Nous gagnerons du temps si nous dormons suffisamment avant le voyage.

we

Breakdown of Nous gagnerons du temps si nous dormons suffisamment avant le voyage.

• avant: before
• du: some
• si: if
• le voyage: the trip
• le temps: the time
• dormir: to sleep
• gagner: to gain
• suffisamment: enough

Questions & Answers about Nous gagnerons du temps si nous dormons suffisamment avant le voyage.

Why is the main clause in the future simple ("gagnerons") while the conditional clause uses the present tense ("dormons")?

In French, when you express a likely future outcome, the "if" clause (introduced by si) is written in the present tense—even if it refers to a future event. The main clause then uses the future simple. So, even though both actions relate to the future, you never use the future tense in the "si" clause.

What does the expression gagnerons du temps mean, and why is it used instead of a verb like économiser?

Literally, gagner means “to win” or “gain,” but in the idiomatic phrase gagner du temps, it means "to save time." Although you might think of économiser (to save) as a possibility, gagner du temps is the more typical and natural way to express the idea of saving time in French.

How does dormons suffisamment function in the sentence, and what does it imply?

The phrase dormons suffisamment means “if we sleep sufficiently” or “if we get enough sleep.” It functions as the condition under which the main clause’s action will occur—that is, saving time. The sentence suggests that proper rest before the trip will result in better efficiency or performance later.

What role does the phrase avant le voyage play in this sentence?

Avant le voyage is an adverbial phrase that specifies the time frame in which the sleep should occur—it means “before the trip.” It clarifies that the action of sleeping sufficiently must happen prior to embarking on the journey in order to achieve the benefit of saving time.

Why is it acceptable to use the subject nous in both clauses, and is the repetition necessary?

Using nous ("we") in both the main clause and the conditional clause clarifies that the same group is performing both actions. While in less formal contexts the subject might sometimes be omitted in the second clause if it’s clear from context, explicitly including it—as in this sentence—ensures clarity, which is especially helpful for learners.