Why present tense not conditional?

GC1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Why present tense not conditional?

The sentence to be translated - You could come with Alice and me if you want.

The correct response - Tu peux venir avec Alice et moi si tu veux.

What is the rule here regarding present tense vs conditional?

Asked 1 year ago
MaartenC1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor Correct answer

If clause - ‘Si tu veux…’ - present tense. The ‘then’ clause will use either present, future or imperative, not conditional. https://www.lawlessfrench.com/grammar/si-clauses-conditionals/

JimC1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Hi G,

To write "Si tu veux" sets a condition/option in the normal sense so I would expect the conditional mood.

But it can depend on what was in the mind of the speaker.

Often in English, we hear this type of phrasing when a "condition" is not really implied - just a normal speaking style using a mild or gentle type of tone.

Bonne journée

Jim

GC1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

So it's a style thing rather than a fixed grammar rule? 

Would -Tu pourrais venir avec moi si tu veux be correct also?

GC1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Ah yes, I remember now! I need to revisit that lesson. Thank you.

Why present tense not conditional?

The sentence to be translated - You could come with Alice and me if you want.

The correct response - Tu peux venir avec Alice et moi si tu veux.

What is the rule here regarding present tense vs conditional?

Sign in to submit your answer

Don't have an account yet? Join today

Ask a question

Find your French level for FREE

Test your French to the CEFR standard

Find your French level
Thinking...