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B2 · Grammaire9 / 12
Les hypothèses avec si : les trois niveaux
Possible, improbable, irréel — and the mixed patterns
What you’ll learn
The three si-clause patterns are a cornerstone of B2. You need to handle all three fluently, recognize mixed hypotheticals, and use them for expressing regret, reproach, and unconfirmed news.
Explanation
The three levels
Each expresses a different degree of reality:
| Level | Si clause | Main clause | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Possible | si + présent | futur / impératif / présent | If it rains, I'll stay. |
| Improbable | si + imparfait | conditionnel présent | If I were rich, I'd travel. |
| Irréel passé | si + plus-que-parfait | conditionnel passé | If I had known, I'd have come. |
Mixed hypotheticals
Sometimes the si-clause is in one level but the main clause in another — this is normal in real speech.
- Si tu avais étudié (PQP), tu ne serais pas si stressé maintenant (cond. présent). — If you had studied, you wouldn't be so stressed now. (past cause → present consequence)
- Si j'étais toi (imp), j'aurais accepté (cond. passé). — If I were you, I would have accepted. (present situation → past action)
Practice · 4 exercises
1
« Si j'avais su, je ___ venu. »
2
Si tu ___ (étudier, PQP), tu aurais réussi.
3
Si j'___ (être, imp) toi, j'accepterais.
4
Which is a MIXED hypothetical?