I had this same question, as I forgot the above lesson, so I thought I should respond as it would save others time. The question related to: 'si je POUVAIS, j'aurais été astronaute.'
Response to question from Peter (asked 5 months ago)
- « Back to Q&A Forum
- « Previous questionNext question »
Response to question from Peter (asked 5 months ago)
Bonjour Andrea,
You are spot on, Andrea! Here is the link to Kwiziq's lesson on this very topic: /l-imparfait-usage-in-hypothetical-clauses-introduced-by-si-if-followed-by-le-conditionnel-present
Merci de votre contribution et bonne journée !
You are correct Andrea - the conditional mood is not used in French in the 'si...' clause in conditional statements, only present or passé composé, imparfait or plus-que parfait. (As common in French there is a specific and restricted exception that can occur in literary use, but irrelevant to most of us in everyday language)
The 'si ...' clause actually sets the condition that 'needs' to be/have been 'met' by the conditional clause.
https://www.lawlessfrench.com/grammar/si-clauses-conditionals/
https://www.lawlessfrench.com/grammar/si-clauses-second-conditional/
Coming last to the party, let me point out the close parallel to English:
If I had money, I would by a car. -- Si j'avais de l'argent, j'achèterais une voiture.
Don't have an account yet? Join today
Find your French level for FREE
Test your French to the CEFR standard
Find your French level