Question

French Tutorial: Le conditionnel

Answer 1

\({\bf{Le~conditionnel:}}\) or the conditional, is used for actions that are dependent on some condition

ex: Je dormirais si je n'avais pas de travail. (I would sleep if I didn't have work.) in this sentence, "if I didn't have work" is the condition upon which the action (dormirais) depends.

To form the conditional, take the infinitive and add the appropriate verb ending. For -re verbs, drop the final e first. Verbs with spelling changes in the future tense retain the same stem changes.

Conjugations:
je: -ais
tu: -ais
il/elle/on: -ait
nous: -ions
vous: -iez
ils/elles: -aient

example:
aimer

j'aimerais
tu aimerais
il/elle/on aimerait
nous aimerions
vous aimeriez
ils/elles aimeraient

aller --> ir + verb ending

j'irais
tu irais
il/elle irait
nous irions
vous iriez
ils/elles iraient

Answer 2

\({\bf{Uses:}}\)
- if clauses: to describe actions that would take place if certain conditions are met

Si tu étais plus gentil, tu aurais peut-être plus d'amis. (If you were nicer, maybe you'd have more friends.)

- advice/recommendations: use the conditional form of devoir, plus the appropriate infinitive

Ils devraient travailler plus dur. (They should work harder.)

- requests/wishes:

Pourriez-vous me donner un verre? (Could you get me a drink?) note that this is based on pouvoir, which is irregular.

- future actions referenced from the past:

Je doutais qu'elle me remercierait. (I doubted she would thank me.)

Answer 3

\({\bf{References:}}\)

Rochester, Myrna B. Easy French Step-by-Step, United States, McGraw-Hill Education, 2009, 319-321.

https://www.lawlessfrench.com/grammar/conditional-mood/

CollinsDictionary for French and English translations

Forvo (https://forvo.com/), a French pronunciation database with samples from native French speakers