Real conditions: si + present

For real or likely conditions, use si + present. The main clause can be present, future or imperative.

Rules

• Never the future or conditional after si: Si il pleuvra ✗.
• si + il / ils becomes s’il / s’ils. But si elle, si on: no elision.
• The si-clause can come second: Je t’appelle si j’ai besoin d’aide.

Examples

• Si j’ai le temps, j’irai à la salle de sport.If I have time, I’ll go to the gym.
• Si tu ne comprends pas, demande-moi.If you don’t understand, ask me.
• S’il fait beau, on mange dehors.If the weather is nice, we eat outside.
• Je viendrai si tu m’invites.I’ll come if you invite me.
• Si tu viens, je préparerai un gâteau.If you come, I’ll make a cake.

Common mistakes

• ✗ Si il pleut, nous restons.✓ S’il pleut, nous restons.Si loses its i before il, an elision English if never has.
• ✗ Si j’aurai le temps, j’irai.✓ Si j’ai le temps, j’irai.The si-clause takes the present, never the future.
• ✗ S’elle vient, je serai content.✓ Si elle vient, je serai content.Si only elides before il and ils, not before elle.
• ✗ Si tu auras faim, mange quelque chose.✓ Si tu as faim, mange quelque chose.After si the verb is in the present, even though the situation lies in the future, as in English if it rains.
• ✗ Je resterai si tu me demanderais.✓ Je resterai si tu me demandes.The conditional cannot follow si in a real condition, whereas English would sometimes can.