Sentence builder

Build French if-sentences: si j'avais, je ferais

Si j'ai le temps, je viendrai. Si j'avais de l'argent, je voyagerais. Tap the tiles to build real and imaginary conditions with the right tenses.

In short

Two common patterns: a real possibility uses si + present, then future or present (si j'ai le temps, je viendrai). An imaginary situation uses si + imparfait, then conditional (si j'avais de l'argent, je voyagerais). Never put the future or conditional right after si.

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A person holding an umbrella at a doorway overlooking a rainy courtyard.
An umbrella brings s’il pleut to life. Illustration: Atelier
Study first
Typesi + …main clause
realprésentfutur / présent / impératif
imaginaryimparfaitconditionnel

Build the sentence

Tap the words in the right order. Tap a placed word to send it back.

  1. If I have time, I'll come.

  2. If you want, we can leave tomorrow.

  3. If I had money, I'd travel.

  4. If she lived in Paris, she'd go to the theatre.

  5. What would you do if you won the lottery?

  6. If we were rich, we'd buy a house.

  7. If it rains, take your umbrella.

Which tenses go in a French si clause?

The clauses can swap places: je voyagerais si j'avais de l'argent. A comma separates them when si comes first. Si elides only before il and ils: s'il pleut, but si elle vient. The pattern for regrets (si j'avais su, je serais venu) uses the plus-que-parfait and the past conditional.

  • Si j'aurais le temps…Si j'avais le temps…

    No conditional after si.

  • Si il pleut…S'il pleut…

    Elision before il.

Question 1No account needed
"If I were you, I'd say no."

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

Si j'étais toi, je dirais non.. Imparfait + conditionnel.

Question 2No account needed
"If it's nice, we'll eat outside."

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

S'il fait beau, on mangera dehors.. Present + future. Check it in the text above.