The verb pouvoir is used in Conditionnel Présent to express could.
It uses the same irregular stem as in Futur Simple : pourr-

Have a look at these sentences:

Je pourrais certainement obtenir un rendez-vous.
I could certainly get an appointment.

Pourrais-tu me passer le sel?
Could you pass me the salt?

Il pourrait aller à l'université s'il le voulait.
He could go to university if he wanted to.

Nous pourrions manger chinois pour changer.
We could eat Chinese for a change.

Pourriez-vous l'épeler pour moi, s'il-vous-plaît?
Could you spell it for me, please?

Ils pourraient gagner cette année.
They could win this year.

Here's how to form the Conditionnel Présent of pouvoir:

pourr- + endings of Imparfait: -ais, -ais, -ait, -ions, -iez, -aient

The je form has the same pronunciation as in Futur Simple. Look for the context : I will have to vs I could!

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Conditionnel Présent

Examples and resources

Ils pourraient gagner cette année.
They could win this year.

Je pourrais certainement obtenir un rendez-vous.
I could certainly get an appointment.

Pourriez-vous l'épeler pour moi, s'il-vous-plaît?
Could you spell it for me, please?

Nous pourrions manger chinois pour changer.
We could eat Chinese for a change.

Il pourrait aller à l'université s'il le voulait.
He could go to university if he wanted to.

Pourrais-tu me passer le sel?
Could you pass me the salt?

Q&A Forum 3 questions, 5 answers

DamienB1Kwiziq community member

Futur simple Vs conditionnel present

The tip says to decide between je form for future simple and conditionnel present for pouvoir by comparing 'i will have to' with 'i could'. I thought 'i will have to' is 'je devrais' and future simple for pouvoir would translate to 'i will be able to'

Asked 1 year ago

Like0Answer1

ChrisC1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor Correct answer

You are correct, Damien:

Je devrai ranger ma chambre. -- I will have to clean up my room.
Je pourrai ranger ma chambre. -- I will be able to clean up my room.

Je devrais ranger ma chambre. -- I should clean up my room.
Je pourrais ranger ma chambre. -- I would be able to clean up my room.

P.S.: Note the addidional "-s" in the conditional.

Like01 year ago

Damien asked:View original

Futur simple Vs conditionnel present

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GrahamC1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Is it correct that if you use pouvoir in the conditional present, the following verb is always in the infinitive?

Asked 1 year ago

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ChrisC1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor Correct answer

All modal verbs like, pouvoir or devoir require the infinitive, no matter which tense or mode they are in.

Je peux t'appeler. / Je pourrais t'appeler.

Like01 year ago

GrahamC1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Thank you

Like01 year ago

Graham asked:View original

Is it correct that if you use pouvoir in the conditional present, the following verb is always in the infinitive?

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KevinB1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Is the point of this lesson that the conditional of pouvoir is used to express possibility?

Is the point of this lesson that the conditional of pouvoir is used to express possibility? I don't grasp the difference between "pouvez-vous m'aider" and "pourriez-vous m'aider", or would you just not say the first one?

Asked 2 years ago

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AurélieKwiziq team member

Bonjour Kevin ! "Pouvez-vous m'aider ?" means "Can you help me?", whereas "Pourriez-vous m'aider ?" means "Could you help me?" Just like in English, both forms are correct, but the second one is more polite, as the use of the conditional makes it a bit less direct. I hope that's helpful! À bientôt !

Like32 years ago

KevinB1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Ah, thank you--very helpful!

Like02 years ago

Kevin asked:View original

Is the point of this lesson that the conditional of pouvoir is used to express possibility?

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Conjugate pouvoir in Le Conditionnel Présent = could (conditional mood)

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Conditionnel Présent

Examples and resources

Q&A Forum 3 questions, 5 answers

Futur simple Vs conditionnel present

Futur simple Vs conditionnel present

Is it correct that if you use pouvoir in the conditional present, the following verb is always in the infinitive?

Is it correct that if you use pouvoir in the conditional present, the following verb is always in the infinitive?

Is the point of this lesson that the conditional of pouvoir is used to express possibility?

Is the point of this lesson that the conditional of pouvoir is used to express possibility?

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