Pouvoir conditionnel vs imparfait

ChescaA1Kwiziq 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 2 years ago
ChrisC1 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.

JimC1 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! :)

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