How to Use the French Past Conditional + Chart with Examples

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Knowing how to use the French past conditional, also known as le conditionnel passé, is important for many reasons, and here are the top two:

  1. Expressing hypothetical actions in the past: Firstly, the past conditional is used to express hypothetical actions or events that would have occurred in the past under certain conditions. It allows you to talk about what might have happened if certain circumstances would have been different. This is particularly useful in storytelling or discussing hypothetical scenarios.
  2. Talking about conditional outcomes in the past: Secondly, when discussing conditional situations in the past, the past conditional is used to describe the outcome that would have resulted from a certain condition. It helps to convey the consequences of hypothetical actions or events. For instance, “If I had won the lottery, I would have traveled around the world.” In this case, the use of the past conditional illustrates the hypothetical outcome based on a specific condition.
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French Past Conditional

French Past ConditionalFormation with “Avoir”Formation with “Être”Example Sentence (with “Avoir”)Example Sentence (with “Être”)
J’ / JeauraisseraisJ’aurais aimé venir à la fête hier.

I would have liked to come to the party yesterday.		Je serais venu(e) à la fête hier.

I would have come to the party yesterday.
TuauraisseraisTu aurais dû lui parler plus tôt.

You should have talked to him/her earlier.		Tu serais allé(e) à la plage hier.

You would have gone to the beach yesterday.
Il/Elle/OnauraitseraitIl aurait aimé voyager à l’étranger.

He would have like to travel abroad.		Elle serait partie en vacances hier.

She would have left on vacation yesterday.
NousaurionsserionsNous aurions dû prendre cette décision plus tôt.

We should have made (taken) this decision earlier.		Nous serions arrivé(e)s plus tôt à la réunion.

We would have arrived at the meeting earlier.
VousauriezseriezVous auriez pu nous aider hier soir.

You could have helped us last night.		Vous seriez venu(e)(s) au concert avec nous.

You would have come to the concert with us.
Ils/EllesauraientseraientIls auraient aimé participer à l’événement.

They would have liked to take part in the event.		Elles seraient restées plus longtemps à la fête.

They would have stayed longer at the party.
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How to Use “Même” in French

The French word “même” is super versatile, and it can be applied in many different contexts with numerous interpretations. Let’s take a look at some examples demonstrating the different ways to use “même” in French:

  1. Adjective: “Même” can function as an adjective, meaning “same” or “very.” It agrees in gender and number with the noun it modifies.
  • C’est la même voiture.
  • It’s the same car.
  • Il est très gentil, même trop gentil.
  • He’s very kind, even too kind.

2. Pronoun: As a pronoun, “même” often translates to “same” or “self” in English. Its usage can vary depending on the sentence structure and the intended meaning.

  • J’ai acheté une robe rouge, et ma sœur a acheté la même.
  • I bought a red dress, and my sister bought the same one.

Here, “la même” refers to the dress, emphasizing that the sister bought the same dress as the speaker.

  • Je travaille pour moi-même.
  • I work for myself.
  • Il a écrit le livre lui-même.
  • He wrote the book himself.

In these sentences, “moi-même” and “lui-même” refer back to the subjects (the speaker and “il”) and emphasize that they perform the action on their own.

3. Adverb: “Même” can function as an adverb, meaning “even” or “still.” It emphasizes a statement or intensifies a quality.

  • Elle travaille même le dimanche.
  • She works even on Sundays.
  • C’est vraiment difficile, même pour un expert.
  • It’s really difficult, even for an expert.

4. Conjunction: “Même” can be used as a conjunction, meaning “even if” or “even though.” It introduces a clause that expresses a contrast or an unexpected outcome.

  • Même s’il pleut, je sortirai.
  • Even if it rains, I will go out.
  • Même si elle est fatiguée, elle continue à travailler.
  • Even though she’s tired, she keeps working.

