Question 1

This lesson is about conjunctions like jusqu'à ce que that take the subjunctive. Why isn't the subjunctive used after si here?

Accepted Answer

Unlike jusqu'à ce que (until), the conjunction si (if) never takes the subjunctive. Instead, French uses strict tense pairings for si clauses. To express a likely future outcome, you use si + present tense (est), followed by the future tense (cassera) in the main clause.

Question 2

Why is it Si la température est (present) when we are talking about a future outcome?

Accepted Answer

Just like in English (If the temperature is perfect), the verb immediately following si (if) must be in the present tense to describe a realistic condition for the future. You cannot use the future tense right after si in this type of sentence.

Question 3

Why does délicate come after poterie instead of before it?

Accepted Answer

In French, most adjectives go after the noun they describe. Adjectives that go before the noun are usually short, common ones relating to Beauty, Age, Goodness, or Size (the BAGS rule), like petit or beau. Since délicate doesn't fall into those categories, it naturally follows poterie.

Question 4

Could I say ne se cassera pas instead of ne cassera pas?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can! Both work here. Casser can be used on its own to mean 'to break'. Using the reflexive se casser is also very common when saying something breaks by itself, but the non-reflexive cassera used here is perfectly natural and correct.

Si la température est parfaite, la poterie délicate ne cassera pas.

Breakdown of Si la température est parfaite, la poterie délicate ne cassera pas.

Questions & Answers about Si la température est parfaite, la poterie délicate ne cassera pas.

Learn Si la température est parfaite, la poterie délicate ne cassera pas and more in French