Question 1

Why is partirait in the conditional tense here instead of the future tense?

Accepted Answer

Because this is past reported speech. When the introductory verb is in a past tense (a dit), an originally future action must shift to the present conditional (partirait) to express the "future in the past." If this were direct speech, the original quote would have used the standard future tense: "Je partirai demain" (I will leave tomorrow).

Question 2

Why do we use le lendemain instead of demain for "the next day"?

Accepted Answer

In past reported speech, time expressions must shift to reflect that the original "tomorrow" is now in the past. The word demain (tomorrow) always turns into le lendemain (the following day) when recounting what someone said previously.

Question 3

Could I use the verb quitterait here instead of partirait?

Accepted Answer

No, because the verb quitter strictly requires a direct object, meaning you have to state exactly what or whom is being left (for example, il quitterait la maison). Since no specific place is mentioned in this sentence, you must use partir, which works perfectly on its own without an object.

Question 4

Because there is a que (qu'il), shouldn't the following verb be in the subjunctive?

Accepted Answer

Not here. Dire is a verb of declaration, so when someone is simply stating a fact, it is followed by the indicative or conditional mood. You only use the subjunctive with dire if it is expressing a command or order, for example: Il a dit qu'il parte (He told him to leave).

Il a dit qu'il partirait le lendemain.

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