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Si + present, future: French conditions on one sheet

Edited by Chris Lee · Updated · About the library

Use si tu viens, je préparerai and other open conditions. Compare if with whether, check clause order and try four short questions.

In short

For a possible future condition, use si + present, then a future result: Si tu viens demain, je préparerai le déjeuner. The present viens refers to tomorrow because it belongs to the condition.

Yellow the idea to rememberBlue French to learn

A host preparing lunch at a French kitchen table while glancing toward the entrance for a visitor.
A possible visit gives context to si tu viens demain. Illustration: Atelier

Si + présent · les projets

1 · Put the condition in the present

Use the present after conditional si, even when the condition concerns tomorrow.

Si j’ai le temps demain, je viendrai.If I have time tomorrow, I will come.

Si tu réussis, nous fêterons ça.If you succeed, we will celebrate.

2 · Put the planned result in the future

The future tells the listener what will follow. Regular future endings are -ai, -as, -a, -ons, -ez, -ont.

je feraiI will do
nous pourronswe will be able to
elle viendrashe will come

Si elle accepte, nous commencerons lundi.If she agrees, we will start on Monday.

3 · Either clause can come first

Keep each tense with its own clause. Use a comma after an opening condition.

Si tu es disponible, je t’appellerai.If you are available, I will call you.

Je t’appellerai si tu es disponible.I will call you if you are available.

4 · An instruction is possible too

Choose an imperative when the result is an instruction. Two present forms can describe a regular result.

Si tu as besoin d’aide, appelle-moi.If you need help, call me.

Si tu appuies ici, la fenêtre s’ouvre.If you press here, the window opens.

5 · If and whether do different jobs

After je me demande, si introduces a question meaning “whether”. A future form fits that question.

Si Léa vient, je resterai.If Léa comes, I will stay.

Je me demande si Léa viendra.I wonder whether Léa will come.

Which tense goes after si for the future?

S’il est libre, il viendra. Si elle est libre, elle viendra.

If he is free, he will come. If she is free, she will come.

Si becomes s’ before il and ils. It stays si before elle: si elle.

Question 1No account needed
Complete the condition with the present of venir.Si tu ___ demain, je préparerai le déjeuner.

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

viens. Conditional si takes the present viens here. Préparerai gives the future result.

Question 2No account needed
Complete the planned result with the future of pouvoir.Si elle accepte, nous ___ commencer lundi.

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

pourrons. The instruction asks for the future: nous pourrons. The condition is already in the present.

Question 3No account needed
Which sentence asks whether Léa will come?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

Je me demande si Léa viendra.. Je me demande si introduces an indirect question. The other options introduce conditions.

Question 4No account needed
Choose the correct elision.

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

S’il est libre, il viendra.. Use s’il before il. Before elle, keep both words: si elle.

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