French Exercise - Si Clause Threads, First Conditional

This practice exercise can be done as a class or in small groups. It requires familiarity with the first conditional (si clauses), including present, future, and imperative conjugations.

What to do

Print out a table for each group (see below).

Write the first part of a conditional sentence beginning with si (see suggestions below) in the first table cell. Since this is the first conditional, the si clause needs to be in the present tense.

Invent a "result" clause, using the present, future, or imperative, for the second cell.

For example:

If clause	Result clause
Si tu es prêt,	nous partirons.
Next, transform the result clause into a si clause and write it in the first column of the second row. (Remember that the verb which was in the result clause now needs to be in the present tense.) Then invent a corresponding result clause to continue the thread.
Si tu es prêt,	nous partirons.
Si nous partons,	nous prendrons ma voiture.
Transform the second result clause into a si clause, and so on, until you have completed the thread.
Si tu es prêt,	nous partirons.
Si nous partons,	nous prendrons ma voiture.
Si nous prenons ma voiture,	ne fume pas.
Si tu ne fumes pas,	je te laisserai écouter la radio.

To make sure students understand the exercise, start by demonstrating on the board: write a si clause and call on students as you go through the entire thread collectively.

Then divide the class into groups of 2-4 students and provide each group with an "if" clause, or have them come up with their own. After each group has completed their thread, either have students read them out loud, or - if there are likely to be a lot of mistakes, as in the case of weaker students - collect the papers and read the threads out loud yourself, either correcting them as you read, or writing the sentences on the board and going over them together.

Variations

To challenge students' creativity, have each group start with the same si clause, and then compare how each one turned out at the end.
Assign a different si clause to each group, and after they have each completed one row of the table, have them trade with another group. Each group will then complete the clause in the other groups' tables, and then exchange once again with a third group.
You can also use this exercise to practice the second conditional and the third conditional.

Starter clauses

You and your students can of course invent your own "if" clauses,* but here are some ideas to get started:

Si je me lève tôt
Si je parle trop vite
Si je perds mon portefeuille
Si je ne réussis pas à cet examen
Si je ne trouve pas mes clés
Si je trouve une bague de diamants
Si je vois mon ex-copain (ou mon ex-copine)
Si je voyage en Afrique
Si nous regardons la télé
Si nous travaillons ensemble
Si on fais les devoirs tous les jours
Si on mange trop
Si on ne vote pas
Si on tombe malade à l'école
Si l'ordinateur ne marche pas
Si tu es en retard
Si tu ne sais pas nager
Si tu trouves mon livre
Si tu vois Jean-Marc
Si un mobile commence à sonner pendant la classe

Tables

This exercise needs tables with two columns and four rows.

I have provided a printable page of tables in both PDF and Microsoft Word formats; you can save and edit the latter if, for example, you want to type the starter "if" clause into the first cell of each table. Print enough copies so that you can cut them up and provide at least one table for each group of students.