Teaching guidelines +/- 15 minutes

Learn to use the zero conditional (Le conditionnel type zéro) in French to express universal truths with "si" + present tense, featuring examples like "si tu sors" (if you go out) and "tu te mouilles" (you get wet).
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

This lesson focuses on the zero conditional (le conditionnel type zéro) in French, which is used to express universal truths or facts that are always true. It is an essential structure for beginners (A1 level) to describe cause and effect relationships in daily life.

Structure and Examples

The zero conditional uses the following formula:

  • Si + present indicative + present indicative

Here are some typical examples:

FormulaExamples
Si + present indicative + present indicativeSi tu sors sous la pluie, tu te mouilles.
Si + present indicative + present indicativeSi tu étudies le français, tu apprends de nouveaux mots.
Si + present indicative + present indicativeSi tu additionnes deux plus deux, tu as quatre.

Notice that when the subject is il (he, it), si contracts to s'. For example: S'il ne vient pas, je ne le vois pas.

Key Vocabulary and Expressions

  • Si — if
  • Sors — go out (from the verb sortir)
  • Étudies — study (from étudier)
  • Apprends — learn (from apprendre)
  • Additionnes — add (from additionner)
  • As — have (from avoir)

Usage Tips

The zero conditional is commonly used to describe factual truths, scientific facts, or habitual actions. The present tense is used in both clauses to reflect this timeless quality.

Differences Between English and French in the Zero Conditional

In English, the zero conditional typically follows this pattern: if + present simple, present simple. Similarly, French uses the present indicative in both clauses with si meaning "if." One difference is the contraction of si to s' before il in French, which does not occur in English. Additionally, French verbs often require agreement with their subjects in present tense conjugations, so mastering verb endings is important.

Useful French phrases to remember:

  • Si tu te sens fatigué — If you feel tired
  • Si je vois un film triste — If I watch a sad movie
  • Si tu penses à quelqu’un — If you think of someone

The verbs sentir (to feel), voir (to see), and penser (to think) are commonly used in these examples, helping you express everyday causes and effects with certainty.

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

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Alessia Calcagni

Languages for communication in international enterprises and organizations

Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia

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Last Updated:

Thursday, 17/07/2025 22:55