Type 2: Si + Imparfait + Conditionnel (Hypothetical Present)

Learning ObjectivesIdentify the structure of a 'Type 2' hypothetical sentence.Correctly conjugate verbs in the imparfait (imperfect) [am-par-FEH] and conditionnel présent (present conditional) [kohn-dee-syoh-NEL pray-ZAWN] tenses.Create sentences to express hypotheses, wishes, or advice.Recognize and avoid common mistakes.Imagine you won a million dollars! 🤑 What would you do? Or if you could talk to animals, what would you say to them? 🐾 This grammar structure lets us explore all of those imaginary ideas. In French, we can say: Qu'est-ce que tu ferais? (What would you do?) [kes-kuh too fuh-RAY?] or Si tu pouvais parler aux animaux, que leur dirais-tu? (If you could talk to animals, what would you say to them?) [see too poo-VAY par-LAY oh za-nee-MOH, kuh luhr dee-ray-TOO?].Real-World App...

TermDefinitionExampleHypothèse (Hypothesis) [ee-poh-TEZ]A supposition or a condition that isn't real at the moment of speaking.Si j'étais un oiseau... (If I were a bird...) [see zhay-TAY uhn wah-ZOH]Condition (Condition) [kohn-dee-SYOHN]The part of the sentence that starts with 'si' (if) and sets up the imaginary situation.Si tu avais un superpouvoir... (If you had a superpower...) [see too a-VAY uhn soo-pair-poo-VWAR]Conséquence (Consequence) [kohn-say-KAWNS]The part of the sentence that describes the result or consequence of the imaginary condition....tu pourrais voler. (...you could fly.) [too poo-RAY voh-LAY]Imparfait (Imperfect tense) [am-par-FEH]The verb tense used in the 'si' (if) clause to describe the unreal condition.Si nous habitions sur la lune... (If we lived on the moon...) [...

Pattern 1: Si (If) + Imparfait (Imperfect), Conditionnel Présent (Present Conditional)Rule: The clause that expresses the condition starts with si (if) [see] and always uses the imparfait (imperfect) [am-par-FEH] tense. The clause that expresses the consequence uses the conditionnel présent (present conditional) [kohn-dee-syoh-NEL pray-ZAWN]. A comma separates the two parts.Structure: Si (If) + Subject 1 + Verb in Imparfait, Subject 2 + Verb in Conditionnel Présent.Example: Si j'avais beaucoup d'argent, j'achèterais une grande maison à Montréal. (If I had a lot of money, I would buy a big house in Montreal.) [see zha-VAY boh-KOO dar-ZHAWN, zha-shet-uh-RAY oon grawnd may-ZOHN ah mohn-ray-AL.]Pattern 2: Conditionnel Présent (Present Conditional) + si (if) + Imparfait (Imperfect)Rule: You can...