Conditional sentences (continued)

Today, we will continue our study of "If clauses" remember these clauses are used to declare a condition or possibly that is dependant on another condition being met. If.. then clauses are also known as conditionals.


Example :

Si yo wè mwen, zòt ké wi. - If they see me, they will laugh.



The first conditional that we will look at today is formed from the present tense in the si clause, and one of three verb forms; present, future or imperative in the result clause.



Present + Present
This construction is used for things that happen regularly


Example :

Si mononk ou la, nou ka sòti an kay-la.

If your uncle is there, we are going leave the house.


Si mwen pa vlé étidyé, mwen ka gadé télévisyon-an

If I don't want to study, I watch the television.


Si lapli tonbé, nou pa ka jwé déwò-a.

If rain falls, we don't play outside.
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Present + Future

The present + future construction is used for events that are likely to occur. The present tense follows si; it is the situation that is required before the other action will take place.

Example :

Si mwen tiwé boul-la, i ké mò.

If I remove the bullet, he will die.



Si'w fè yon zéfò, mwen ké édé'w.

If you make an effort, I will help you.

Si li lavé sé vasèl-la, ou ké lavé sé wido-a?

If she washes the dishes, will you wash the curtains?


Note : w is a contraction of the pronoun ou which means you.

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Present + Imperative

This construction is used to give an order, assuming that the condition is met. The present tense follows si; it is the situation that is required before the other action becomes a command.

Example :

Si Janette tini tan, di li vini wè mwen.

If Janette has time, tell her come and see me.



Si'w tini lajan-an, péyé nòt-la.

If you have the money, pay the bill.




Si'w jwenn André, bay li koul ban mwen!

If you find André, beat him up for me!