Use of 'si' clauses

    AQA
    GCSE

    The mastery of 'si' clauses (les propositions conditionnelles) is the definitive marker of advanced syntactic competence in French. It requires the precise manipulation of tense sequences across the Indicative and Conditional moods to express varying degrees of probability: the Real (L'éventuel), the Potential (L'irréel du présent), and the Counterfactual (L'irréel du passé). Candidates must demonstrate rigid adherence to the 'concordance des temps' to convey hypothesis and consequence accurately.

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    Objectives
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    Exam Tips
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    Pitfalls
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    Key Terms
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    Mark Points

    What You Need to Demonstrate

    Key skills and knowledge for this topic

    • Award marks for accurate sequencing: 'Si' + Present followed by Future Simple (e.g., 'Si j'ai le temps, je ferai...').
    • Credit 'Si' + Imperfect followed by Conditional (e.g., 'Si j'étais riche, j'achèterais...') as evidence of high-level grammatical manipulation.
    • Penalize the immediate use of Future or Conditional tenses after 'si' (e.g., 'Si j'aurai' or 'Si je serais') as a serious error.
    • Assess the correct elision of 'si' to 's'il' before 'il/ils', while ensuring 'si' remains full before 'elle/elles'.

    Example Examiner Feedback

    Real feedback patterns examiners use when marking

    • "You have used a 'si' clause, but check the tense pairing—remember 'Si' + Imperfect leads to Conditional."
    • "Excellent use of the hypothetical structure; ensure you elide 'si' correctly before 'il'."
    • "To secure higher range marks, replace basic future sentences with a 'si' clause construction."
    • "Avoid 'Si j'aurais'; this is a critical grammatical error that limits your accuracy mark."

    Marking Points

    Key points examiners look for in your answers

    • Award marks for accurate sequencing: 'Si' + Present followed by Future Simple (e.g., 'Si j'ai le temps, je ferai...').
    • Credit 'Si' + Imperfect followed by Conditional (e.g., 'Si j'étais riche, j'achèterais...') as evidence of high-level grammatical manipulation.
    • Penalize the immediate use of Future or Conditional tenses after 'si' (e.g., 'Si j'aurai' or 'Si je serais') as a serious error.
    • Assess the correct elision of 'si' to 's'il' before 'il/ils', while ensuring 'si' remains full before 'elle/elles'.

    Examiner Tips

    Expert advice for maximising your marks

    • 💡In the 150-word Higher Tier essay, explicitly plan one 'si' clause to satisfy the 'complex structures' criterion.
    • 💡Prepare a 'safety' conditional phrase for the General Conversation (Speaking), such as 'Si j'avais le choix, je voudrais...'.
    • 💡Verify verb stems in the Future and Conditional to ensure they are distinct from the Imperfect (e.g., 'ferais' vs 'faisais').
    • 💡Use 'si' clauses to justify opinions, linking the grammar directly to the content requirements of the mark scheme.

    Common Mistakes

    Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers

    • Using the conditional tense in the 'si' clause (e.g., 'Si je serais' instead of 'Si j'étais').
    • Failure to elide 'si' before a vowel sound (writing 'si il' instead of 's'il').
    • Mismatched tense pairing, such as mixing Present with Conditional without semantic justification (e.g., 'Si je vais en ville, je mangerais').

    Key Terminology

    Essential terms to know

    Likely Command Words

    How questions on this topic are typically asked

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