Present conditional formation

Level 2

Stem: Futur simple stem (usually the infinitive)
Endings: -ais, -ais, -ait, -ions, -iez, -aient

How It Works

To form the present conditional, you need two components:

1. The Stem: This is identical to the futur simple stem.

  • For -er and -ir verbs, use the infinitive (e.g., parler-, finir-).
  • For -re verbs, drop the final -e (e.g., vendre becomes vendr-).
  • Stem-changing verbs: Verbs like acheter or appeler use their modified stems (e.g., achèter-, appeller-), just like in the future tense.
  • Irregular verbs use the same irregular future stems (e.g., être → ser-, avoir → aur-, or double 'r' stems like pouvoir → pourr-).

2. The Endings: These are the exact same endings used for the imparfait:

  • Je: -ais
  • Tu: -ais
  • Il/Elle/On: -ait
  • Nous: -ions
  • Vous: -iez
  • Ils/Elles: -aient

Key Characteristic: Because the stem always ends in -r, every conditional form will have an 'r' sound immediately before the ending (e.g., je mangerais).

Examples (5)

  1. Je mangerais une pomme si j'avais faim.

    I would eat an apple if I were hungry.

    Word by Word: I would eat an apple if I had hunger.

    Regular -er verb 'manger' uses the full infinitive as the stem + the 'je' ending -ais.

  2. Nous finirions le travail plus tôt.

    We would finish the work earlier.

    Word by Word: We would finish the work more early.

    Regular -ir verb 'finir' uses the infinitive as the stem + the 'nous' ending -ions.

  3. Est-ce que vous pourriez m'aider ?

    Could you help me?

    Word by Word: Is it that you would be able me to help?

    The verb 'pouvoir' uses its irregular future stem 'pourr-' + the 'vous' ending -iez.

  4. Elle vendrait sa maison.

    She would sell her house.

    Word by Word: She would sell her house.

    For -re verbs like 'vendre', we drop the final -e to get the stem 'vendr-' before adding -ait.

  5. Ils seraient très heureux.

    They would be very happy.

    Word by Word: They would be very happy.

    The irregular verb 'être' uses the stem 'ser-' + the 'ils' ending -aient.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the conditional immediately after 'si' (if).

    Si je serais riche, j'achèterais un bateau.
    Si j'étais riche, j'achèterais un bateau.

    In French, the clause starting with 'si' must use the imparfait, not the conditional. Remember: 'Les si n'aiment pas les -rais' (The 'si's don't like the '-rais' endings).

  • Confusing the 'je' form of the future and the conditional.

    Demain, je mangerais au restaurant. (intended: I will eat)
    Demain, je mangerai au restaurant.

    The futur simple ends in -ai (pronounced like 'café'), while the conditionnel ends in -ais (pronounced like 'sept'). The future expresses certainty, while the conditional expresses a possibility.

  • Forgetting to drop the -e on -re verbs.

    Je prendrerais le train.
    Je prendrais le train.

    For verbs ending in -re, you must remove the final -e before adding the conditional endings.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

Present conditional formationLevel 2

Learn This First

To form the present conditional, you must combine the stem of the future simple with the endings of the imperfect. Therefore, a good grasp of both the future stem (including irregulars) and the imperfect endings is essential.

Learn Next

Patterns that build on this one.