I thought with occupations there was no article prior to the occupation. Je suis médecin, not je suis un medecin. Is this an exception?
Look at these examples of Conditionnel passé:
Conjugating avoir, faire and être in Conditionnel passé is easy:
See other lessons on Conditionnel passé:
Conjugate regular -er, -ir, -dre verbs (+ avoir) in Le Conditionnel Passé (past conditional)
Conjugate verbs (+ être) in Le Conditionnel Passé (past conditional)
Conjugate devoir in Le Conditionnel Passé = should have (past conditional)
Conjugate pouvoir in Le Conditionnel Passé = could have (past conditional)
Learn more about these related French grammar topics
Examples and resources
Q&A Forum 5 questions, 12 answers
Well spotted! Heather,
Although when you are talking about your job ( profession) you would never use the indefinite article when you are talking about a wish like here, you could use one -
Je suis infirmière mais j'aurais voulu/préféré être (un) docteur
Sometimes, the language rules are illogical just as in this case.
Hope this helps!
Heather asked:View original
J’aurais voulu être un auteur.
I thought with occupations there was no article prior to the occupation. Je suis médecin, not je suis un medecin. Is this an exception?
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KeithKwiziq community member
Past conditional
Why is it 'Elle aurait eu froid sans son manteau' and not 'aurait été froid'?
Thank you.
Asked 5 months ago
Hi Keith,
It is because to be cold is ‘avoir froid‘.
It would be the same for to be hot which is,
’avoir chaud ‘-——> “ Elle aurait eu chaud “
for ‘she would have been hot’ .
Keith asked:View original
Past conditional
Why is it 'Elle aurait eu froid sans son manteau' and not 'aurait été froid'?
Thank you.
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LeeKwiziq community member
Elles auraient eu un chien si elles avaient pu. Why is it "elles avaient pu " and not " elles auraient pu " Is this not a 'Past conditional "
Is this phrase not a 'Past conditional " structure?
Asked 11 months ago
In a standard "si"-clause, the conditional is in the main clause of the sentence.
The three versions of the conditional clause are:
If I can, I'll buy a car. -- Si je peux, j'achèterai une voiture. Si clause: present tense -- main clause: future tense (or present tense)
If I were rich, I would by a car. -- Si j'étais riche, j'acheterais une voiture.Si clause: imparfait -- main clause: present conditional
If I had been rich, I would have bought a car. -- Si j'avais été riche, j'aurais acheté une voiture.Si clause: plusqueparfait -- main clause: past conditional
If you look at the English versions, they actually follow the French!
Hi Andrey,
The car example with a wish is not a good one for the future, here is a better one -
Si je reviens à temps, j'achèterai la voiture = If I come back in time, I'll buy the car
Si je peux, je viendrai vous voir = If I can, I'll come and see you
p.s.
You cannot say 'si je pourrais' in French it will be -
Si je pouvais, je viendrais vous voir = If I could, I would come and see you
In this case 'I could' is a past tense, meaning, if I was able to
Si + present ----> future
Si + imperfect ----> conditional
Hope this helps!
CécileKwiziq team member
Hi Lee,
Si j'avais vu votre question, j'aurais répondu !
If I had seen your question, I would have answered!
AndreyKwiziq community member
Hi Chris! Isn't it "Si je pourrai, j'achèterai une voiture" rather
than "Si je peux, j'achèterai une voiture" if we are talking about a
situation in the future? Thank you in advance!
Lee asked:View original
Elles auraient eu un chien si elles avaient pu. Why is it "elles avaient pu " and not " elles auraient pu " Is this not a 'Past conditional "
Is this phrase not a 'Past conditional " structure?
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Chris Kwiziq Q&A super contributor
Hi Pauline, youeed to quote the entire sentence for me to be able to give you some advice.
-- Chris.
SCKwiziq community member
Why is "Vous auriez préparé un gateau si vous aviez su" not an acceptable response, i.e., why must it be "auriez fait"?
SCKwiziq community member
Why is "Vous auriez préparé un gateau si vous aviez su" not an acceptable response, i.e., why must it be "auriez fait"?
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KevinKwiziq Q&A regular contributor
Liaison between the auxiliary and the past participle?
Is there no liaison in "nous aurions été déçus" between aurions and été? I didn't hear it in the recording.
Asked 3 years ago
AurélieKwiziq team member
Bonjour Kevin !
I would say that, though I cannot see why the liaison here would be grammatically wrong, it does sound off to a French ear (such as mine), and people wouldn't pronounce it.
I guess it's probably because it sounds a bit redundant given the previous liaison between "nous" and "aurons".
Usually, we won't pronounce the liaison between the auxiliary and the past participle.
I hope that's helpful !
Kwiziq community member
Is there a lesson on when to make liasons (or not?)
Even though I live in France, I can't find any pattern to this.
Kevin asked:View original
Liaison between the auxiliary and the past participle?
Is there no liaison in "nous aurions été déçus" between aurions and été? I didn't hear it in the recording.
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