B1 Spanish GrammarSubjunctive & Conditional
Learn the Spanish conditional tense (condicional simple) for polite requests, hypothetical situations, and wishes. Master conditional conjugations and understand when to use it with si clauses. Explore the connection between conditional and subjunctive moods.
1Conditional Tense Formation
The conditional is formed like the future: add endings to the infinitive. The endings are: -ía, -ías, -ía, -íamos, -íais, -ían. All verbs use the same endings. Verbs with irregular future stems use those same stems in the conditional.
Conditional Tense Endings
| Person | Hablar | Comer | Vivir |
|---|---|---|---|
| yo | hablaría | comería | viviría |
| tú | hablarías | comerías | vivirías |
| él/ella/Ud. | hablaría | comería | viviría |
| nosotros | hablaríamos | comeríamos | viviríamos |
| vosotros | hablaríais | comeríais | viviríais |
| ellos/Uds. | hablarían | comerían | vivirían |
Examples
Me gustaría un café, por favor.
I would like a coffee, please.
gustar + ía for polite requests
Comeríamos en ese restaurante.
We would eat at that restaurant.
hypothetical situation
Ella dijo que vendría.
She said she would come.
future in the past
Podrías ayudarme?
Could you help me?
polite request with poder
2Irregular Conditional Stems
The same verbs irregular in the future are irregular in the conditional. They use the same modified stems: tener→tendr-, poder→podr-, saber→sabr-, hacer→har-, decir→dir-, querer→querr-, venir→vendr-, salir→saldr-.
Irregular Conditional Forms
| Infinitive | Stem | yo form | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| tener | tendr- | tendría | I would have |
| poder | podr- | podría | I could |
| saber | sabr- | sabría | I would know |
| hacer | har- | haría | I would do/make |
| decir | dir- | diría | I would say |
| venir | vendr- | vendría | I would come |
| querer | querr- | querría | I would want |
| salir | saldr- | saldría | I would leave |
Examples
Tendría más tiempo si no trabajara tanto.
I would have more time if I didn't work so much.
tendría with si clause
No sabría qué decir.
I wouldn't know what to say.
sabría = I would know
Haría cualquier cosa por ti.
I would do anything for you.
haría from hacer
Saldríamos a las ocho.
We would leave at eight.
saldríamos from salir
3Si Clauses (If Clauses)
Spanish si clauses follow specific patterns. For possible conditions, use si + present + future/present. For hypothetical/contrary-to-fact conditions, use si + imperfect subjunctive + conditional. Never use the conditional or future after si.
Si Clause Patterns
| Type | Si clause | Result clause |
|---|---|---|
| Possible | Si + present | present / future |
| Hypothetical | Si + imperfect subj. | conditional |
| Example (possible) | Si llueve | no salimos / no saldremos |
| Example (hypothetical) | Si tuviera dinero | viajaría |
Examples
Si tengo tiempo, te llamo.
If I have time, I'll call you.
possible: present + present
Si tuviera más dinero, compraría una casa.
If I had more money, I would buy a house.
hypothetical: impf. subj. + cond.
Si pudiera, iría contigo.
If I could, I would go with you.
contrary to fact situation
Qué harías si ganaras la lotería?
What would you do if you won the lottery?
hypothetical question
4Uses of the Conditional
The conditional expresses: 1) Polite requests (Me gustaría), 2) Hypothetical situations (Viviría en España), 3) Future from a past perspective (Dijo que vendría), 4) Probability in the past (Serían las tres), 5) Advice (Yo que tú, estudiaría más).
Conditional Uses
| Use | Example | English |
|---|---|---|
| Polite request | Querría una mesa para dos | I would like a table for two |
| Hypothetical | Viviría en la playa | I would live on the beach |
| Future in past | Prometió que vendría | He promised he would come |
| Past probability | Tendría unos 30 años | He was probably about 30 |
Examples
Podría traerme la cuenta?
Could you bring me the bill?
very polite request
Yo en tu lugar, no lo haría.
If I were you, I wouldn't do it.
advice using conditional
Pensé que llegarías antes.
I thought you would arrive earlier.
future from past perspective
Serían las diez cuando llegó.
It was probably ten when he arrived.
probability in the past
Practice
Get 4 of 5 right to learn this lesson
Complete: 'Me ___ un café, por favor.' (I would like a coffee, please.)
Complete: 'Si tuviera dinero, ___ un coche.' (If I had money, I would buy a car.)
Complete: 'Ella dijo que ___ mañana.' (She said she would come tomorrow.)
Which si clause is grammatically correct?
Complete: 'Yo que tú, ___ más.' (If I were you, I would study more.)
See Real Examples in Stories
Now that you've practiced, see this grammar in context
“'Me gustaría firmar el contrato hoy,' dijo Anna.”
“'¿Podrías decirme qué camino debo tomar desde aquí?' preguntó Alicia.”
“Añadió que si el príncipe se casaba con otra, la sirena moriría.”
“Pensaba que pedir ayuda perjudicaría sus posibilidades de ascenso.”