Camille Witt et Claire Tadeo

Sentences using si have two parts. One clause stating a condition or possibility, and a second clause naming a result depending upon the condition. Ex: Si le soleil apparaît, la neige fondra. (If the sun comes out, the snow will melt)

The si clause can also be written the opposite way with the result first and si clause behind it. Ex: La neige fondra si le soleil apparaît.

In a clause beginning with "si," only three tenses are generally possible: present, imperfect, and pluperfect. 1. si + present, followed by future 2. si + imperfect, followed by present conditional 3. si + pluperfect, followed by past conditional

Si clauses are divided into types based on the likeliness of what is stated in the result clause: what does, will, would, or would have happened if. Ex Si tu conduis, je paierai.

This construction is used to give an order that is dependent on something. The present follows si; it is the situation that is required before the other action becomes a command. Ex Si tu étudies, tu seras intelligent Si tu étudies would not be a proper sentence.

Examples Si j'étais riche, j'achèterais une maison. Si tu peux, viens me voir. Si javais le temps, je le ferais.