Conditionnel ou futur simple : ont-ils les mêmes radicaux?
In French, the future simple and conditional present share the same verb stems but use different endings. Learning these patterns will help you express future actions, possibilities, and polite requests with confidence.
1. Future Simple
Endings: -ai, -as, -a, -ons, -ez, -ent (added to the infinitive form of the verb, except for irregular verbs like être [to be] and avoir [to have]).
When to Use It:
Future actions:
“Tomorrow, I will travel to Marseille.” (Demain, je voyagerai à Marseille.)Predictions or assumptions:
“That smell? It’ll be Mom baking a cake.” (Cette odeur ? Ce sera Maman qui fait un gâteau.)Polite commands:
“You will finish this report by Friday.” (Vous finirez ce rapport avant vendredi.)
Pro Tip: The future tense can also imply a logical conclusion, like:
“You’re yawning—you’ll probably sleep early tonight.” (Tu bâilles—tu dormiras tôt ce soir.)
2. Conditional Present
Endings: -ais, -ais, -ait, -ions, -iez, -aient (same stems as the future tense, but with these endings).
When to Use It:
- Polite requests:
“I would like a coffee, please.” (Je voudrais un café, s’il vous plaît.)
Wishes or dreams:
“She would love to visit New York.” (Elle aimerait visiter New York.)Uncertainty or rumors:
“They say he would be leaving soon.” (On dit qu’il partirait bientôt.)Suggestions:
“We could go to the movies tonight.” (Nous pourrions aller au cinéma ce soir.)Regrets:
“You shouldn’t have said that.” (Tu n’aurais pas dû dire ça.)
Key Note: The conditional often appears in hypothetical “if” sentences:
“If I won the lottery, I would buy a castle.” (Si je gagnais à la loterie, j’achèterais un château.)
Quick Comparison Table
| Subject | Future Simple | Conditional Present |
|---|---|---|
| Je | -ai (parlerai) | -ais (parlerais) |
| Tu | -as (parleras) | -ais (parlerais) |
| Il/Elle | -a (parlera) | -ait (parlerait) |
| Nous | -ons (parlerons) | -ions (parlerions) |
| Vous | -ez (parlerez) | -iez (parleriez) |
| Ils/Elles | -ent (parleront) | -aient (parleraient) |
Example:
- Future: “I will speak” (Je parlerai)
- Conditional: “I would speak” (Je parlerais)
Practice Tip: Memorize the stems of common irregular verbs (ser- for être, aur- for avoir), then add the endings. You may also use this pdf to recapitulate.