I can state a real condition and give advice: “If you send your résumé today, they'll answer you on Monday.”
If …, then …
If …, then …
Si sets up a real condition: under what condition something will happen, and what someone should do. After si comes the présent — always.
There are three ways to continue. The futur simple — what will happen: Si tu postules, tu auras une réponse. The présent — what always happens. The imperative (the command form) — advice. All three are in the table.
Unlike quand, si never takes the future, even when the condition is about tomorrow.
Before il and ils write s': s'il, s'ils. Before elle and elles there's no élision: si elle, si elles.
The si part can come first, followed by a comma: Si tu veux, on peut postuler ensemble. It can come second, with no comma: On peut postuler ensemble si tu veux.
Common mistakes:
• NOT “Si tu auras le diplôme, tu postuleras” — after si, only the présent: Si tu as le diplôme, tu postuleras.
• NOT “Si il termine ce soir” — before il, si loses its i: S'il termine ce soir.
• NOT “S'elle regarde les annonces” — no élision before elle: Si elle regarde les annonces.
Si + présent: three ways to continue
The si part always has the présent — never the future.
| Second part | When | Example |
|---|---|---|
| futur simple | what will happen under this condition | Si tu postules aujourd'hui, tu auras une réponse lundi. |
| présent | it always happens this way | Si Camille a une question, elle appelle le bureau. |
| the command form | advice | Si tu cherches un poste, regarde ce site. |
Lesson notes
If …, then …
Si sets up a real condition: under what condition something will happen, and what someone should do. After si comes the présent — always.
There are three ways to continue. The futur simple — what will happen: Si tu postules, tu auras une réponse. The présent — what always happens. The imperative (the command form) — advice. All three are in the table.
Unlike quand, si never takes the future, even when the condition is about tomorrow.
Before il and ils write s': s'il, s'ils. Before elle and elles there's no élision: si elle, si elles.
The si part can come first, followed by a comma: Si tu veux, on peut postuler ensemble. It can come second, with no comma: On peut postuler ensemble si tu veux.
Common mistakes:
• NOT “Si tu auras le diplôme, tu postuleras” — after si, only the présent: Si tu as le diplôme, tu postuleras.
• NOT “Si il termine ce soir” — before il, si loses its i: S'il termine ce soir.
• NOT “S'elle regarde les annonces” — no élision before elle: Si elle regarde les annonces.