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.
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1Conditional Tense Formation
The conditional is formed like the future: add endings to the infinitive. The endings are: -Ăa, -Ăas, -Ăa, -Ăamos, -Ăais, -Ăan. 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 | hablarĂa | comerĂa | vivirĂa |
| tĂş | hablarĂas | comerĂas | vivirĂas |
| Ă©l/ella/Ud. | hablarĂa | comerĂa | vivirĂa |
| nosotros | hablarĂamos | comerĂamos | vivirĂamos |
| vosotros | hablarĂais | comerĂais | vivirĂais |
| ellos/Uds. | hablarĂan | comerĂan | vivirĂan |
Examples
Me gustarĂa un cafĂ©, por favor.
I would like a coffee, please.
gustar + Ăa for polite requests
ComerĂamos en ese restaurante.
We would eat at that restaurant.
hypothetical situation
Ella dijo que vendrĂa.
She said she would come.
future in the past
PodrĂas 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- | tendrĂa | I would have |
| poder | podr- | podrĂa | I could |
| saber | sabr- | sabrĂa | I would know |
| hacer | har- | harĂa | I would do/make |
| decir | dir- | dirĂa | I would say |
| venir | vendr- | vendrĂa | I would come |
| querer | querr- | querrĂa | I would want |
| salir | saldr- | saldrĂa | I would leave |
Examples
TendrĂa más tiempo si no trabajara tanto.
I would have more time if I didn't work so much.
tendrĂa with si clause
No sabrĂa quĂ© decir.
I wouldn't know what to say.
sabrĂa = I would know
HarĂa cualquier cosa por ti.
I would do anything for you.
harĂa from hacer
SaldrĂamos a las ocho.
We would leave at eight.
saldrĂamos 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 | viajarĂa |
Examples
Si tengo tiempo, te llamo.
If I have time, I'll call you.
possible: present + present
Si tuviera más dinero, comprarĂa una casa.
If I had more money, I would buy a house.
hypothetical: impf. subj. + cond.
Si pudiera, irĂa contigo.
If I could, I would go with you.
contrary to fact situation
QuĂ© harĂas si ganaras la loterĂa?
What would you do if you won the lottery?
hypothetical question
4Uses of the Conditional
The conditional expresses: 1) Polite requests (Me gustarĂa), 2) Hypothetical situations (VivirĂa en España), 3) Future from a past perspective (Dijo que vendrĂa), 4) Probability in the past (SerĂan las tres), 5) Advice (Yo que tĂş, estudiarĂa más).
Conditional Uses
| Use | Example | English |
|---|---|---|
| Polite request | QuerrĂa una mesa para dos | I would like a table for two |
| Hypothetical | VivirĂa en la playa | I would live on the beach |
| Future in past | PrometiĂł que vendrĂa | He promised he would come |
| Past probability | TendrĂa unos 30 años | He was probably about 30 |
Examples
PodrĂa traerme la cuenta?
Could you bring me the bill?
very polite request
Yo en tu lugar, no lo harĂa.
If I were you, I wouldn't do it.
advice using conditional
PensĂ© que llegarĂas antes.
I thought you would arrive earlier.
future from past perspective
SerĂan las diez cuando llegĂł.
It was probably ten when he arrived.
probability in the past
Practice Exercises
5 exercises
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 gustarĂa firmar el contrato hoy,' dijo Anna.”
“'ÂżPodrĂas decirme quĂ© camino debo tomar desde aquĂ?' preguntĂł Alicia.”
“AñadiĂł que si el prĂncipe se casaba con otra, la sirena morirĂa.”
“Pensaba que pedir ayuda perjudicarĂa sus posibilidades de ascenso.”
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