5. Expletive: “Même” can also function as an expletive, meaning it has no specific meaning but serves to emphasize a statement. It is used to reinforce an idea or draw attention to something.

  • Je l’ai vu, même hier soir.
  • I saw him, even last night.
  • C’est (Ce n’est) même pas drôle!
  • It’s not even funny!

6. Comparisons: “Même” can be used in comparative constructions to indicate similarity or equality. It is used to express that two or more things are the same or similar.

  • Tu as les mêmes chaussures que moi.
  • You have the same shoes as me.
  • Elles ont les mêmes yeux bleus.
  • They have the same blue eyes.
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Adjective“Même” can function as an adjective, meaning “same” or “very.” C’est la même voiture.It’s the same car.
It agrees in gender and number with the noun it modifies. Il est très gentil, même trop gentil. He’s very kind, even too kind.
PronounAs a pronoun, “même” often translates to “same” or “self” in English. J’ai acheté une robe rouge, et ma sœur a acheté la même.I bought a red dress, and my sister bought the same one.
Its usage can vary depending on the sentence structure and the intended meaning.Il a écrit le livre lui-même.He wrote the book himself.
Adverb“Même” can function as an adverb, meaning “even” or “still.”Elle travaille même le dimanche.She works even on Sundays.
It emphasizes a statement or intensifies a quality. C’est vraiment difficile, même pour un expert.It’s really difficult, even for an expert.
  Conjunction“Même” can be used as a conjunction, meaning “even if” or “even though.” Même s’il pleut, je sortirai.Even if it rains, I will go out.
It introduces a clause that expresses a contrast or an unexpected outcome. Même si elle est fatiguée, elle continue à travailler.Even though she’s tired, she keeps working.
Expletive“Même” can also function as an expletive, meaning it has no specific meaning but serves to emphasize a statement.Je l’ai vu, même hier soir.I saw him, even last night.
It is used to reinforce an idea or draw attention to something.C’est (Ce n’est) même pas drôle!It’s not even funny!
Comparisons“Même” can be used in comparative constructions to indicate similarity or equality.Tu as les mêmes chaussures que moi.You have the same shoes as me.
It is used to express that two or more things are the same or similar. Elles ont les mêmes yeux bleus.They have the same blue eyes. 
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Forming and Using the French Plus-Que-Parfait Tense – Top Tips

The French plus-que-parfait, also known as the pluperfect, is an important tense to learn as it allows you to express actions or events that occurred before another past action. Understanding and using the plus-que-parfait adds depth and precision to your storytelling and conversations in French.

Fortunately, forming the plus-que-parfait becomes easier if you have a solid understanding of the passé composé, as both tenses share similarities in their auxiliary verb construction.

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Formation of Le Plus-Que-Parfait

1. The plus-que-parfait tense is formed by using the auxiliary verb “avoir” or “être” in the imparfait tense followed by the past participle of the main verb.

2. To form the imparfait tense of “avoir” or “être,” use the appropriate stem (“av-” or “ét-“) followed by the imparfait endings (-ais, -ais, -ait, -ions, -iez, -aient).

3. In negative sentences, place “ne” before the auxiliary verb and “pas” after it.

4. In “inversion type” questions, invert the subject and the auxiliary verb, placing a hyphen between them.

5. Pay attention to the agreement of the past participle with the subject in gender and number when using “être” as the auxiliary verb.

When To Use Le Plus-Que-Parfait

1. Use the plus-que-parfait tense to describe an action that occurred before another past action or event.

2. Use it when expressing a completed action that happened before another specific past event in the narrative.

3. When narrating a story or describing a sequence of events in the past, use the plus-que-parfait to express an action that happened earlier than the main past action.

4. When using time expressions such as “quand” (when), “lorsque” (when), “après que” (after), “avant que” (before), or “dès que” (as soon as) the plus-que-parfait is often used to describe the action that occurred before the main event.

