The verb pouvoir is used in Conditionnel Présent to express could.
It uses the same irregular stem as in Futur Simple : pourr-
It uses the same irregular stem as in Futur Simple : pourr-
The je form has the same pronunciation as in Futur Simple. Look for the context : I will have to vs I could!
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Examples and resources
Q&A Forum 3 questions, 5 answers
Kwiziq community member
Futur simple Vs conditionnel present
The tip says to decide between je form for future simple and conditionnel present for pouvoir by comparing 'i will have to' with 'i could'. I thought 'i will have to' is 'je devrais' and future simple for pouvoir would translate to 'i will be able to'
Asked 1 year ago
You are correct, Damien:
Je devrai ranger ma chambre. -- I will have to clean up my room.
Je pourrai ranger ma chambre. -- I will be able to clean up my room.
Je devrais ranger ma chambre. -- I should clean up my room.
Je pourrais ranger ma chambre. -- I would be able to clean up my room.
P.S.: Note the addidional "-s" in the conditional.
Damien asked:View original
Futur simple Vs conditionnel present
The tip says to decide between je form for future simple and conditionnel present for pouvoir by comparing 'i will have to' with 'i could'. I thought 'i will have to' is 'je devrais' and future simple for pouvoir would translate to 'i will be able to'
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GrahamKwiziq Q&A regular contributor
Is it correct that if you use pouvoir in the conditional present, the following verb is always in the infinitive?
Asked 1 year ago
All modal verbs like, pouvoir or devoir require the infinitive, no matter which tense or mode they are in.
Je peux t'appeler. / Je pourrais t'appeler.
Graham asked:View original
Is it correct that if you use pouvoir in the conditional present, the following verb is always in the infinitive?
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KevinKwiziq Q&A regular contributor
Is the point of this lesson that the conditional of pouvoir is used to express possibility?
Is the point of this lesson that the conditional of pouvoir is used to express possibility? I don't grasp the difference between "pouvez-vous m'aider" and "pourriez-vous m'aider", or would you just not say the first one?
Asked 3 years ago
AurélieKwiziq team member
Bonjour Kevin !
"Pouvez-vous m'aider ?" means "Can you help me?", whereas
"Pourriez-vous m'aider ?" means "Could you help me?"
Just like in English, both forms are correct, but the second one is more polite, as the use of the conditional makes it a bit less direct.
I hope that's helpful!
À bientôt !
Kevin asked:View original
Is the point of this lesson that the conditional of pouvoir is used to express possibility?
Is the point of this lesson that the conditional of pouvoir is used to express possibility? I don't grasp the difference between "pouvez-vous m'aider" and "pourriez-vous m'aider", or would you just not say the first one?
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