One letter, a different tone
In the present, devoir, pouvoir, vouloir and falloir state what applies. In the conditional, they say what you consider right, possible or desirable. The other person keeps some room to manoeuvre. At C1, the point is to choose the level deliberately.
Four pairs
| Direct | Softened | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| tu dois | tu devrais | obligation → advice |
| il faut | il faudrait | instruction → suggestion |
| on peut | on pourrait | possibility → offer |
| je veux | j'aimerais | demand → wish |
Advice and criticism
At work, criticism of someone's work or plans usually comes in the conditional. The present isn't rude, but it turns a suggestion into an instruction.
Instruction or suggestion
Present
Il faut revoir l'introduction.
The introduction needs reworking.
On peut faire autrement.
We can do it differently.
Conditional
Il faudrait peut-être revoir l'introduction.
It might be worth reworking the introduction.
On pourrait envisager une autre solution.
We could consider another solution.
Grading your guesses
devoir and pouvoir also express guesses. il doit + infinitive is a firm conclusion from the circumstances. il devrait describes what you'd normally expect. ça peut names a real possibility, ça pourrait a more remote one.
Il ne répond pas, il doit être en réunion.
He's not answering, he must be in a meeting.
Conclusion from the circumstances.
Le colis devrait arriver jeudi.
The parcel should arrive on Thursday.
Expectation, not a guarantee.
Les travaux peuvent prendre du retard.
The building work can fall behind schedule.
Ça pourrait prendre un peu plus de temps que prévu.
It could take a bit longer than planned.
Opinions at a distance
Judgements can go into the conditional too. Je dirais que and ce serait turn a claim into an assessment without watering down what you say.
Je dirais que le problème vient du calendrier.
I'd say the problem lies with the schedule.
Ce serait une erreur de signer maintenant.
It would be a mistake to sign now.
Je souhaiterais qu'on en reparle la semaine prochaine.
I'd like us to discuss this again next week.
Formal, for emails and meetings.
