“Si” Constructions in French

Just as in English, complex sentences in French often require a combination of different verb tenses. To master the French language, students must learn the particular patterns expected in various sentence combinations. In this activity, students will create a storyboard that practices constructing complex sentences beginning with “si”.

The template included already indicates the tenses students should use. You can increase the difficulty of the assignment by removing the tense labels in the right-hand column, forcing students to determine the second tense on their own. This assignment can also be completed substituting “quand” or “lorsque” for “si”.

Student Instructions

Create a storyboard illustrating the construction of sentences beginning with "si". Remember, when “si” means “if” in French, it automatically creates a complex sentence consisting of both a dependent clause and an independent clause. When the tense of the dependent “si” clause changes, so does the tense of the independent clause.

1. Click "Start Assignment".
2. In the left column, write a clause beginning with “si” in the tense indicated.
3. In the right column, complete the sentence with a clause in the appropriate tense.
4. Create an image for each sentence using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.