4.3.4

Apprentissage - Grammar

Test yourself on Apprentissage - Grammar

Test your knowledge with free interactive questions on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

Apprentissage - Grammar

The conditional tense is what you “could/would/should/ought to do".

Stem

Stem

  • In order to form the conditional tense in French, the first step is to take the stem of the verb that you would use to form the simple future tense.
    • So for regular verbs, this will be the verb in its infinitive (except for RE verbs, where you need to remove the last E from the infinitive).
    • For irregular verbs, you will need to start with the irregular stem that you saw when forming the simple future tense.
Conditional tense

Conditional tense

  • The next step is to add on the conditional tense endings to these stems.
    • Je + stem + ais
    • Tu + stem + ais
    • Il/elle/on + stem + ait
    • Nous + stem + ions
    • Vous + stem + iez
    • Ils/elles + stem + aient
Example

Example

  • Parler is a regular ER verb.
  • We start by taking the stem, which is just the infinitive form.
  • Let’s say that we want to say in French “He would talk”.
  • Therefore we need to use the pronoun il.
    • So we now have il + parler
  • We now need to add the conditional ending to the stem of the verb.
  • We know that this should be +ait to the stem of the verb, looking at the table.
    • So now we should have il + parler + ait
      • il parlerait 🡪 he would talk
Irregular verbs

Irregular verbs

  • We have already said that for irregular verbs that we need to use their irregular stem that they have when forming the simple future tense and then add the conditional ending to them in order to form the conditional tense in French.
  • For example:
    • Être = Ser...
    • Avoir = Aur...
    • Aller = Ir...
Example

Example

  • I want to say in French “I would be”.
  • I will find the stem of my verb in the simple future tense first (even though it’s the conditional tense I am going to be using)
  • The stem I need to start with is ser
  • I will now look at my conditional tense endings which I am able to add to the irregular stem.
  • I will need to use Je
    • I now have Je + ser
  • The conditional ending that I need to add to my irregular stem is + ais
    • So now I have Je + ser + ais
      • Je serais 🡪 I would be
Jump to other topics
1

The Changing Nature of Family

1.1

Soucis et problèmes de famille

1.1.1Problèmes de famille - Vocab French to English1.1.2Problèmes de famille - Vocab English to French1.1.3Problèmes de famille - Comprehension1.1.4Problèmes de famille - Comprehension 21.1.5Problèmes de famille - Translations1.1.6Grammar - Tenses
1.2

Monoparentalité, homoparentalité etc

1.2.1Mono- et homoparentalité - Vocab French to English1.2.2Mono- et homoparentalité - Vocab English to French1.2.3Mono- et homoparentalité - Comprehension1.2.4Mono- et homoparentalité - Comprehension 21.2.5Grammar - Perfect tense
1.3

La vie de couple - nouvelles tendances

1.3.1La vie de couple - Vocab French to English1.3.2La vie de couple - Vocab English to French1.3.3La vie de couple - Comprehension1.3.4La vie de couple - Comprehension 21.3.5La vie de couple - Translations
2

The 'cyber-society'

2.1

Qui sont les cybernautes ?

2.1.1Cybernautes - Vocab French to English2.1.2Cybernautes - Vocab English to French2.1.3Cybernautes - Comprehension2.1.4Cybernautes - Comprehension 22.1.5Cybernautes - Translations
2.2

Comment la technologie facilite la vie quotidienne

2.2.1La technologie - Vocab French to English2.2.2La technologie - Vocab English to French2.2.3La technologie - Comprehension2.2.4La technologie - Comprehension 22.2.5La technologie - Translations
2.3

Dangers de la cyber-société

2.3.1La cyber-société - Vocab French to English2.3.2La cyber-société - Vocab E to F2.3.3La cyber-société - Comprehension2.3.4La cyber-société - Comprehension 22.3.5La cyber-société - Translations
3

The Place of Voluntary Work

3.1

Qui sont et que font les bénévoles ?

