French Grammar Explained /
If + imperfect
Si on allait au cinéma demain ?
Should we go to the cinema tomorrow?
Si j'achetais un gâteau pour le repas de ce soir ?
Should I buy a cake for tonight's dinner?
Si nous partions en vacances au soleil ?
Should we go on vacation to a sunny place?
In French, one can make suggestions or incite someone to do something with this formula:
si + imparfait
I don't understand this... why not just ask a direct question?
Um... one is about inviting someone out, or asking their opinion. The other one is about making a suggestion. Look:
Tu veux aller au cinéma demain ?
Do you want to go to the cinema tomorrow?
The question here asks about an opinion, a desire, a wish, etc.
Si on allait au cinéma demain ?
How about we go to the cinema tomorrow?
This sentence is a suggestion to go to the cinema tomorrow. The speaker wants to go to the cinema and suggests the idea.
You may often hear a et before a suggestion with si + imparfait !
Et si on allait boire un verre ?
Shall we go have a drink?
Et si vous achetiez une voiture ?
How about you buy a car?
Et si elles finissaient leurs devoirs chez moi ?
Should they finish their homework at my home?