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B1 · Grammaire9 / 12
L'hypothèse irréelle
The three si-clause patterns — from possible to impossible
What you’ll learn
French has three levels of 'if' clauses, from real possibilities to impossible fantasies. Mastering all three is a B1 milestone: si + présent (possible), si + imparfait (unlikely/unreal now), si + plus-que-parfait (impossible/past regret).
Explanation
The three patterns
Each pattern expresses a different degree of probability.
| Pattern | Si clause | Main clause | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Possible (future) | si + présent | futur / impératif | If it rains, I'll stay. |
| Unreal (present) | si + imparfait | conditionnel présent | If I were rich, I'd travel. |
| Impossible (past) | si + plus-que-parfait | conditionnel passé | If I had known, I'd have come. |
Examples of each
Notice how the tenses in the si-clause and main clause always match their pattern — never mix them.
- Si tu viens demain, on ira au cinéma. — If you come tomorrow, we'll go to the cinema. (possible)
- Si j'avais le temps, je ferais du sport. — If I had time, I'd exercise. (unreal now)
- Si j'avais étudié, j'aurais réussi. — If I had studied, I would have passed. (impossible past)
NEVER put the conditionnel in the si-clause. Always: 'Si j'AVAIS…, je FERAIS…' — never 'Si j'AURAIS…'. This is the most common mistake even native speakers make in informal speech.
Practice · 4 exercises
1
« Si j'___ riche, je voyagerais. » — which tense in the si-clause?
2
Si elle avait étudié, elle ___ réussi. (conditionnel passé de avoir)
3
Which pattern expresses a POSSIBLE future event?
4
Make it an impossible past hypothesis
Je ne suis pas venu parce que je ne savais pas. →