5. When translating “had + past participle” in English, use the plus-que-parfait tense in French.

6. The plus-que-parfait can be used to add depth and nuance to your writing, showing a detailed timeline of past events.

7. Use the plus-que-parfait to provide background information or context for a past event or action.

8. In reported speech or indirect speech, the plus-que-parfait is used to express a past action that happened before the reported statement or thought.

9. When expressing a condition in the past, use the plus-que-parfait in si-clauses (if-clauses) followed by the past conditional in the main clause. These are called third conditional si clauses. 

10. Use it to indicate a past action that was completed before another thing that happened at a specific point or time in the past.

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French Teacher Ideas – Last Weeks of School – Back to School

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Are you a French teacher looking for some engaging and enjoyable activities that require minimal preparation for the end of the school year or for back to school?

To help you make the most of the end of the year with your students, here’s my top ten list of fun grammar and vocabulary-based ideas.

You may already have some of these activities ready to go, and remember that there’s nothing wrong with repeating an activity that you did earlier in the year. 

The idea is to keep it very low prep for you!  Whatever you decide to do, end of the year activities are also fantastic for back to school! Tu peux faire d’une pierre deux coups!!

1.  Taboo Games: Students describe a word without using specific related terms, challenging their language abilities.

2.  Jeopardy Games: Create a quiz game with different categories and point values to review grammar and vocabulary concepts.  

3.  Paired Speaking: Assign topics and pair students up to discuss them. This activity encourages collaboration and fluency development.

4.  Conjugation Games like Tic-Tac-Toe: Transform the classic game into a conjugation challenge. Students conjugate verbs to place their X or O, making the game more exciting.

5.  Short Poetry Lesson: Introduce French poetry with a concise lesson and explore famous poems together. Encourage students to write and share their own creations for a creative twist.

6.  Ice Breaker Activities: Begin each class with a quick ice breaker to energize your students and foster a positive learning environment. Try language-related “how well do I know you” games or entertaining French related trivia questions.

7.  Acting Out French Skits: Divide students into groups, and assign them skits to act out in French. This activity enhances pronunciation, comprehension, and teamwork.

8.  Conjugation Games like Rock-Paper-Scissors: Turn a classic hand game into a conjugation battle. Students conjugate verbs and compete against each other, creating a dynamic learning experience.

9.  Quel Dommage Grammar Games: Use the popular card game “Quel Dommage” to reinforce grammar concepts. Students play cards with different sentence structures, creating correct sentences while avoiding “quel dommage” cards.

10.  Dice Games: Use dice to create interactive vocabulary or grammar challenges. Assign a task or question to each number, and students roll the dice to determine their activity.

If you’re looking for ready-made activities for the end of the school year, I’ve got you covered!

Scroll down to see what I have in my store that will save you time and enhance your end of the school year experience. 

When you click on the bundles below, you’ll see everything that is included.  At that point you can choose from the resources that are listed.  You can even pick and choose to create your own customized bundle!

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How to Use “Depuis” in French

“Depuis” is a powerful French adverb, preposition, and conjunction that can be used in various contexts to express time, duration, causality, and more. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced French learner, understanding the different ways to use “depuis” will greatly enhance your language skills. From expressing past actions to indicating a starting point or even conveying a sense of continuity, explore the multitude of possibilities with “depuis” and elevate your French proficiency to new heights.

