Dialogue
À condition que: say “provided that” in French
Make an agreement with à condition que, choose the subjunctive and practise a conversation about sharing work on a presentation.
- B1
- 8 lines
- Practice mode
- Learn this in the B1 notebook →
In short
À condition que means “provided that” or “on condition that”. Follow it with a subject and the subjunctive: Je participe à condition que nous ayons un plan clair. The condition says what needs to happen for you to agree.
Yellow the idea to rememberBlue French to learn
Tu peux présenter notre travail à condition que tu cites toute l’équipe.
You can present our work provided that you credit the whole team.
The permission is to present; the requirement is to credit everyone.
| Infinitive | After the connector | English |
|---|---|---|
| être | à condition que ce soit clair | provided that it is clear |
| avoir | à condition que nous ayons le temps | provided that we have time |
| faire | à condition que tu fasses ta part | provided that you do your share |
| pouvoir | à condition que chacun puisse participer | provided that everyone can take part |
Lina and Marc are preparing a presentation. Lina can coordinate it, but she wants the roles settled first. Read both parts, then use practice mode to answer as Lina.
- Marc
Tu veux coordonner notre présentation ?
English
Would you like to coordinate our presentation?
- Lina
D’accord, à condition que nous ayons un plan clair.
Agree, provided that you have a clear plan.
English
All right, provided that we have a clear plan.
- Marc
Je peux préparer les exemples. Tu t’occupes de l’introduction ?
English
I can prepare the examples. Will you handle the introduction?
- Lina
Oui, à condition que tu m’envoies tes exemples avant jeudi.
Accept, provided that he sends his examples before Thursday.
English
Yes, provided that you send me your examples before Thursday.
- Marc
Et pour la conclusion, on la prépare ensemble ?
English
And shall we prepare the conclusion together?
- Lina
Oui. On peut se retrouver vendredi, à condition que tout le monde soit disponible.
Suggest Friday, provided that everyone is available.
English
Yes. We can meet on Friday, provided that everyone is available.
- Marc
Je vais demander aux autres. Je te confirme demain.
English
I’ll ask the others. I’ll confirm tomorrow.
- Lina
Parfait. À condition que chacun fasse sa part, nous serons prêts lundi.
Say you will be ready on Monday, provided that everyone does their share.
English
Perfect. Provided that everyone does their share, we’ll be ready on Monday.
Who agrees, and who meets the condition?
Je participe à condition que tu viennes aussi.
I’ll take part provided that you come too.
The subjects can differ: je participe and tu viennes. They can also be the same: Je participe à condition que je puisse choisir mon rôle. With the same person doing both actions, a shorter option is à condition de + infinitive: Je participe à condition de pouvoir choisir mon rôle.
| Connector | Example |
|---|---|
| si | Je participe si tu viens. |
| à condition que | Je participe à condition que tu viennes. |