In the above examples, the near future and the future simple are interchangeable. But in speaking, French people tend to prefer the near future.(The first two examples use simple future, and the last uses near future)
French Articles
How do you form a hypothesis in French using ‘si’?
By: Agnés Finot Mon May 13 2024
To form hypotheses in French, you must:
use a si (if) clause, which becomes s’ in front of il(s), and
respect the different verb tense combinations, depending on whether the hypothesis is likely, unlikely, or impossible.
Making a hypothesis means making a prediction about or wishing you could change an event in the past, the present, or the future. Take a look at the example below:
Si j’avais une lampe magique, je souhaiterais devenir expert des hypothèses en français !
If I had a magic lamp, I would wish to become a master of French hypotheses!
Well, no need for a genie! 🧞 In this post, we’ll review how to form the three types of French hypotheses, as well as when to use each of them. Let’s dive in!
What are the three types of hypotheticals in French?
The three types of hypotheticals in French are called first group, second group, and third group hypotheses. We classify hypotheses into “groups,” depending on their likelihood of happening for real.
What are the elements of a French hypothesis?
Like in English, hypotheticals in French consist of two clausesNo definition set for clausesLorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum., one of which is introduced by si(if). The “if” clause and the main clause can be in any order. What is important is to keep the correct tense within each clause:
Si la pluie s'arrête, je sortirai demain.
If the rain stops, I will go out tomorrow.
=
Je sortirai demain si la pluie s’arrête.
I will go out tomorrow if the rain stops.
Hang on a minute, can you see what’s happening with the comma in the above examples? It has disappeared in the second sentence! Indeed, it depends in which order you arrange your clauses.
Here is the rule:
“if” clause + comma → main clause
main clause + no comma → “if” clause
How to form hypotheticals in the first group in French?
The first group is for hypotheticals likely to happen now or in the future, based on a present or past action.
You have two tense options for the si(if) clause and three tense options for the main clause:
condition (“if” clause) | consequence (main clause) |
|---|---|
Si + present tense | future simple or near future |
present | |
imperative |
When to form hypotheticals with the ‘si’ clause in the present tense?
When forming hypotheticals with the si clause in the present tense, the main clause can be in a future tense, the present tense, or the imperative (but we’ll cover this later!).
Si + present / future
Use this tense combination when you are talking about an event that is likely to happen in the future based on a present circumstance. This future tense could be the near future or the simple future.For example, in my classroom, I often tell my young students:
presentfuture tenseSi vous finissez votre exercice rapidement, on fera un jeu avant la récré
If you finish your exercise quickly, we will do a game before recess.
S’il fait beau, tu étendras le linge dehors.
If the weather is nice, you will hang the washing outside.
Si tu révises tous les jours, tu vas progresser rapidement.
If you revise every day, you’re going to progress quickly.
Tip
Si+ present / present
Using the present tense in both clauses is common when talking about habits or generalities.
presentS’il pleut, mon chat ne sort pas.
If it rains, my cat doesn’t go out.
In France, you will also hear people use si a lot to say “when” with a si + present/present combination:
Si je gagne au loto, j’achète une villa au bord de la mer!
When I win the lottery, I’m buying a villa by the sea!
Here, I am not describing a regular event. I’m making a statement with certainty. Using the present/present can also give a strong idea of immediacy, in contrast to using the future.
When to form hypotheticals with the ‘si’ clause in the ‘passé composé’?
When forming hypotheticals with the si clause in the passé composé, the main clause can also be in a future tense, the present tense, or the imperative (see the next section!).
Si + passé composé / present
Using the si clause in the passé composé means that the likely hypothesis is situated in the past, with the consequence being in the present.
passé composépresentS’ils sont partis à 17h, ils sont chez eux maintenant.
If they left at 5 pm, they are home now.
Si + passé composé / present
Here, my hypothesis is still situated in the past, but the consequence is now in a future tense:
- passé composéfuture tense
S’ils sont partis à 17h, ils arriveront chez eux dans une heure.
If they left at 5 pm, they will arrive home in an hour.
- passé composéfuture tense
Si elle s’est bien entraînée, elle réussira son examen de piano.
If she has practiced well, she will pass her piano exam.
- passé composéfuture tense
Si tu n’as pas réussi ton examen de piano, tu vas continuer à jouer ?
If you haven’t passed your piano exam, are you going to continue to play?
