Hypothetical Phrases Requ

At its heart, a hypothetical sentence is a deal between two ideas. "If X happens, then Y follows." The word si is your primary tool here. It’s the French equivalent of "if." You use it to set a condition. Once that condition is met, the rest of the sentence tells you the result. It's like a grammar traffic light: the first part is the "if" light, and the second part is the "go" light. The best part? At this stage, you mostly use the present tense. It’s straightforward, reliable, and gets the job done without any complicated conjugation gymnastics. You’re essentially just gluing two present-tense sentences together with a si and a comma. It’s like building with LEGO bricks. One brick is the condition (si + present), and the other brick is the consequence (present or command). You don't need fancy tenses yet. If you can conjugate être, avoir, and regular -er verbs in the present, you’re already 90% of the way there. The rest is just placement and a little bit of French rhythm. Think of it as a logical handshake between two thoughts.

1. 1Setting up a basic hypothesis in French follows a clear, two-step logic.
2. 2The Condition: Start with si. Then add your subject and your verb in the present tense. For example: Si tu as faim (If you are hungry).
3. 3The Result: Add a comma, then tell us what happens. You can use another present tense verb or an imperative (a command). For example: ... mange une pomme (... eat an apple).
4. 4The "S'il" Rule: If the word after si starts with il or ils, si becomes s'il or s'ils. Think of it as a tiny vocal shortcut. It prevents the "ee-ee" sound of si il which French people find slightly annoying. It’s the grammar equivalent of smoothing out a wrinkle in your shirt.
5. 5The "No-Go" for others: But wait! This only happens with il. For elle or on, it stays as si elle or si on. No s'elle or s'on allowed! French likes to keep its favorites, and il just happened to win the contraction lottery.
6. 6Switching order: You can also flip the sentence! Je mange si j'ai faim (I eat if I'm hungry). Notice how the comma disappears when si is in the middle. It’s like the word si acts as the glue, so the comma isn't needed anymore. It's cleaner, faster, and very natural.
7. 7Reflexive Verbs: These work exactly the same way. Si tu te couches tard, tu es fatigué. (If you go to bed late, you are tired). Just keep the reflexive pronoun in its usual spot.

You'll use this pattern more often than you think. It's the language of daily negotiation and survival.

• In a Restaurant: "If you have snails, I'll try them." (Si vous avez des escargots, j'essaie.) Or, "If the wine is good, I'll take a bottle." (Si le vin est bon, je prends une bouteille.) This is how you negotiate your way to a great meal.
• Asking Directions: "If I turn left here, is it the museum?" (Si je tourne à gauche ici, c'est le musée ?) This is a lifesaver when you're lost in a new city and your GPS is being moody or you've accidentally ended up in a bakery instead of the Louvre.
• Planning with Friends: "If you're free tonight, let's go to the cinema." (Si tu es libre ce soir, allons au cinéma.) It’s the perfect way to make plans without being too pushy. It gives your friend an "out" if they're actually busy watching Netflix.
• At Work or School: "If you don't understand, ask the teacher." (Si vous ne comprenez pas, demandez au professeur.)
• Shopping: "If this dress is expensive, I don't buy it." (Si cette robe est chère, je ne l'achète pas.)

It makes you sound much more flexible and conversational. Instead of just stating facts, you’re interacting with the world. You're not just a robot reciting verbs; you're a negotiator!

Don't get ahead of yourself! As an A1 learner, you should avoid using si for a few things to keep your sanity and avoid grammar-induced meltdowns.

• Past Regrets: "If I had known..." This requires the pluperfect and conditional. It’s a one-way ticket to a headache right now. Save it for your B1 year when you're feeling more adventurous.
• Imaginary Worlds: "If I were a billionaire..." This uses the imperfect and conditional. Again, this is for later. Stick to things that are actually possible today or tomorrow. No need to build castles in the sky just yet.
• Absolute Certainty: If something is definitely going to happen, use quand (when) instead. Si is for the "maybe" pile. For example, don't say "If I go to bed tonight..." unless you're planning on staying up forever. Use Quand there. It sounds a bit existential otherwise.
• Future Tense after Si: This is the most important rule. Never put the future tense directly after si. It’s always the present. Even if you’re talking about next week. "If I come next week" is Si je viens la semaine prochaine, NOT Si je viendrai. French is strict about this one, like a librarian shushing you for being too loud.

Even native speakers stumble sometimes, but you can avoid these classic traps and look like a pro:

• The "S'elle" Mistake: I know it’s tempting to contract si with everything because it sounds cool, but it ONLY works with il and ils. Saying s'elle sounds like you’re trying to invent a new language. Stick to si elle. It’s a bit more work, but it’s the correct way.
• Mixing Tenses: Beginners often try to use the English "will" logic. "If it will rain..." (which we don't even say in English, but we think it). In French, the si part stays in the present. Think of the si clause as an anchor—it stays grounded in the present while the rest of the sentence can look ahead.
• Forgetting the Comma: While you’re speaking, you can’t see the comma, but in writing, it’s a vital signpost. Without it, your sentences can get a bit blurry. It's like driving without lane markers—possible, but unnecessarily stressful.
• Double 'Si': Sometimes people try to say "If... if..." No, you only need one si to set the condition. If you use two, you're basically double-booking your logic.
• Pronunciation: Don't forget that the i in si is short and sharp. It’s not "see-ee," it’s si. Think of it like a quick little tap on a piano key.

How do you know when to use si instead of other "joining" words? Here’s the breakdown:

• Si vs Quand: This is the big one. Si is for "Maybe yes, maybe no." Quand is for "It will happen, I just don't know exactly when." If you say Si je rentre à la maison (If I go home), people will ask why you might not go home! Are you planning a secret life in a forest? Probably not. Use Quand for your daily routine.
• Si vs Comme: Comme (Since/As) is used when the reason is already known and agreed upon. "As it's raining, I have an umbrella." Si would be "If it's raining (I'm not sure), I have an umbrella." One is a fact, the other is a possibility.
• Si vs Peut-être: Peut-être means "maybe" as an adverb. Si is a conjunction that connects two ideas. You can't replace one with the other. "Maybe he's here" is Peut-être qu'il est ici. "If he is here, I'm happy" is S'il est ici, je suis content. One describes a state, the other sets a condition.