3.1.1Les bénévoles - Vocab French to English3.1.2Les bénévoles - Vocab English to French3.1.3Les bénévoles - Comprehension3.1.4Les bénévoles - Comprehension 23.1.5Les bénévoles - Translations
3.2

La valeur du bénévolat

3.2.1La valeur du bénévolat - Vocab French to English3.2.2La valeur du bénévolat - Vocab English to French3.2.3La valeur du bénévolat - Comprehension3.2.4La valeur du bénévolat - Comprehension 23.2.5La valeur du bénévolat - Translations
3.3

Le futur de l’engagement politique

3.3.1Le futur de l’engagement - Vocab French to English3.3.2Le futur de l’engagement - Vocab English to French3.3.3Le futur de l’engagement - Comprehension3.3.4Le futur de l’engagement - Comprehension 23.3.5Le futur de l’engagement - Translations
4

Diverse Society

4.1

L'enrichissement dû à la mixité

4.1.1Enrichissement - Vocab French to English4.1.2Enrichissement - Vocab English to French4.1.3Enrichissement - Comprehension4.1.4Enrichissement - Grammar4.1.5Enrichissement - Translations
4.2

Tolérance et respect

4.2.1Tolérance - Vocab French to English4.2.2Tolérance - Vocab English to French4.2.3Tolérance - Compréhension4.2.4Tolérance - Grammar4.2.5Tolérance - Translation
4.3

Un apprentissage pour la vie

4.3.1Apprentissage - Vocab French to English4.3.2Apprentissage - Vocab English to French4.3.3Apprentissage - Comprehension4.3.4Apprentissage - Grammar4.3.5Apprentissage - Translation
5

The Marginalised

5.1

Qui ils sont

5.1.1Qui ils sont - Vocab French to English5.1.2Qui ils sont - Vocab English to French5.1.3Qui ils sont - Comprehension5.1.4Qui ils sont - Grammar5.1.5Qui ils sont - Translations
5.2

Comment aider

5.2.1Comment aider - Vocab French to English5.2.2Comment aider - Vocab English to French5.2.3Comment aider - Comprehension5.2.4Comment aider - Grammar5.2.5Comment aider - Translations
5.3

Quelle attitute envers eux

5.3.1Quelle attitude -Vocab French to English5.3.2Quelle attitude -Vocab English to French5.3.3Quelle attitude - Comprehension5.3.4Quelle attitude - Grammar5.3.5Quelle attitude - Translations
6

How Criminals Are Treated

6.1

Quelles attitudes envers la criminalité ?

6.1.1La criminalité - Vocab French to English6.1.2La criminalité - Vocab English to French6.1.3La criminalité - Comprehension6.1.4La criminalité - Comprehension 26.1.5La criminalité - Translations
6.2

La prison – échec ou succès ?

6.2.1Aller en prison - Vocab French to English6.2.2Aller en prison - Vocab English to French6.2.3Aller en prison - Comprehension6.2.4Aller en prison - Comprehension 26.2.5Aller en prison - Translations
6.3

D’autres sanctions

6.3.1Gérer les criminels - Vocab French to English6.3.2Gérer les criminels - Vocab English to French6.3.3Gérer les criminels - Comprehension6.3.4Gérer les criminels - Comprehension 26.3.5Gérer les criminels - Translations
7

A Culture Proud of its Heritage

7.1

Le patrimoine - national, régional et local

7.1.1Le patrimoine - Vocab French to English7.1.2Le patrimoine - Vocab English to French7.1.3Le patrimoine - Comprehension7.1.4Le patrimoine - Comprehension 27.1.5Le patrimoine - Translations7.1.6Grammar - Adjectives
7.2

Comment le patrimoine reflète la culture

7.2.1Reflet de la culture - Vocab French to English7.2.2Reflet de la culture - Vocab English to French7.2.3Reflet de la culture - Comprehension7.2.4Reflet de la culture - Comprehension 27.2.5Reflet de la culture - Translations7.2.6Grammar - Subjunctive
7.3

Le patrimoine et le tourisme

7.3.1Tourisme - Vocab French to English7.3.2Tourisme - Vocab English to French7.3.3Tourisme - Comprehension7.3.4Tourisme - Comprehension 27.3.5Tourisme - Translations7.3.6Grammar - If clauses
7.4

Contemporary French music

7.4.1La musique - Vocab French to English7.4.2La musique - Vocab English to French7.4.3La musique - Comprehension7.4.4La musique - Grammar7.4.5La musique - Translations
8

Cinema: the 7th Art Form

8.1

Pourquoi le septième art?

