses

I'm looking for further information on the other types of "Si" clauses. L'imparfait+conditionnel is just one type. What about "Si" clauses that are placed in the past--e.g. "If you had studied harder, you would have passed the test". Another type: "If you're able, come visit me."

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