Question 1

Why is ratait in the imperfect tense rather than the conditional?

Accepted Answer

This sentence uses a classic si clause to express a hypothetical situation. In French, the rule is always si + imperfect tense, followed by the conditional tense in the main clause (développerait). You can never put a conditional verb directly after si.

Question 2

I learned that rater means 'to miss'. How does it mean 'failed' here?

Accepted Answer

Rater is a very versatile verb! While it does mean 'to miss' an object or event (like a train or an appointment), it is also widely used to mean 'to fail' or 'to mess up' a test, a recipe, or a process like fermentation. Its opposite in this context is réussir (to succeed).

Question 3

Why is se développerait reflexive here? Couldn't we just say ne développerait pas?

Accepted Answer

When something grows, spreads, or develops on its own (like mold, a disease, or a trend), French uses the reflexive se développer. If you used the non-reflexive développer, it would require a direct object, implying that someone is actively developing something (like a scientist developing a cure).

Question 4

Moisissure is a tricky word. Is there a rule to help remember its gender?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Nouns ending in the suffix -ure are almost always feminine in French. Recognizing patterns like this (la moisissure, la nature, la culture, la voiture) makes guessing noun genders much easier at this level.

Si la fermentation ratait, la moisissure ne se développerait pas.

Breakdown of Si la fermentation ratait, la moisissure ne se développerait pas.

Questions & Answers about Si la fermentation ratait, la moisissure ne se développerait pas.

Learn Si la fermentation ratait, la moisissure ne se développerait pas and more in French