8.1.1Pourquoi le 7e art - Vocab French to English8.1.2Pourquoi le 7e art - Vocab English to French8.1.3Pourquoi le 7e art - Comprehension8.1.4Pourquoi le 7e art - Comprehension 28.1.5Pourquoi le 7e art - Translations8.1.6Grammar - Infinitive clauses
8.2

Le cinéma - une passion nationale ?

8.2.1Une passion nationale - Vocab French to English8.2.2Une passion nationale - Vocab English to French8.2.3Une passion nationale - Comprehension8.2.4Une passion nationale - Comprehension 28.2.5Une passion nationale - Translations8.2.6Grammar - Conditional Perfect
8.3

Evolution du cinéma - les grandes lignes

8.3.1Evolution du cinéma - Vocab French to English8.3.2Evolution du cinéma - Vocab English to French8.3.3Evolution du cinéma - Comprehension8.3.4Evolution du cinéma - Comprehension 28.3.5Evolution du cinéma - Translations8.3.6Grammar - Pluperfect
9

Demonstrations, strikes – who holds the power?

9.1

Le pouvoir des syndicats

9.1.1Le pouvoir des syndicats - Vocab French to English9.1.2Le pouvoir des syndicats - Vocab English to French9.1.3Le pouvoir des syndicats - Comprehension9.1.4Le pouvoir des syndicats - Translations9.1.5Grammar - Pronouns
9.2

Manifestations et grèves – sont-elles efficaces ?

9.2.1Manifestations et grèves - Vocab French to English9.2.2Manifestations et grèves - Vocab English to French9.2.3Manifestations et grèves - Comprehension9.2.4Manifestations et grèves - Translations9.2.5Grammar - Relative pronouns
9.3

Attitudes différentes envers les tensions

9.3.1Attitudes différentes - Vocab French to English9.3.2Attitudes différentes - Vocab English to French9.3.3Attitudes différentes - Comprehension9.3.4Attitudes différentes - Translations9.3.5Grammar - Demonstratives
10

Politics & Immigration

10.1

Politiques d'intégration et immigration

10.1.1Politiques - Vocab French to English10.1.2Politiques - Vocab English to French10.1.3Politiques - Comprehension10.1.4Politiques - Comprehension 210.1.5Politiques - Translations
10.2

L'immigration et les partis politiques

10.2.1L'immigration - Vocab French to English10.2.2L'immigration - Vocab English to French10.2.3L'immigration - Comprehension10.2.4L'immigration - Comprehension 210.2.5L'immigration - Translations
10.3

L'engagement politique des immigrés

10.3.1L'engagement politique des immigrés - Vocab F to E10.3.2L'engagement politique des immigrés - Vocab E to F10.3.3L'engagement politique des immigrés - Comprehensio10.3.4L'engagement politique des immigrés - Comprehensio10.3.5L'engagement politique des immigrés - Translations
11

Conjugation & Use of Tenses

11.1

Present Tense

11.1.1Irregular IR Verbs That End in 'vrir'11.1.2Irregular RE Verbs11.1.3RE Present Participle11.1.4Irregular IR Verbs With No Pattern11.1.5Irregular IR Verbs That End in 'enir'11.1.6Regular IR Verbs11.1.7Reflexive Verbs11.1.8ER Present Participles11.1.95 Common IR Verbs11.1.10Stem-Changing Verbs11.1.11Irregular Present Participles11.1.12Irregular IR Verbs Like 'Partir'11.1.13Regular RE Verbs11.1.14Irregular ER Verbs - Aller11.1.15Modal Irregular IR Verbs11.1.165 Common RE Verbs11.1.17Irregular RE Verbs With No Pattern11.1.18Avoir11.1.19Être11.1.20Regular ER Verbs11.1.21IR Present Participle11.1.225 Common ER Verbs
11.2

