conditionnel présent grammar in French

Language: French
Level: B1
Unit: Temps et modes verbaux
Practice types: 0

What this grammar point covers

The 'conditionnel présent' in French is a verb tense used to express what would happen under certain conditions, or to make polite requests and suggestions.

When to use it

Use the 'conditionnel présent' to talk about hypothetical situations, to express wishes or possibilities, or to make polite requests or offers.

Key forms

Infinitive of the verb + endings: -ais, -ais, -ait, -ions, -iez, -aient
Example: parler → je parlerais, tu parlerais, il/elle parlerait, nous parlerions, vous parleriez, ils/elles parleraient

Examples

Je voudrais un café.

English: I would like a coffee.

Si j'avais le temps, je voyagerais plus.

English: If I had time, I would travel more.

Nous pourrions aller au cinéma ce soir.

English: We could go to the cinema tonight.

Tu devrais étudier davantage.

English: You should study more.

Tips

Do not confuse the endings of the conditionnel présent with the imparfait. The conditionnel uses the same endings, but starts from the infinitive.
Many common verbs are irregular in the conditionnel présent; learn their stems.
The conditionnel is often used after 'si' (if), but only when 'si' is followed by the imparfait.

Exceptions and edge cases

Some verbs have irregular stems, for example: être → je serais, avoir → j'aurais, aller → j'irais, faire → je ferais, venir → je viendrais, voir → je verrais, pouvoir → je pourrais, devoir → je devrais.