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Time ReferenceDepuis + Specific point in timeJ’étudie le français depuis 5 ans.I have been studying French for 5 years.
Depuis +DurationIl travaille ici depuis une semaine.He has been working here for a week.
Depuis + Event in the pastJe ne l’ai pas vu depuis la fête.I haven’t seen him since the party.
Cause and EffectDepuis que + VerbDepuis qu’il est arrivé, tout a changé.Since he arrived, everything has changed.
Depuis (cela)Depuis (cela), ilest très prudent.Since then, he has been very cautious.
ComparisonDepuis + Adjective/nounElle est heureuse depuis sa promotion.She has been happy since her promotion.
Depuis +VerbIl est fatigué depuis qu’il a couru.He is tired since he ran.
Source or OriginVenir de +Verb (recent past construction)Il vient de partir depuis l’aéroport.He just left (from) the airport.
Consecutive ActionsDepuis +VerbElle mange depuis qu’elle est rentrée à la maison.She has been eating since she came home.
Spatial ReferenceDepuis + LocationIl observe la mer depuis la terrasse.He is looking at the sea from the terrace.
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Top Ten Tips – French Present Conditional

The French conditional is mostly used in si clauses to describe what would happen if some condition were met.  Be careful about considering the use of the conditional every time you want to say would or could, because some situations call for the imperfect tense.

10 Tips – French Present ConditionalDOWNLOAD PDF

1. Formation: To form the present conditional in French, take the infinitive form of the verb and add the appropriate endings: -ais, -ais, -ait, -ions, -iez, -aient.

2. Use: The present conditional is used to express hypothetical situations, wishes, polite requests, or giving advice. It often (not always) corresponds to the English “would + verb.”

3. Regular verbs: Most verbs in French follow regular patterns when conjugated in the present conditional. For regular -er, -ir, and -re verbs, simply add the conditional endings to the verb stem.

4. Irregular verbs: Some verbs have irregular stems in the present conditional, and they are exactly the same in the futur simple tense. 

5. Agreement: When conjugating verbs ending in –ger or –cer in the present conditional, add an extra “e” before the endings (-eais, -eait, -eaient.) to maintain the soft sound of the preceding consonant.  Do not add an extra “e” before the endings (-ions, iez).

6. Politeness: The present conditional is often used to make polite requests or express politeness. Instead of using the imperative form, you can use the conditional to sound more courteous and formal.

7. Si clauses: The present conditional is commonly used in si clauses to express hypothetical conditions. For example, “Si j’avais plus d’argent, j’achèterais une nouvelle voiture” (If I had more money, I would buy a new car).

8. Expressing wishes: The present conditional is used to express wishes or desires.

  • Je voudrais visiter Paris un jour.
  • I would like to visit Paris one day.

9. Giving advice: The present conditional is also used to give advice in a polite manner.

  • Tu devrais prendre des vacances.
  • You should take a vacation.

10. Accent changes:  Pay attention to the accent changes that occur in some verbs in the present conditional.

  • acheter (j’achèterais)
  • appeler (j’appellerais)
  • jeter (je jetterais)
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Sur – Sous – Au Dessus – En Dessous – Par Dessus – Par Dessous

Mastering the usage of prepositions and adverbs like “sur,” “sous,” “au dessus,” “en dessous,” “par dessus,” and “par dessous” is essential for expressing precise positions and movements in French.

⬇ sᴄʀᴏʟʟ ᴅᴏᴡɴ ғᴏʀ ᴀ ʜᴀɴᴅʏ ᴄʜᴀʀᴛ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ʏᴏᴜ ᴄᴀɴ ᴅᴏᴡɴʟᴏᴀᴅ ⬇

  1. Sur (On, Upon): The preposition “sur” indicates that something is located on or upon something else.
  1. Sous (Under, Beneath): “Sous” is used to express that something is located under or beneath another object.
  1. Au Dessus (Above): “Au dessus” signifies that something is positioned above or over another object.
  1. En Dessous (Below): “En dessous” denotes that something is located below or beneath something else.
  1. Par Dessus (Over): “Par dessus” indicates movement over or across something.
  1. Par Dessous (Underneath): “Par dessous” expresses movement or location underneath something.
chart-sur-sous-au-dessus-en-dessous-etc-1Download Chart
SUR

On, upon, over		FOLLOWED BY  NOUN OR PRONOUNLA POMME EST SUR LA TABLE.

