Questions et négation · conditionnel
1 · A spoken question keeps subject–verb order
In conversation, the question comes through your voice and the context. Keep the subject before the conditional verb.
Vous pourriez répéter, s’il vous plaît ?Could you repeat that, please?
2 · A question opener keeps subject–verb order
Put est-ce que before the subject. Before a vowel, write est-ce qu’. Choose this frame or inversion for the same question.
Est-ce que tu voudrais participer ?Would you like to take part?
Est-ce qu’elle pourrait nous aider ?Could she help us?
3 · Inversion needs a hyphen
Put the subject pronoun after the conditional verb. Third-person singular forms already end in t, so write pourrait-elle with one hyphen.
Pourriez-vous préciser votre idée ?Could you explain your idea more clearly?
Serait-il disponible lundi ?Would he be available on Monday?
4 · Build the negative around the conditional verb
Use n’ before a vowel. A following infinitive stays outside this frame. In careful writing, keep both halves of the negative.
Je ne voudrais pas interrompre la discussion.I wouldn’t like to interrupt the discussion.
Je n’accepterais pas cette proposition.I wouldn’t accept this proposal.
5 · A pronoun stays with its verb
When le is the object of faire, put it before that verb. The pattern changes when faire follows vouloir.
Je ne le ferais pas.I wouldn’t do it.
Je ne voudrais pas le faire.I wouldn’t like to do it.
6 · A negative question can press for agreement
A negative question can suggest that you expect a solution. For a straightforward request, the positive question is often enough.
Ne pourriez-vous pas attendre un peu ?Couldn’t you wait a little?
Pourriez-vous attendre un peu ?Could you wait a little?