How to give orders or instructions with likely hypotheticals?
The last type of construction used in likely hypotheticals involves using the imperative mood to give orders or instructions, and the si clause will be in the present tense or the passé composé:
condition (“if” clause | consequence (main clause) |
|---|---|
Si+ present tense | imperative |
Si + passé composé |
You can use the imperative in the main clause to give an order or an instruction, which will be the direct consequence of the “if” clause (in the present or passé composé).
Hypothesis in the present:
present tenseimperative
Si tu as faim, sers-toi ! 🍎
If you are hungry, help yourself.
Hypothesis in the past:
passé composéimperative
Si tu as versé le lait, à présent ajoute le sucre.
If you have poured the milk, now add the sugar.
We have covered the different verb tense combinations to make hypotheticals that are likely. Now, let’s move on to our second group hypotheticals.
How to form hypotheticals in the second group in French?
To form hypotheticals in the second group, the si clause must be in the imperfect tense, while the main clause is in the present conditional in French. Hypotheticals in the second group are unlikely to happen, with a probability rate of 0 to 50%:
Use this type of construction when you are currently in a certain situation, and you wish that it could be different at this exact moment. This is something that could possibly happen; however, it is not doable right now!
In second group hypotheticals, the si clause will always be in the imperfect, and the main clause will always be in the present conditional.
imperfectpresent conditional
Si j’avais du fromage, je ferais des croque-monsieurs.
If I had cheese, I would make cheese and ham toasties.
imperfectpresent conditional
Si ce manteau était en soldes, Jules l'achèterait.
If this coat was on sale, Jules would buy it.
Important
You might hear native speakers use si + present conditional:
present conditional
Si leur patron leur donnerait une augmentation, les ouvriers arrêteraient de faire la grève.
If their boss gave them a pay raise, the workers would stop striking.
This is actually a non-standard use, so we recommend that, as you’re learning, you stick with the standard and never use si + ❌ conditional! Instead, use si + ✅ imperfect:
imperfectpresent conditional
Si leur patron leur donnait une augmentation, les ouvriers arrêteraient de faire la grève.
If their boss gave them a pay raise, the workers would stop striking.
🎧 Céline Dion, in her song Si j’étais quelqu’un(If I was someone), demonstrates good examples of unlikely hypotheses.
As you see, although hypotheticals in the second group are unlikely to happen, all hope is not lost! Unfortunately, this is not the case with our third group.
How to form hypotheticals in the third group in French?
Form French hypotheticals in the third group using the pluperfect tense in the si clause and the French past conditional in the main clause. Hypotheses in the third group are for past and completed events, with the consequences also in the past. So this cannot become a reality, unless you can time travel ⏰ ! This is seen as a regret or a relief.
This is how it’s done:
condition (“if” clause) | consequence (main clause) |
|---|---|
Si + pluperfect | past conditional |
pluperfectpast conditional
Le jardinier aurait pu tondre la pelouse s’il avait fait beau.
The gardener could have mowed the lawn if the weather had been nice.
Tip
In English, we sometimes use the word “then” to link two clauses. In French, we don’t tend to use any linking words.
pluperfectpast conditional
Si mon réveil avait sonné, (alors) je n’aurais pas été en retard.
If my alarm had rang, then I wouldn't have been late!
To remember all the tricky verb tense combinations in this post, check out our resource on tense combinations when forming French hypotheticals!
Let’s recap the three types of hypotheticals!
Remember, there are three types of hypotheticals in French: first group hypotheses (likely), second group hypotheses (unlikely), and third group hypotheses (impossible):
If your hypothesis is likely to happen:
condition (“if” clause)consequence (main clausesi + présent
si + passé composéprésent
futur / futur proche
impératif
If your hypothesis is unlikely to happen (it’s a wish or a dream):
condition (“if” clause)consequence (main clause)si + imparfait
conditionnel présent
if your hypothesis is impossible (it’s a regret or relief):
condition (“if” clause)consequence (main clause)si + plus-que-parfait
conditionnel présent
It is essential to respect these combinations. And remember that you use the same tense combinations in English, so that should help you to memorize the French ones.
Now, how about some practice with French hypotheticals?
Downloadable Resources
Elevate your language-learning journey to new heights with the following downloadable resources.
How do you form a hypothesis in French using si~Verb tense combinations in French hypotheticals tableHow do you form a hypothesis in French using si~Activities