The apple is on the table.
DESSUS

Above, over		NOT FOLLOWED BY
NOUN OR PRONOUN		LA POMME EST DESSUS.

The apple is on (it). 
AU-DESSUS DE


Above, over		FOLLOWED BY 
NOUN OR PRONOUN		LE GRILLE-PAIN EST AU-DESSUS DU MICRO-ONDES.

The toaster is above the microwave. 
PAR-DESSUS

Across, over		ACTION IS
INVOLVED		IL A SAUTÉ PAR-DESSUS. 

He jumped over (it).
PAR-DESSUS
LE / LA / LES

Across (the), 
over (the)		ACTION IS INVOLVED 
+ 
DEFINITE ARTICLE 
+ 
NOUN		IL A SAUTÉ PAR-DESSUS 
LA BARRIÈRE.

He jumped over the fence.
SOUS

Under, beneath		FOLLOWED BY 
NOUN OR PRONOUN		LE CHIEN EST SOUS LA TABLE.

The dog is under the table. 
DESSOUS

Below, underneath		NOT FOLLOWED BY
NOUN OR PRONOUN		LA CHIEN EST DESSOUS.

The dog is under (it).
EN-DESSOUS DE


Below, underneath		FOLLOWED BY 
NOUN OR PRONOUN		LE MICRO-ONDES EST EN-DESSOUS DU GRILLE-PAIN.

The microwave is under the toaster. 
PAR-DESSOUS

Underneath, from		ACTION ISINVOLVEDL’EAU EST ENTRÉE PAR-DESSOUS.

The water entered from underneath. 
PAR-DESSOUS
LE / LA / LES

Underneath (the), from (the)		ACTION IS INVOLVED 
+ 
DEFINITE ARTICLE 
+ 
NOUN		L’EAU EST ENTRÉE
PAR-DESSOUS LA PORTE.

The water came in under the door. 
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Top Ten Tips – French Futur Simple Tense

The French futur simple tense is used to express actions or events that will happen in the future.  It is typically used when discussing plans, predictions, intentions, or possibilities.   

Future actions: Use the futur simple to talk about actions that will occur in the future, regardless of the time frame.

  • Je partirai demain.
  • I will leave tomorrow.

Regular verbs: For regular verbs, the futur simple is formed by adding specific endings to the infinitive form of the verb.

  • Je parlerai.
  • I will speak.

Irregular verbs: Some verbs have irregular stems in the futur simple tense. It is essential to memorize these irregularities.

  • Aller → J’irai
  • I will go

Expressing intentions: The futur simple is used to express intentions or plans for the future.

  • Je finirai mes devoirs ce soir.
  • I will finish my homework tonight.

Expressing predictions: Use the futur simple to make predictions about future events or situations.

  • Faire → Il fera beau demain.
  • The weather will be nice tomorrow.

Hypothetical situations: The futur simple is also used to express hypothetical or imagined situations in the future.

  • Si j’ai de l’argent, j’achèterai une nouvelle voiture.
  • If I have money, I will buy a new car.

Si clauses: In si clauses, the futur simple is used in the main clause to express a future consequence.

  • Si tu étudies, tu réussiras.
  • If you study, you will succeed.

Time expressions: The futur simple tense is often accompanied by time expressions that indicate a future time frame, such as demain (tomorrow), l’année prochaine (next year), etc.

  • Nous partirons en vacances l’été prochain.
  • We will go on vacation next summer.

Indirect speech: When reporting someone’s future statements or intentions, the futur simple is used in indirect speech.accompanied by time expressions that indicate a future time frame, such as demain (tomorrow), l’année prochaine (next year), etc.

  • Il a dit qu’il viendra demain.
  • He said he will come tomorrow.

Avoiding ambiguity: The futur simple can be used to clarify future actions when other tenses might lead to ambiguity.

  • J’arriverai à 10 heures précises.
  • I will arrive at exactly 10 o’clock.
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French Adjectives Gros / Grand

The French adjectives gros and grand may appear similar, but they have distinct meanings and usage. 

