B1 French GrammarSubjunctive II (Konjunktiv II)
Master the French conditional mood for expressing hypothetical situations, wishes, and polite requests. Learn to form and use the conditionnel présent and passé, understand si-clauses, and express politeness in French conversation.
1Forming the Conditional Present
The conditionnel présent is formed with the future stem + imparfait endings (-ais, -ais, -ait, -ions, -iez, -aient). The stem is the infinitive for regular verbs, dropping -e for -re verbs. Irregular futures have the same irregular stems in conditional.
Conditional Formation
| Infinitive | Future Stem | Conditional |
|---|---|---|
| parler | parler- | parlerais |
| finir | finir- | finirais |
| vendre | vendr- | vendrais |
| être | ser- | serais |
Examples
Je voudrais un café, s'il vous plaît.
I would like a coffee, please.
polite request with vouloir
Il serait content de vous voir.
He would be happy to see you.
être in conditional
Nous aimerions réserver une table.
We would like to book a table.
polite wish
Pourriez-vous m'aider?
Could you help me?
polite question with pouvoir
2Conditional Sentences (Si-Clauses)
French si-clauses follow strict tense rules. For hypothetical present: si + imparfait → conditionnel présent. For hypothetical past: si + plus-que-parfait → conditionnel passé. Never use conditional or future after 'si' in the if-clause.
Si-Clause Patterns
| Type | Si-Clause | Main Clause |
|---|---|---|
| Real condition | si + présent | présent/futur |
| Hypothetical present | si + imparfait | conditionnel présent |
| Hypothetical past | si + plus-que-parfait | conditionnel passé |
Examples
Si j'étais riche, je voyagerais partout.
If I were rich, I would travel everywhere.
hypothetical present
Si j'avais su, j'aurais aidé.
If I had known, I would have helped.
hypothetical past
Si elle venait, nous serions contents.
If she came, we would be happy.
imperfect + conditional
Que ferais-tu si tu gagnais au loto?
What would you do if you won the lottery?
hypothetical question
3Conditional Past
The conditionnel passé expresses what would have happened. Form it with conditional of avoir/être + past participle. Use it for past hypotheticals, regrets, and unfulfilled wishes. It often pairs with plus-que-parfait in si-clauses.
Conditional Past Formation
| Subject | With avoir | With être |
|---|---|---|
| j' | aurais parlé | serais allé(e) |
| tu | aurais parlé | serais allé(e) |
| il/elle | aurait parlé | serait allé(e) |
| nous | aurions parlé | serions allé(e)s |
Examples
J'aurais aimé te voir.
I would have liked to see you.
unfulfilled wish
Elle serait venue si possible.
She would have come if possible.
hypothetical past with être
Nous aurions dû partir plus tôt.
We should have left earlier.
devoir in conditional past
Il n'aurait jamais fait ça.
He would never have done that.
negative conditional past
4Polite Expressions and Suggestions
The conditional softens requests and makes suggestions more polite. Use it with vouloir, pouvoir, devoir, and aimer for courteous speech. It also expresses uncertainty or reported information in journalism ('aurait dit' = allegedly said).
Polite Conditional Uses
| Direct | Polite | English |
|---|---|---|
| Je veux... | Je voudrais... | I would like... |
| Pouvez-vous...? | Pourriez-vous...? | Could you...? |
| Tu dois... | Tu devrais... | You should... |
| C'est possible | Ce serait possible | It would be possible |
Examples
Pourriez-vous répéter, s'il vous plaît?
Could you repeat, please?
polite request
Je voudrais vous demander quelque chose.
I would like to ask you something.
polite introduction
Tu devrais appeler ta mère.
You should call your mother.
polite advice
Il serait mort dans l'accident.
He allegedly died in the accident.
reported unconfirmed info