Perfect Tense

11.2.1Perfect Infinitive
11.3

Imperfect Tense

11.3.1Imperfect vs Perfect Tense
11.4

Future Tense

11.4.1Future Tense - Regular ER Verbs11.4.2Future Tense - 5 Common ER Verbs11.4.3Future Tense - Regular IR Verbs11.4.4Future Tense - 5 Common IR Verbs11.4.5Future Tense - Regular RE Verbs11.4.6Future Tense - 5 Common RE Verbs11.4.7Immediate Future11.4.8Future Tense - Irregulars
11.5

Conditional Tense

11.5.1Conditional - Regular ER Verbs11.5.2Conditional - Regular IR Verbs11.5.3Conditional - Regular RE Verbs11.5.4Conditional - Irregulars
11.6

Future Perfect Tense

11.6.1Future Perfect11.6.2Future Perfect - Irregular Verbs11.6.3Future Perfect - Interrompre & Préférer11.6.4Future Perfect - Être, Aller & Avoir11.6.5Future Perfect - Faire, Pouvoir & Devoir
11.7

Conditional Perfect Tense

11.7.1Conditional Perfect11.7.2Conditional Perfect - Irregular Verbs11.7.3Conditional Perfect - Interrompre & Préférer11.7.4Conditional Perfect - Être, Aller & Avoir11.7.5Conditional Perfect - Faire, Pouvoir & Devoir
11.8

Pluperfect Tense

11.8.1The Pluperfect Tense with 'Avoir'11.8.2Pluperfect - Regular ER Verbs with 'Être'11.8.3Pluperfect - Regular IR & RE Verbs with 'Être'11.8.4Pluperfect - Irregular Verbs with 'Être'
12

Extra Grammar

12.1

Nouns

12.1.1The, A, Some, Any12.1.2Masculine Nouns12.1.3Feminine Nouns12.1.4Plural Nouns
12.2

Adjectives

12.2.1Agreement of Adjectives12.2.2Position of Adjectives: After the Noun12.2.3Position of Adjectives: Before the Noun12.2.4Position of Adjectives: Changing Meaning12.2.5Comparative & Superlative Adjectives12.2.6Demonstrative Adjectives12.2.7Indefinite Adjectives
12.3

Numerals

12.3.1What Time Is It?12.3.2Time of Year
12.4

Adverbs

12.4.1Formation of Adverbs
12.5

Quantifiers & Intensifiers

12.5.1Important Quantifiers & Intensifiers
12.6

Pronouns

12.6.1Personal & Object Pronouns12.6.2Emphatic Pronouns12.6.3Reflexive Pronouns12.6.4Relative Pronouns12.6.5Demonstrative Pronouns12.6.6Possessive Pronouns12.6.7Indefinite Pronouns & Using 'y', 'en'
12.7

Passive Voice

12.7.1Passive Voice: Present & Perfect12.7.2Passive Voice: Future & Imperfect12.7.3Avoiding Using the Passive Voice
12.8

Prepositions

12.8.1Prepositions12.8.2Prepositions 212.8.3Prepositions 312.8.4Prepositional Phrases
12.9

Conjunctions

12.9.1Coordinating Conjunctions
12.10

Negation

12.10.1Negative Participles
12.11

Questions

12.11.1Asking Questions

Unlock your full potential with Seneca Premium

  • Unlimited access to 10,000+ open-ended exam questions

  • Mini-mock exams based on your study history

  • Unlock 800+ premium courses & e-books

Get started with Seneca Premium

Apprentissage - Comprehension

Apprentissage - Translation