French Grammar Rules Conjugating Verbs in the Conditional

French Grammar Rules Conjugating Verbs in the Conditional Sign up successful Jirais au supermarché sil était ouvert. I would go to the supermarket if it were open. Elle assisterait a lécole si elle était assez agée. She would attend school if she were old enough. Note that le conditionnel is used for the action that is NOT part of the “if” phrase. The second verb in these two examples is conjugated in the imparfait. Le conditionnel can also be used on its own in a sentence if you are making a polite request or stating something you would like to see happen. Here are two examples: Je voudrais du rosboeuf avec des pommes de terre. I would like some roast beef with potatoes. Jaimerais aller au Quebec cet été. Id like to go to Quebec this summer. How to Conjugate  le Conditionnel The conditional form is relatively easy to conjugate, because  it combines roots and endings you have most likely seen before. Use the same root you would for le futur  (usually the infinitive form of the verb, or the infinitive form minus a final -e where applicable), and add the same endings you would for the imparfait. For the verbs parler  (a regular verb) and vouloir (which has an irregular root), the conjugations would look like this: Je ? parlerais, voudrais Tu ? parlerais, voudrais Il/elle/on ? parlerait, voudrait Nous ? parlerions, voudrions Vous ? parleriez, voudriez Ils/Elles ? parleraient, voudraient If in doubt as to which roots are irregular, you can review some of the irregular future roots here. Time to Practice! Now that you know how and when to use le conditionnel, try your hand at the example sentences  below. Be careful with the sentences that contain two verbs: One will be conjugated using the imparfait, and the other using the conditionnel. Si j ___________ (étudier) avec lui, je ___________ (pouvoir) réussir mon exam. If I studied with him, I would be able to pass my exam successfully. Ils ___________ (aimer) parler avec leur frère. They would like to speak with their brother. Si tu ___________ (finir) tes devoirs tous les jours, tu ___________ (avoir) de bonnes notes. If you finished your homework every day, you would have good grades. Nous ___________ (vouloir) de la salade. We would like some salad. Si vous ___________ (vouloir) aller au Quebec, vous ___________ (garder) votre argent. If you wanted to go to Quebec, you would keep / save your money. How do you think you did? Check your answers below:  Ã©tudiais, pourrais aimeraient finissais, aurais voudrions vouliez, garderiez If you didnt do well, keep reviewing and practicing your French grammar skills. Either way, begin looking and listening for uses of le conditionnel  as you listen and read to seek out opportunities to practice using it as you speak and write. Look for someone to correct your usage if you make a mistake, and you will improve quickly! Want even more practice with  le conditionnel?  A private French tutor  can give you  expert advice, study tips, and answers to your questions about French grammar. Search for a French tutor today! Post Author:  Carol Beth L. Carol Beth L. teaches  French lessons in San Francisco, CA. She has her Masters in French language education from the Sorbonne University in Paris and has been teaching since 2009.  Learn more about Carol Beth here! Photo by  vahiinee Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher