Language/French/Grammar/Conditional-Mood-and-Future-Tense

Distinguishing between the Conditional Mood and the Future Tense in French

Are you always hesitating between "je serais" (Conditional Mood) and "je serai" (Future Tense) ?? 🤔

Many learners tend to confuse these two tenses, which can result in incorrect usage. In this lesson, we will explain the differences between the conditional mood and the future tense and provide tips to help you use them correctly.

Conditional Mood

The conditional mood (le conditionnel) is used to express a hypothetical or future possibility. It is typically used to express things that are uncertain or dependent on specific conditions. For example: "Si je gagne à la loterie, je serais riche" (If I win the lottery, I will be rich)

Future Tense

The future tense (le futur simple) is used to express a future event that is certain to occur. It is used to describe things that will happen in the future, regardless of any conditions. For example: "Je serai à la maison demain à midi" (I will be at home tomorrow at noon)

Differences

1. Formation: The conditional mood is formed by using the present tense of the verb "avoir" followed by the past participle, whereas the future tense is formed by using the infinitive form of the verb followed by the future endings.
2. Usage: The conditional mood is used to express a hypothetical or uncertain future, while the future tense is used to express a future event that is certain to occur.

Tips for making the distinction

1. Ask yourself if the event is dependent on specific conditions. If it is, use the conditional mood. If it's not, use the future tense.
2. Pay attention to the verb conjugation. If the verb is followed by the past participle, it is likely the conditional mood. If it is followed by the future endings, it is the future tense.
3. Try to understand the context. Does the speaker want to express uncertainty or a future event that is certain to occur?

Practice: Try writing a few sentences in both the conditional mood and the future tense to get a better feel for the differences between the two tenses. For example:

• Si je trouve un emploi, je serai heureux (Conditional Mood)
• Je travaillerai pour une entreprise française (Future Tense)

If an action will be done with certainty, we use the future tense.

• For example: Demain, je serai à l'école

Tomorrow, I will be at school

If have difficuties, there is a trick: Just change the pronoun.

• For example: je serai à Paris. Tu seras à Paris = futur de l'indicatif.

I will be in Paris. You will be in Paris = indicative future.

• Je serais à Paris. Tu serais à Pais = Présent du conditionnel

I would be in Paris. You would be in Paris = Conditional tense

Conclusion

The conditional mood and the future tense are two important tenses in the French language, but they are often confused by learners. By understanding the differences between the two and using the tips provided in this lesson, you can start using them correctly and confidently in your French conversations.

Author

Rua