Lesson 33 - Using "IF...". Sentences with IF clauses

In today's lesson we will learn about IF clauses  If-then clauses, also known as conditionals, or conditional sentences,* are sentences with one clause stating a condition or possibility, and a second clause naming a result which is dependent upon that condition.


The English conjunction IF is expressed in Kwéyòl by the word Si pronounced (SEE)


SI -----> IF



There are different types of si clauses, but they all have two things in common:


1) The English result clause might be preceded by "then," but there is no equivalent word preceding the Creole result clause.


Example :


1) Si ou tjwit sa, mwen ké vann-li.
    If you cook that, (then) I will sell it.


2) Si nou té la, nou té ké wè yo.
    If we were there, (then) we would have seen them.


3) Si ou pa alé jòdi-a, ou pa sa alé démen.
    If you don't go today, (then) you can't go tomorrow.


4) Si mwen ka kwè an Jézi, mwen ké wè fidji Bondyé-a.
   If I believe in Jesus, (then) I will see the face of God.


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2) The clauses can be in either order, si clause followed by result clause, or result clause followed by si clause, as long as the verb is used correctly and (si) is placed BEFORE the condition.


Example :


5) Mwen ké alé si ou vlé.
    I will go if you want me to.


6) Li pé palé Alman si sé sa yo pito.
    He can speak German, if that is what they prefer.


7) Ès zanmi ou ké péyé si James ka kondwi motoka-a?
    Will you friend pay if James drives the car?


8) Li ké pwotojé tifi'y si ou soté anlè'y.
    He will protect his daughter if you attack her.


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Even If - Menm Si


1) Menm si ou pati, mwen enmen'w.
    Even if you leave, I love you.


2) Menm si nou di'w sa, ou pa ké kwè nou.
   Even if we tell you that, you won't believe us.


3) Menm si ou tonbé, fò ou lévé.
    Even if you fall, you must get up.


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As if, as though - Konmsi

1) Poutji ou ka fè konmsi ou pa konnèt nou?
   Why are you acting as if you don't know us?

2) Nonm-lan fè konmsi y pòv, mé y ni lajan.
   The man acted as if he's poor but he has money.

3) Mé, li ka palé konmsi y té la.
    But, he is speaking as though he was there.