Serait-ce (en. Would it be)

/səʁɛt sɔ/

Meaning & Definition

EnglishFrench

noun

Used to pose a hypothetical or uncertain question.

Would it be possible to do it tomorrow?

Serait-ce possible de le faire demain ?

Serves to introduce a supposition.

Would it be that you have already left?

Serait-ce que tu es déjà parti ?

Used to probe an opinion or permission.

Would it be acceptable to ask another question?

Serait-ce acceptable de poser une autre question ?

Formed from the verb 'to be' in the conditional and the interrogative particle 'it'.

Would it be a problem?

A question asking if something is problematic.

Serait-ce un problème ?

Would it be an error?

Asks if something might be incorrect.

Serait-ce une erreur ?

Would it be a coincidence?

Poses a question about the incidental nature of two events.

Serait-ce une coïncidence ?

would be

Third person singular of the conditional of the verb to be.

serait

A demonstrative pronoun often used in interrogative expressions.

Imply ambiguity or uncertainty about a situation.

When someone says 'would it be possible?', it is often to express doubt.

Quand quelqu'un dit 'serait-ce possible ?', c'est souvent pour exprimer un doute.