Si je rate le dernier train, je rentrerai plus tard ce soir.

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Breakdown of Si je rate le dernier train, je rentrerai plus tard ce soir.

• le soir: the evening
• ce: this
• si: if
• plus tard: later
• rater: to miss
• dernier: last
• le train: the train
• rentrer: to return

Questions & Answers about Si je rate le dernier train, je rentrerai plus tard ce soir.

What does the sentence mean?

The sentence means "If I miss the last train, I will return home later tonight." It’s a conditional statement outlining a possible situation (missing the train) and its consequence (coming home later).

What is the role of the word si in the sentence?

Si is a conditional conjunction equivalent to "if" in English. It introduces the condition on which the result or consequence depends.

Why is the present tense used in the if-clause and the future tense in the main clause?

In French, when expressing a future possibility, the condition is stated in the present tense (here, "je rate") while the result is expressed in the future simple (here, "je rentrerai"). This standard construction clearly establishes the cause-and-effect relationship between the two clauses.

What does rate mean in this context, and how is it used grammatically?

Rate is the first person singular present form of the verb rater, meaning "to miss" (as in not catching a train). Grammatically, it sets the condition of the sentence—what happens if the speaker misses the train.

How do the time expressions "plus tard ce soir" function in the sentence?

Plus tard ce soir translates to "later tonight." It specifies when the action of the main clause (returning home) will take place, adding a clear time reference to the outcome of the condition.

What is the overall structure of this conditional sentence?

The sentence follows a standard conditional structure in French: • The condition is introduced by si and is expressed in the present tense ("Si je rate le dernier train"). • The consequence is presented in the future simple tense ("je rentrerai plus tard ce soir"). This structure clearly separates the condition from its future consequence.