Teaching guidelines +/- 15 minutes

Learn about the zero conditional in French, which expresses universal truths using the present indicative tense. Discover the formula "Si + présent de l'indicatif + présent de l'indicatif" with practical examples, and understand the contraction "s'" before "il." This lesson is ideal for A1 learners seeking to grasp this essential grammar point.
Formule (Formula)Exemples (Examples)
Si + présent de l'indicatif + présent de l'indicatifSi tu sors sous la pluie, tu te mouilles (If you go out in the rain, you get wet.)
Si + présent de l'indicatif + présent de l'indicatifSi tu étudies le français, tu apprends de nouveaux mots.  (If you study French, you learn new words.)
Si + présent de l'indicatif + présent de l'indicatifSi tu additionnes deux plus deux, tu as quatre. (If you add two plus two, you have four.)

Exceptions!

  1. Before the subject "il", "si" becomes "s'". Example: S'il ne vient pas, je ne le vois pas.

Exercise 1: Le conditionnel type zéro

Instruction: Fill in the correct word.

Show translation Show answers

dors, aimes, est, manges, ont, ouvres, mets, offre

1. Mettre:
: Si tu ... du sucre dans le café, il devient sucré.
(If you put sugar in coffee, it becomes sweet.)
2. Avoir:
: Si les plantes ... de l'eau, elles poussent.
(If plants have water, they grow.)
3. Manger:
: Si tu ne ... pas quand tu rentre, tu as faim.
(If you don't eat when you get in, you are hungry.)
4. Ouvrir:
: Si tu ... la fenêtre, l'air rentre.
(If you open the window, air comes in.)
5. Offrir:
: S'il ... un cadeau à son ami, il est content.
(If he gives a gift to his friend, he is happy.)
6. Aimer:
: Si tu ... vraiment cette fille, tu es amoureux.
(If you really like this girl, you are in love.)
7. Dormir:
: Si tu ne ... pas la nuit, tu es fatigué.
(If you do not sleep at night, you are tired.)
8. Être:
: S'il ... effrayé par les oiseaux, il crie souvent dans la rue.
(If he is scared of birds, he often screams in the street.)

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice

Instruction: Choose the correct solution

1. Si tu te ____, tu dois te reposer.

(If you ____, you have to rest.)

2. Si je ____ un film triste, je me sens mal.

(If I ____ a sad movie, I feel bad.)

3. Si tu ____ à quelqu’un que tu aimes, tu es content.

(If you ____ about someone you love, you are happy.)

4. Si nous ____ de la joie, nous sourions.

(If we ____ joy, we smile.)

5. Si tu ____ trop, tu te sens mal.

(If you ____ too much, you feel bad.)

6. Si elle est ____, elle parle vite.

(If she is ____, she speaks quickly.)

Understanding the Zero Conditional in French

In this lesson, you will learn about the zero conditional (le conditionnel type zéro), a fundamental grammatical structure used to express universal truths and facts in French. This form combines two clauses with "si" (if), both using the present tense, to state something always true under certain conditions.

Structure and Examples

The formula is simple: Si + present indicative + present indicative. For example: Si tu sors sous la pluie, tu te mouilles. (If you go out in the rain, you get wet.) This conditional doesn't indicate possibility or wish but certainty, like laws of nature or common knowledge.

  • Si tu étudies le français, tu apprends de nouveaux mots. (If you study French, you learn new words.)
  • Si tu additionnes deux plus deux, tu as quatre. (If you add two plus two, you get four.)

Special Note on "S'" Before "Il"

When the subject is "il," "si" contracts to "s'". For instance, S'il ne vient pas, je ne le vois pas. means "If he doesn't come, I don't see him." This contraction is common and important to recognize in spoken and written French.

Differences Between English and French Zero Conditional

In English, the zero conditional also implies general truths, formed similarly with "if + present simple + present simple." However, in French, both verbs are in the present indicative with a fixed formula, and "si" contracts before "il," which is not a feature in English. Knowing these subtleties helps avoid confusion and enrich conversation.

Useful Words and Phrases

  • Si (If)
  • Présent de l'indicatif (Present indicative)
  • Vérité universelle (Universal truth)
  • S' (Contraction of "si" before "il")

This lesson provides a clear introduction to forming and understanding these expressions, making it easier to discuss facts, rules, and habits naturally in French.

Written by

This content has been designed and reviewed by the coLanguage pedagogical team: About coLanguage

Profile Picture

Alessia Calcagni

Languages for communication in international enterprises and organizations

Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia

University_Logo

Last Updated:

Thursday, 29/05/2025 15:47