Need help figuring out how and when to use the Si + Condicional structure en español? No hay problema!
We have an easy and practical guide to help you master this structure once and for all. Let’s take a look:
1. Si + presente indicativo + futuro:
This combination express the possibility of an action in the future. In other words, we’re waiting to see what happens before doing anything.
- Si escuchas ruido, tendrás que soportarlo porque hay un partido de fútbol. If it’s loud, you’ll have to put up with it because there’s a soccer match.
- Si llueve, no podremos ir al concierto. If it rains, we can’t go to the concert.
2. Si + imperfecto subjuntivo. + condicional simple
This structure allows to discuss an action in the present or the future that we know it’s not possible.
- Si estuviera en Australia, nos iríamos a tomar un café juntas. If I were in Australia (right now), we would go out for coffee together.
- Si el abuelo fuera más joven, se quedaría en la fiesta hasta el final. A él le gustan las fiestas. If grandpa was younger, he would stay at the party until the end. He loves parties.
3. Si + pretérito pluscuamperfecto del Subjuntivo + condicional perfecto.
We use this combination to express regret over something that happened or not in the past.
- El mes pasado, si hubiera estado en Australia, nos habríamos tomado un café juntas. (No lo hice y ahora estoy imaginando esa opción que no ocurrió). If I had been in Australia last month, we would have had coffee together. (I wasn’t there, and now I’m imagining what could have been).
- Si el abuelo se hubiera quedado hasta el final de la fiesta, el domingo habría estado muy cansado. If grandpa had stayed until the end of the party, he would have been very tired on Sunday.
4. Si + pretérito pluscuamperfecto del Subjuntivo + condicional simple:
We use this structure to discuss the relationship between a past event and a possibility in the present.
- Si yo no me hubiera casado, no tendría dos hijos. If I hadn’t gotten married, I wouldn’t have two kids.
- Si el abuelo se hubiera quedado hasta el final de la fiesta, ahora estaría muy cansado. If grandpa had stayed until the end of the party, he would be very tired right now.