Title: Exprimer une condition

This structure has two main parts. First, you have the condition. This is the "if" part of your sentence. Second, you have the result. This is what happens if the condition is met. In English, we often use the word "then." In French, we usually just use a comma. It is like a grammar traffic light. The si part is the red light. You wait for the condition. The result part is the green light. You move forward. You can also flip the sentence. You can put the result first. Then you put the si part second. If you do this, you do not need a comma. It is very flexible. It is like a Lego set for your thoughts.

1. 1Start your sentence with the word si.
2. 2Add your subject, like tu or nous.
3. 3Use a verb in the present tense. This is very important.
4. 4Add a comma if you started with si.
5. 5State the result using another present tense verb.
6. 6Example: Si + tu étudies + , + tu réussis. (If you study, you succeed.)
7. 7Note: If the next word is il or ils, si becomes s'.
8. 8Example: S'il pleut, je reste à la maison. (If it rains, I stay home.)

Use this when things are actually possible. It is for real-life scenarios. Imagine you are at a French café. You might say: Si vous avez un croissant, je le prends. (If you have a croissant, I will take it.) Use it when asking for directions. Si je tourne ici, c'est la banque? (If I turn here, is it the bank?) Use it for social plans with friends. Si tu es libre, on va au cinéma. (If you are free, we are going to the cinema.) It works for job interviews too. Si le salaire est bon, j'accepte le poste. (If the salary is good, I accept the job.) It is perfect for daily logic.

Do not use si for things that are 100% certain. If the sun rises every morning, do not use si. Use quand (when) instead. Si is for "maybe." Also, do not use it for wild fantasies yet. If you want to say "If I were a dragon," that is a different level. Stay focused on real, possible things for now. Avoid using it to mean "yes" unless you are contradicting a negative question. That is a different French trick! Keep si for conditions to stay safe.

Native speakers see this one a lot! Never put the future tense immediately after si. Even if you are talking about tomorrow. In English, we might say "If it will rain." In French, this is a big no-no. Always use the present tense after si. Another mistake is the s' contraction. Only use it with il or ils. Do not use it with elle. Si elle is correct. S'elle is wrong. Don't let elle feel left out! Also, watch your commas. If si is in the middle, the comma disappears. It is like magic.

Let's look at si versus quand. Si is for uncertainty. Quand is for timing. Si je gagne means you might lose. Quand je gagne means you are very confident! Another one is si versus donc. Si sets the stage. Donc (therefore) gives the conclusion. They are like cousins. One starts the logic, the other finishes it. In English, we sometimes use "whether." French uses si for that too. Je ne sais pas si elle vient. (I don't know if/whether she is coming.)