À condition que

This phrase acts as a bridge between two parts of a sentence. The first part is what you are willing to do. The second part is what needs to happen. But here is the catch: French grammar likes to keep you on your toes. When you use à condition que, the verb that follows must change into a special mood called the Subjunctive. Don't let that word scare you! At the A1 level, you can think of the Subjunctive as a "moody" version of a verb that we use for requirements or things that aren't 100% certain yet. Because the condition hasn't been met yet, the verb reflects that uncertainty. It is like a grammar traffic light. The first part of your sentence is the car waiting at the line, and the à condition que part is the light. It only turns green once the condition is satisfied. Yes, even native speakers sometimes forget the special verb change, but learning it now will make you sound incredibly polished.

1. 1Setting this up is like following a simple recipe. You only need three main ingredients:
2. 2Start with your main idea (what will happen). For example: Je viens (I am coming).
3. 3Add the magic bridge: à condition que.
4. 4Finish with the condition using a subject and a Subjunctive verb. For example: tu sois là (you are there).
5. 5Put it all together: Je viens à condition que tu sois là.
6. 6To make the Subjunctive for most verbs, you take the "they" form of the present tense, drop the ending, and add e, es, e, ions, iez, ent. It sounds complex, but for many common verbs at your level, it sounds very similar to the normal present tense. Just remember: the que is the signal that a change is coming!

Use à condition que whenever there is a specific deal on the table.

• Social Plans: "I'll go to the party à condition que you drive me home."
• At Work: "I can finish the report à condition que I have the data by noon."
• At Home: "You can watch TV à condition que you finish your homework."
• Ordering Food: "I'll take the salad à condition que the dressing is on the side."

It is perfect for those moments where you want to be clear about your boundaries. It avoids misunderstandings because it lays the rules out clearly. It is much stronger than just saying "if."

Don't use this for general facts or things that happen automatically. For example, don't say "Water boils à condition que you heat it." That is just a scientific fact, so use si (if) instead. Also, avoid using it if the subject of both parts of the sentence is the same person. If *you* are doing both things, French prefers a different phrase: à condition de.

• Wrong: Je mange à condition que je finisse mon travail. (Sounds clunky!)
• Better: Je mange à condition de finir mon travail. (Much smoother!)

Keep à condition que for when two different people or things are involved in the deal.

1. 1Forgetting the que: Many learners just say à condition... and then stop. The que is essential! It is the glue that holds the sentence together.
2. 2Using the Normal Tense: This is the big one. It is tempting to say à condition que tu es là. But remember, that traffic light is still red! You must use the subjunctive: à condition que tu sois là.
3. 3Mixing up with Si: Si is for possibilities. À condition que is for strict requirements. If you use à condition que for a simple "if," you might sound a bit too dramatic, like a villain in a movie making a demand!

How is this different from si? Think of si as a casual friend. "If it rains, I stay home." No big deal. À condition que is more like a business partner. "I will sign the contract à condition que you pay me today." It implies a trade.

There is also pourvu que. This means "provided that" too, but it carries a sense of hope. You use pourvu que when you really *want* something to happen. You use à condition que when you are setting a rule. One is a wish; the other is a requirement. If you are waiting for a bus, you might pray, "Pourvu que the bus arrives!" But if you are talking to the bus driver, you say, "I'll get on à condition que you go to the city center."