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The Conditional

The conditional is used in hypothetical situations and as a form of politeness. Reference to the English is helpful in this case as the use of the conditional is generally the same in both languages.

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Grammatical Notes

Ex. #1 - Vocab.?

Ex. #2 - Vocab.?

Ex. #3 - Vocab.?

Ex. #5 - Vocab.?

Ex. #6 - Vocab.?

Ex. #7 - Vocab.?

Ex. #8 - Vocab.?

Ex. #9 - Vocab.?

Ex. #10 - Vocab.?

1 valid answers

Not a valid choice.

Improper choice of verbal form (expression of politeness).

Try again.

Explanations?

Back to Ex. 1

Correct!

Proper choice of verbal form (expression of politeness).

As in English, the conditional is used as a polite form in French ('I would like...'= je voudrais...)

Back to Ex. 1

Not a valid choice.

Improper choice of verbal form (expression of politeness).

Try again.

Explanations?

Back to Ex. 1

Correct!

Proper choice of verbal form (unrealized situation).

For hypothetical situations in the past (that often express a sense of regret), the si clause is in the pluperfect and the unrealized outcome is in the past conditional. (eg: Si j'avais su, je vous aurais prévenu.) (='would have warned')

Back to Ex. 2

Not a valid choice.

Improper choice of verbal form (unrealized situation).

Try again.

Explanations?

Back to Ex. 2

Not a valid choice.

Improper choice of verbal form (unrealized situation).

Try again.

Explanations?

Back to Ex. 2

Not a valid choice.

Improper choice of verbal form (hypothetical situation).

Try again.

Explanations?

Back to Ex. 3

Not a valid choice.

Improper choice of verbal form (hypothetical situation).

Try again.

Explanations?

Back to Ex. 3

Correct!

Proper choice of verbal form (hypothetical situation).

In hypothetical situations (contrary to fact), the si clause is in the imperfect, and the hypothetical outcome is in the conditional. (eg: Si j'étais riche, j'achèterais un château.) (= 'would buy')

Back to Ex. 3

Correct!

Proper choice of verbal form (expression of politeness).

As in English, the conditional is used as a polite form in French ('I would like...'= je voudrais...)

Back to Ex. 4

Not a valid choice.

Improper formation of the conditional.

Try again.

Explanations?

Back to Ex. 4

Not a valid choice.

Improper choice of verbal form (expression of politeness).

Try again.

Explanations?

Back to Ex. 4

Not a valid choice.

Improper choice of verbal form (hypothetical situation).

Try again.

Explanations?

Back to Ex. 5

Correct!

Proper choice of verbal form (hypothetical situation).

Back to Ex. 5

Not a valid choice.

Improper choice of verbal form (hypothetical situation).

Try again.

Explanations?

Back to Ex. 5

Not a valid choice.

Improper choice of verbal form (unrealized situation).

Try again.

Explanations?

Back to Ex. 6

Not a valid choice.

Improper formation of the past conditional.

Try again.

Explanations?

Back to Ex. 6

Correct!

Proper choice of verbal form (unrealized situation).

Back to Ex. 6

Correct!

Proper choice of verbal form (expression of politeness).

As in English, the conditional is used as a polite form in French ('I would like...'= je voudrais...)

Back to Ex. 7

Not a valid choice.

Improper formation of the conditional.

Try again.

Explanations?

Back to Ex. 7

Not a valid choice.

Improper choice of verbal form (expression of politeness).

Try again.

Explanations?

Back to Ex. 7

Not a valid choice.

Improper choice of verbal form (hypothetical situation).

Try again.

Explanations?

Back to Ex. 8

Correct!

Proper choice of verbal form (hypothetical situation).

Back to Ex. 8

Not a valid choice.

Improper choice of verbal form (hypothetical situation).

Try again.

Explanations?

Back to Ex. 8

Correct!

Proper choice of verbal form (unrealized situation).

Back to Ex. 9

Not a valid choice.

Improper choice of verbal form (unrealized situation).

Try again.

Explanations?

Back to Ex. 9

Not a valid choice.

Improper choice of verbal form (unrealized situation).

Try again.

Explanations?

Back to Ex. 9

Not a valid choice.

Improper choice of verbal form (expression of politeness).

Try again.

Explanations?

Back to Ex. 10

Not a valid choice.

Improper choice of verbal form (expression of politeness).

Try again.

Explanations?

Back to Ex. 10

Correct!

Proper choice of verbal form (expression of politeness).

As in English, the conditional is used as a polite form in French ('I would like...'= je voudrais...)

Back to Ex. 10

Grammatical notes for the exercises in this page.

The conditional is used in hypothetical situations and as a form of politeness. Reference to the English is helpful in this case as the use of the conditional is generally the same in both languages.

The items covered are:

1)- The formation of the conditional.

The conditional is formed on the root of the infinitive (like the future) with the endings of the imperfect. (eg: je marcherais, tu marcherais, il marcherait...) Verbs that are irregular in the future maintain that irregularity in the conditional. The endings are always regular. (eg: je pourrai =>je pourrais)

Ex. 4 Ex. 7

2)- The choice of verbal form (expression of politeness).

As in English, the conditional is used as a polite form in French ('I would like...'= je voudrais...)

Ex. 1 Ex. 4 Ex. 7 Ex. 10

3)- The choice of verbal form (hypothetical situation).

Ex. 3 Ex. 5 Ex. 8

4)- The formation of the past conditional.

The past conditional is formed with the present conditional of the auxilary être or avoir followed by the past participle. Rules for determining the correct choice of auxilary and the agreement of the past participle are the same as for other compound tenses. (cf. The passé composé vs. the imparfaitI and II)

Ex. 6