Never use conditional after "si"

Think of a condition like a simple deal. If "A" happens, then "B" will follow. You need two parts to make this work. The first part is the condition itself. This part always starts with si. The second part is the result of that condition. In English, we are sometimes a bit flexible with tenses. French is much more disciplined. It follows a very clear logic path. You must pair specific tenses together like a perfect outfit. If you pick the wrong pair, it looks a bit messy. It is like wearing flip-flops with a tuxedo. We want to avoid that grammar fashion faux pas. The logic is: if the condition is real, use one set. If the condition is a dream, use another set.

1. 1Building these sentences is like following a simple recipe.
2. 2Start your sentence with the word si.
3. 3Choose the verb for your condition.
4. 4If the event is likely, use the present tense.
5. 5If the event is a dream, use the imperfect tense.
6. 6Add a comma to separate your thoughts.
7. 7Write your result clause.
8. 8Pair a present condition with a future tense result.
9. 9Pair an imperfect condition with a conditional tense result.
10. 10Never, ever put a conditional verb right after si.
11. 11It is a simple "if-then" flow that keeps your thoughts organized.

Use this pattern when you are planning your life. Are you ordering food at a bistro? "If you have the soup, I will take it." Use si for that. Are you asking for directions in Paris? "If I turn here, will I see the tower?" That is a perfect spot for si. It is also great for job interviews. "If I get this job, I will work very hard." You can even use it for casual chats with friends. "If it is sunny, we will go to the park." It helps you navigate real-world choices. It also lets you explore imaginary worlds. "If I won the lottery, I would buy a castle." It is the key to expressing your desires and plans.

This is the most important section of this guide. You must never put the conditional tense immediately after si. This is a hard boundary in French grammar. It is like a "No Entry" sign on a one-way street. You might feel tempted to say Si je serais. You must stop yourself right there! That is a major mistake that hurts native ears. The conditional tense belongs in the result clause only. It never belongs in the si clause. Think of si as a zone where conditional verbs are banned. It is a safe space for the present and the imperfect. If you see an ending like -rais right after si, delete it immediately. Your French will instantly sound 100% better.

The most frequent error is the "Double Conditional." This happens when you use the conditional in both parts. In English, we sometimes say "If I would have known..." In French, this is a crime. Another mistake is mixing the "likely" and "unlikely" pairs. Do not pair a present verb with a conditional result. Do not pair an imperfect verb with a future result. It sounds very confusing to a listener. It is like trying to play a CD in a toaster. Another small mistake is the spelling of si. It only shortens to s' before the words il or ils. It stays si before elle or on. Keep an eye on those small details.

In English, we are often quite relaxed with our "if" sentences. We might say "If I was you." French demands more precision. We use the imperfect: Si j'étais vous. English also uses "would" in the "if" part quite often in casual speech. French never allows this. Another pattern to watch is the word quand (when). In French, quand often takes the future tense. But si refuses to work that way. Si prefers the present tense for real things. It is a unique quirk of the language. Just remember that si is the boss of its own little world. It has its own set of friends and its own set of enemies.