French First Conditional Si Clauses

French First Conditional «Si Clauses»

This French Si Clauses first Conditional free lesson will teach you how to use the first conditional type of si clause. Even though you see the word conditional in the title, this particular kind of si clause does not involve the conditional tense.

Once you’ve studied and learned how to use the 1st conditional, you may be interested in learning the 2nd conditional or 3rd conditional as well.

👉 This written lesson accompanies my video tutorial at the bottom of this post 👈

What is covered in this French first conditional lesson:

Definition of a si clause
Tenses used in the first conditional
Examples for each type of si clause
Six quizlet study sets

What is a si clause?

The word si means if in English. Si clauses, also known as conditionals or conditional sentences, are used to express what could happen if some condition is met.

Si clauses indicate possibilities which may or may not actually happen. They refer to the present, past, and future. These conditional sentences have two parts: the condition, or si clause, and the result clause which indicates what will happen if the condition of the si clause is met.

The tense of the result clause depends on the tense of the si clause. In other words, the tense of the two clauses follow a pattern that cannot be modified.

What tenses are used in the first conditional?

Let’s begin with si clauses that involve the present tense. The si part must always be in the present tense.

You can make the following combinations of tenses:

Present + Present

Practice present + present si clauses on Quizlet.

This is technically a si clause, but it’s not really used that much to be honest with you. I’m going to show it to you anyway, but just know that when using the present / present formula you’re speaking in very general terms.

Si tu ne veux pas y aller, tu restes à la maison.
If you don’t want you go, you stay at the house.
Si on a faim, on mange.
If we’re hungry, we eat.

Present + Future

Practice present + future si clauses on quizlet

Lesson on forming the futur simple

If you haven’t learned the futur simple yet it is perfectly fine to use the futur proche. I’ll show you both in the examples. The futur simple is definitely more common and sounds better, but if you haven’t learned it yet you have to take things one step at a time.

Si tu parles français tous les jours, tu auras un meilleur niveau.
If you speak French every day, you will have a better level.
Si tu viens à la réunion avec moi, tu vas mieux comprendre.
If you come to the meeting with me, you are going to understand better.

Present + Imperative (Command)

Practice present + imperative si clauses on quizlet

Lesson on forming the imperative (giving commands)

The result clause and the si clause can be reversed and that won’t make any difference. Just make sure to use the present tense in the si clause. You can reverse the order of the clauses in any type of si clause.