Pouvoir conditionnel vs imparfait

Chesca M.A1Kwiziq community member

Pouvoir conditionnel vs imparfait

Bonjour,

I'm a bit confused about how pouvoir in the conditional mood would translate/ be interpreted in English. How will I differentiate pouvoir in these two tenses?

Thank you! :)

Asked 3 years ago
Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor Correct answer

Pouvoir -- can / to be able to
Pouvais -- could / was (being) able to
Pourrais -- could / would be able to

Note that the English "could" is ambiguous and can be either imperfect or conditional in French.

Jim J.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Hi Chesca,

Think about what pouvoir translates to in English.     Pouvoir  --> to be able to.

So In the conditional this becomes  "could be able to" and in the Imparfait "was able to"

Hope this helps.

Jim

Pouvoir conditionnel vs imparfait

Bonjour,

I'm a bit confused about how pouvoir in the conditional mood would translate/ be interpreted in English. How will I differentiate pouvoir in these two tenses?

Thank you! :)

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
Getting that for you now...