Conditional Tense
Mastering the Conditional Tense in Spanish
Tabla de Contenidos
Learning Objectives
The conditional tense in Spanish, known as el condicional, is used to talk about hypothetical scenarios, polite requests, wishes, or uncertain situations. In English, it usually translates to “would” + verb (e.g., “I would go,” “She would eat”).
Let’s break down how to form and use it, step-by-step.
Usage
When Do We Use the Conditional?
The conditional tense is typically used for:
1. Hypothetical or Conditional Situations
| Spanish | English | Information | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Si tuviera tiempo, viajaría. | If I had the time, I would travel. |
2. Polite Requests
| Spanish | English | Information | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ¿Podrías ayudarme? | Can you help me? |
3. Expressing Wishes or Desires
| Spanish | English | Information | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Me gustaría aprender español. | I would like to learn Spanish. |
4. Expressing Speculation or Probability in the Past
| Spanish | English | Information | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Serían las nueve cuando llegaste. | It would be nine o'clock when you arrived. |
Formation
How to Form the Conditional Tense
The good news is: the conditional tense is easy to form! You simply add conditional endings directly to the infinitive (for regular verbs).
Regular Verb Endings:
| Pronoun | -AR (hablar) | -ER (comer) | -IR (vivir) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yo | hablaría | comería | viviría |
| Tú | hablarías | comerías | vivirías |
| Él/Ella | hablaría | comería | viviría |
| Nosotros | hablaríamos | comeríamos | viviríamos |
| Vosotros | hablaríais | comeríais | viviríais |
| Ellos/as | hablarían | comerían | vivirían |
| Spanish | English | Information | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yo hablaría con ella mañana. | I would talk to her tomorrow. | ||
| ¿Comerías sushi? | Do you eat sushi? |
Common Irregular Verbs
Some verbs are irregular in the conditional tense. They have irregular stems, but the endings remain consistent:
| Infinitive | Conditional Stem |
|---|---|
| Decir | dir- |
| Hacer | har- |
| Poder | podr- |
| Poner | pondr- |
| Querer | querr- |
| Saber | sabr- |
| Salir | saldr- |
| Tener | tendr- |
| Venir | vendr- |
| Spanish | English | Information | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yo haría | I would | ||
| Ellos podrían | They could |
Exercises
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks
Fill in each sentence with the correct form of the conditional tense:
Exercise 2: True or False?
Decide if the conditional tense is correctly used (Yes) or incorrect (No):
1. Me gustaría visitar España algún día.
2. Si tengo tiempo, iría al cine.
3. Ella dijo que vendría hoy.
4. Mañana compraría frutas en el mercado.
Exercise 3: Multiple Choice
Choose the correct conditional form:
1. Yo ___ más libros, pero no tengo espacio.
2. Nosotros ___ ir a la playa si hiciera buen tiempo.
3. ¿Qué ___ tú en esta situación?
4. Ellos ___ venir a la fiesta, pero tienen trabajo.
Tips
• Remember the conditional tense typically translates as “would” in English.
• Often, sentences using conditional tense start with “si” (if), triggering hypothetical situations.
• Learn irregular verbs separately, as they have unique stems.
Conclusion
The conditional tense is essential in conversational and written Spanish for discussing hypothetical scenarios, polite requests, and expressing desires or uncertainty. Practice frequently, and soon you’ll naturally integrate this versatile tense into your Spanish!
¡Ánimo y sigue practicando!