Why present tense not conditional?

G B.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Why present tense not conditional?

The sentence to be translated - You could come with Alice and me if you want.

The correct response - Tu peux venir avec Alice et moi si tu veux.

What is the rule here regarding present tense vs conditional?

Asked 2 years ago
Maarten K.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor Correct answer

If clause - ‘Si tu veux…’ - present tense. The ‘then’ clause will use either present, future or imperative, not conditional. https://www.lawlessfrench.com/grammar/si-clauses-conditionals/

Jim J.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Hi G,

To write "Si tu veux" sets a condition/option in the normal sense so I would expect the conditional mood.

But it can depend on what was in the mind of the speaker.

Often in English, we hear this type of phrasing when a "condition" is not really implied - just a normal speaking style using a mild or gentle type of tone.

Bonne journée

Jim

G B.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

So it's a style thing rather than a fixed grammar rule? 

Would -Tu pourrais venir avec moi si tu veux be correct also?

G B.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Ah yes, I remember now! I need to revisit that lesson. Thank you.

Why present tense not conditional?

The sentence to be translated - You could come with Alice and me if you want.

The correct response - Tu peux venir avec Alice et moi si tu veux.

What is the rule here regarding present tense vs conditional?

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