Learn Hardcore French: Si vous étiez plus silencieux, vous entendriez mieux Marie chanter. - If you were quieter, you would hear Marie singing better.

The sentence is constructed as a conditional statement. The clause introduced by si (meaning “if”) uses the imperfect tense (étiez) to set up a hypothetical condition, and the main clause uses the conditional mood (entendriez) to express the result that would occur if that condition were met.

Why is the imperfect tense used in the si clause with étiez?

In French, when expressing hypothetical or unreal situations, the si clause typically employs the imperfect tense. This signals that the condition (being quieter) is not currently true or is contrary to fact.

How is the conditional form entendriez constructed, and what does it indicate?

Entendriez is formed by taking the base verb entendre (to hear) and adding the conditional ending for the subject vous. This form indicates that the action (hearing better) depends on the fulfillment of the hypothetical condition. It tells us that if the condition (being quieter) were met, the result (hearing Marie sing better) would follow.

Why is the verb chanter used in its infinitive form after entendriez?

In French, verbs of perception such as entendre are often followed by another verb in the infinitive form to describe the action that is perceived. Thus, Marie chanter translates to “hear Marie sing” rather than using a fully conjugated verb, which is a standard construction in French.

What does plus silencieux mean in this context and why is it important?

Plus silencieux means “quieter” or “more silent.” It is the condition that needs to be met. The sentence implies that if you were quieter, you would be able to hear Marie sing better, making the adjective crucial for understanding the cause-effect relationship.