'Si' clauses

Si clauses are used to introduce a hypothetical action that decides another action.

The tense used in the hypothetical situation decides the tense that follows. 

Present tense              -            Present tense

S'il fait beau, je joue au tenis les lundis

If the weather's nice, I play tennis on Mondays

Present tense              -           Future tense

S'il fait beau demain, je jouerai au tenis

If the weather's nice tomorrow, I'll play tennis

Present tense              -           Imperative

S'il fait beau - joue au tenis! 

If the weather's nice - play tennis!

Passé composé tense      -         Present tense

Si tu as fini le travail, tu peux partir

If you have finished your work, you can go 

Passé composé tense        -         Future tense

Si tu as parlé avec lui, tu devras me raconter ce qu'il a dit ce soir

If you've spoken to him, you will have to tell me what he said tonight

Passé composé tense        -        Imperative 

Si tu as parlé avec lui, dis-moi tout ce soir!

If you have spoken with him, tell me everything tonight!

Imperfect tense                 -         Conditional tense

Si j'avais plus d'argent, j'achèterais une nouvelle voiture 

If I had more money, I would buy a new car

Pluperfect tense       -    Conditional perfect tense

Si j'avais acheté mon billet plus tôt, il aurait coûté moins cher

If I had bought my ticket earlier, it would have been cheaper

Answered by Lily G. French tutor

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