Multiple Conditions: Replacing "Si" with "Que"
When linking two "if" clauses (e.g., "If X and if Y"), repeating si sounds clunky in French. Instead, replace the second si with que.
While the condition after si takes the indicative (like the present tense), the que always takes the subjunctive.
Pattern: Si + [indicative] + et que + [subjunctive]
| If the planet is uninhabitable and you want to terraform it, you must purify the air. | Si la planète est inhabitable et que vous vouliez la terraformer, il faut purifier l'air. |
Notice how the first verb is indicative (est), but the second is in the subjunctive (vouliez).
Here are more examples using this structure (remember that que contracts to qu' before a vowel):
| If we colonize space and there are more colonists, we will build bases. | Si nous colonisons l'espace et qu'il y ait plus de colons, nous construirons des bases. |
| If there is radiation and you are in weightlessness, you must stay in the ship. | S'il y a des radiations et que tu sois en apesanteur, tu dois rester dans le vaisseau. |
| If the base has a greenhouse and the air is breathable, the colonist is happy. | Si la base a une serre et que l'air soit respirable, le colon est content. |
| If you purify the water and the ecosystem can survive, we will be able to colonize the region. | Si tu purifies l'eau et que l'écosystème puisse survivre, nous pourrons coloniser la région. |
Your questions are stored by us to improve Elon.io