Gros usually translates to big or fat, and grand to tall or large. 

Sometimes they are (and sometimes they are not) interchangeable.

Let’s look at the example of a big bear.  Un gros ours vs un grand ours.  

Gros emphasizes the bear’s weight or bulkiness, while grand emphasizes its height or overall size.  

We tend to use gros with animals unless specifically referring to height – une grande girafe, bien sûr.  

Examples

Size: “Gros” = physical bulk or overall size, width or volume. 

  • C’est un gros chat. 
  • That’s a big cat.

Size: “Grand” = vertical height 

  • Il est très grand pour son âge.
  • He is very tall for his age.
  • Un grand arbre
  • A tall tree

People: When describing people, “gros” refers to someone being overweight, and “grand” describes someone as being tall.

  • Elle est grosse.
  • She is fat.
  • Il est grand et mince.
  • He is tall and slim.

Abstract Concepts: “Gros” can also be used metaphorically to express intensity or significance, and “grand” can convey importance, influence, or scale.

  • Un gros problème
  • A big problem.
  • Un gros mensonge
  • A big lie.
  • Une grande décision
  • A major decision.
  • Un grand écrivain
  • A great writer.

Interchangeable:  There are instances where “gros” and “grand” can be used interchangeably, and they mean exactly the same thing.

  • Une grosse/grande ville
  • A big city.
  • Une grosse/grande maison
  • A big house.

Gros and grand can’t always be substituted for one another. For instance, you wouldn’t use “gros” when talking about a tall person or “grand” when describing an overweight person.

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Partir – Sortir – Quitter – Laisser

The French verbs partir, sortir, quitter, and laisser are all synonyms for the English verb “to leave,” but each has its own distinct ways to use it. The choice between these verbs depends on the context and the intended meaning. 

Partir and sortir are intransitive verbs. They don’t take a direct object, but they can be followed by a prepositional phrase.  

Intransitive verbs use être as a helping verb in the passé composé.  Sortir sometimes takes a direct object (so it sometimes uses avoir as a helping verb), but not when it means “to leave”.  

Quitter and laisser are transitive.  They require a direct object in a sentence.  

Transitive verbs use avoir as a helping verb in the passé composé.

Examples

Partir – to leave with the sense of going away from a place

Je pars en vacances. (prepositional phrase)

I’m leaving on vacation tomorrow.

Elle est partie de chez elle à six heures. (être as a helping verb)

She left home at six o’clock.

Sortir – to leave with the sense of leaving a place to go somewhere else

Les enfants sortent de l’école à trois heures. (prepositional phrase)

The children leave school at three o’clock.

Je suis sorti(e) (pour) faire les courses. (être as a helping verb)

I went out to do some shopping.

Quitter – to leave with the sense of leaving a person, situation or job

Nous allons bientôt quitter notre appartement. (direct object)

We’re going to leave our apartment soon.

Elle a quitté son mari. (avoir as a helping verb)

She left her husband.

Laisser – to leave with the sense of leaving something or someone behind

J’ai laissé mon livre chez toi hier soir. (direct object)

I left my book at your place last night.

Il a laissé tomber ses études pour travailler. (avoir as a helping verb)

He gave up his studies to work.

Sortir can also be a transitive verb

The verb sortir can sometimes take a direct object, meaning it can be transitive verb that uses avoir as a helping verb in the passé composé.

When sortir is transitive, it no longer means “to leave”.  Notice some of the different meanings in the examples below. 

Examples

Je sors le chien tous les soirs. (direct object)

I take the dog out every evening.

Elle sort les poubelles le mardi soir. (direct object)

She takes out the garbage on Tuesday evenings.

Nous avons sorti les livres de la bibliothèque pour les ranger. (avoir as a helping verb)

We took the books out of the bookcase to put them away.

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