B1 French GrammarSubjunctive and Conditional
Master the French subjunctive mood for expressing wishes and emotions, and the conditional for hypothetical situations.
1Conditional Formation
The conditional uses future stem + imparfait endings: -ais, -ais, -ait, -ions, -iez, -aient.
Conditional Endings
| Person | Ending | Parler | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| je | -ais | parlerais | I would speak |
| tu | -ais | parlerais | you would speak |
| il/elle | -ait | parlerait | he/she would speak |
| nous | -ions | parlerions | we would speak |
| vous | -iez | parleriez | you would speak |
| ils/elles | -aient | parleraient | they would speak |
Examples
Je voudrais un café.
I would like a coffee.
polite request
Nous aimerions voyager.
We would like to travel.
wish/desire
Il pourrait nous aider.
He could help us.
possibility
Ce serait super!
That would be great!
être → ser-
2Si-Clauses with Conditional
Use si + imparfait in the condition, and conditional in the result clause.
Si-Clause Patterns
| Type | Si-Clause | Result | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Possible | si + présent | futur/présent | Si tu viens, on mangera |
| Unreal present | si + imparfait | conditionnel | Si j'avais, j'achèterais |
| Unreal past | si + plus-que-parfait | cond. passé | Si j'avais su... |
Examples
Si j'avais de l'argent, j'achèterais une voiture.
If I had money, I would buy a car.
unreal present
Si tu venais, on serait content.
If you came, we would be happy.
imparfait + conditional
Si elle étudiait plus, elle réussirait.
If she studied more, she would succeed.
hypothetical
Que ferais-tu si tu gagnais au loto?
What would you do if you won the lottery?
hypothetical question
3Subjunctive Formation
Form the subjunctive from the ils/elles stem + endings: -e, -es, -e, -ions, -iez, -ent. Usually after 'que'.
Subjunctive Endings
| Person | Ending | Parler | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| que je | -e | parle | that I speak |
| que tu | -es | parles | that you speak |
| qu'il/elle | -e | parle | that he/she speak |
| que nous | -ions | parlions | that we speak |
| que vous | -iez | parliez | that you speak |
| qu'ils/elles | -ent | parlent | that they speak |
Examples
Il faut que je parte.
I have to leave.
il faut que + subjunctive
Je veux que tu viennes.
I want you to come.
vouloir que + subj.
Il est important que nous comprenions.
It's important that we understand.
importance + subj.
Bien que ce soit difficile, j'essaie.
Although it's difficult, I try.
bien que + subjunctive
4When to Use Subjunctive
Use subjunctive after expressions of emotion, doubt, wish, necessity, and certain conjunctions.
Subjunctive Triggers
| Category | Expressions |
|---|---|
| Emotion | Je suis content que, J'ai peur que |
| Will/Wish | Je veux que, Je souhaite que |
| Doubt | Je doute que, Il est possible que |
| Necessity | Il faut que, Il est nécessaire que |
| Conjunctions | bien que, avant que, pour que |
Examples
Je suis content que tu sois là.
I'm happy that you're here.
emotion + subj.
Je doute qu'il vienne.
I doubt that he'll come.
doubt + subj.
Avant que tu partes, appelle-moi.
Before you leave, call me.
avant que + subj.
Pour que tu comprennes, je répète.
So that you understand, I'll repeat.
pour que + subj.