Why the verb is used in Conditional?

GerberaA1Kwiziq community member

Why the verb is used in Conditional?

Thanks so much for the great lesson. However, I am now really confused about why the sentence "You wouldn't think she is 90'' is translated into ' On ne lui donnerait pas 90 ans''? Why is the verb in Conditional? Thank you so much.
Asked 6 years ago
AurélieKwiziq team member
Bonjour Gerbera ! Here, the French sentence literally reads as "You wouldn't give her 90 years.", which echoes the notion of doubt contained in "You *wouldn't* think she is 90.". Both sentences are in the conditional here, to express uncertainty. I hope that's helpful! À bientôt !
NigelA2Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor
Aurelie, many thanks, your explanation is clear. But I don't understand why the other example used isn't also in the conditional i.e. " people shouldn't speak with their mouths full" : " on ne doit pas parler la bouche pleine". Why isn't the English translation "people mustn't eat with their mouths full"?
AurélieKwiziq team member
Bonjour Nigel ! You are absolutely right on this one :) I've now edited the English to match the French, thanks to you. Merci et à bientôt !

Why the verb is used in Conditional?

Thanks so much for the great lesson. However, I am now really confused about why the sentence "You wouldn't think she is 90'' is translated into ' On ne lui donnerait pas 90 ans''? Why is the verb in Conditional? Thank you so much.

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