à condition que + Subjunctive
On the Condition That with a Condition Que
The conjunction à condition que means 'provided that' or 'on the condition that.' It is used to introduce a necessary requirement for the main action to happen and always triggers the subjunctive mood.
How It Works
To use this pattern correctly, follow these rules:
- Mood: The verb following à condition que must be in the subjunctive.
- Subject Change: Use à condition que only when the subject of the main clause and the subordinate clause are different. If the subjects are the same, use à condition de + infinitive instead.
- Elision: Remember to use elision (qu') before vowels or a mute 'h' (e.g., qu'il, qu'elle, qu'on).
- Register: This is a standard expression used in both professional writing and daily conversation.
Examples (4)
- Je te prêterai ma voiture à condition que tu conduises prudemment.
I will lend you my car provided that you drive carefully.
Word by Word: I you will-lend my car at condition that you drive (subjunctive) prudently.
The condition for lending the car is the careful driving. 'Conduises' is the subjunctive form of 'conduire'.
- Nous irons en randonnée demain à condition qu'il ne pleuve pas.
We will go hiking tomorrow on the condition that it doesn't rain.
Word by Word: We will-go in hiking tomorrow at condition that it not rain (subjunctive) not.
The weather is the prerequisite. 'Pleuve' is the subjunctive form of 'pleuvoir'.
- Il acceptera le poste à condition que le salaire soit négociable.
He will accept the position provided that the salary is negotiable.
Word by Word: He will-accept the post at condition that the salary be (subjunctive) negotiable.
The salary negotiation is the requirement. 'Soit' is the irregular subjunctive of 'être'.
- Elle viendra à la fête à condition que son ex ne soit pas là.
She will come to the party provided that her ex isn't there.
Word by Word: She will-come to the party at condition that her ex not be (subjunctive) not there.
The absence of the ex is the strict condition for her attendance.
Common Mistakes
Using the indicative mood instead of the subjunctive.
Je t'aide à condition qu'il vient aussi.Je t'aide à condition qu'il vienne aussi.Even though 'provided that' doesn't always feel like a 'doubtful' situation in English, French grammar strictly requires the subjunctive after 'à condition que'.
Using 'que' when the subject of both clauses is the same.
Je viendrai à condition que je sois libre.Je viendrai à condition d'être libre.When the subject is the same (Je... je...), 'à condition de' followed by an infinitive is the more natural choice.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To use 'à condition que', a learner must first be able to form the subjunctive mood, as this conjunction is a mandatory trigger for it. Additionally, understanding how 'que' connects clauses and how basic conditions are expressed in French provides the necessary grammatical and logical foundation.
- Regular subjunctive formation
The learner must know how to conjugate verbs in the subjunctive mood to use it after the conjunction 'à condition que'.
Level 3 - que (pronom relatif)Relative Pronoun Que (Object)
Understanding the role of 'que' as a conjunction linking two clauses is essential for using complex conjunctions like 'à condition que'.
Level 2 - si + Present, FutureReal Future Condition
Familiarity with basic conditional structures helps the learner understand the semantic purpose of 'à condition que' as a formal alternative to 'si'.
Level 2
Related Patterns
- pourvu que + SubjunctiveProvided That with Pourvu Que
A similar conjunction meaning 'as long as' or 'provided that,' but often carries a more hopeful or minimalist nuance.
Level 3 - Avoiding the subjunctive with a same-subject infinitive
Explains the general rule of switching to an infinitive construction when the subject doesn't change.
Level 4 - à moins que + SubjunctiveUnless with a Moins Que + Subjunctive
Another conditional conjunction ('unless') that also requires the subjunctive mood.
Level 4
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice à condition que + Subjunctive in Bubblegum
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