Other types of "Si" clauses

Question

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."

Accepted Answer

Hi Gregory,
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