Encore faut-il · la condition qui reste
1 · Possibility, then requirement
First state what looks possible. Then name the step or condition still needed.
Le projet paraît réalisable. Encore faut-il disposer du temps nécessaire.The project seems feasible. We still need to have the necessary time.
2 · An action: add an infinitive
The person who must act is understood from the context. The finite verb is faut; the action stays in the infinitive.
Nous pouvons améliorer ce texte. Encore faut-il le relire attentivement.We can improve this text. We still need to reread it carefully.
3 · A named subject: que + subjunctive
Use a clause to say exactly who must do something, or which condition must hold. Soit, aient and puissent make the subjunctive visible.
Nous pouvons avancer. Encore faut-il que chacun soit prêt.We can move forward. Everyone still needs to be ready.
La méthode est utile. Encore faut-il que les équipes puissent l’appliquer.The method is useful. The teams still need to be able to apply it.
4 · Keep faut-il and the infinitive’s object in place
Il is the impersonal subject of falloir. It stays il whatever the following subject. Put an infinitive’s object pronoun directly before that infinitive.
Cette erreur peut être corrigée. Encore faut-il la reconnaître.This error can be corrected. It still needs to be acknowledged.
5 · The conditional: encore faudrait-il
Faudrait is the conditional of falloir. The expression can make the requirement more tentative, or suggest doubt that it will be met.
On pourrait annoncer les résultats. Encore faudrait-il qu’ils soient fiables.We could announce the results. They would still need to be reliable.