Real and Hypothetical Conditional Sentences

Kurz erklärt

Spanish conditional sentences often use si (if) to connect a condition with its result. The tense after si shows whether the condition is presented as real or possible, hypothetical, or impossible because it belongs to the past. Unlike English, Spanish does not normally use a future or conditional form directly after si in these patterns.

Bildung

Real or open: si + present indicative, then present, future, or imperative. Hypothetical present or future: si + imperfect subjunctive, then simple conditional. Unreal past: si + pluperfect subjunctive, then conditional perfect.

Verwendung

• Use the present indicative after si for a realistic or open condition.
• Use the imperfect subjunctive for an unlikely or imagined present or future condition.
• Use the pluperfect subjunctive for a past condition that did not happen.
• The si clause may come before or after the result clause; use a comma when it comes first.

Beispiele

• Si tengo tiempo, te llamo esta tarde. — If I have time, I’ll call you this afternoon.
• Si necesitas ayuda, avísame. — If you need help, let me know.
• Si viviera cerca, iría más seguido. — If I lived nearby, I would go more often.
• Si hubiéramos salido antes, no habríamos perdido el vuelo. — If we had left earlier, we wouldn’t have missed the flight.

Typischer Fehler

❌ Si tendría más tiempo, aprendería otro idioma.

✅ Si tuviera más tiempo, aprendería otro idioma.

For a hypothetical condition, use the imperfect subjunctive after si, not the conditional. The conditional belongs in the result clause.

Merke

After si, use the indicative for an open condition and the subjunctive for a hypothetical one. Do not put the conditional directly after si in these patterns.