LoginConditional Sentences For Intermediate learners
What Are Conditional Sentences?
Conditional sentences (oraciones condicionales) in Spanish describe hypothetical situations and their possible or hypothetical outcomes. They consist of a condition clause (prótesis) and a main clause (apódosis) that shows the result in the event that the condition is met.
Types
Spanish has three types of conditional sentences. We will discuss the first and second types here.
First Conditional
The first conditional sentences express real conditions and their possible or likely outcomes in the present or future. In other words, the condition is likely to be met and the result will follow. In this type of conditional, the condition clause uses the present simple tense, while the result clause can use the present or future simple as well as the imperative mood:
si + present indicative, future/present/imperative
Here are some example sentences:
Si estudias, aprobarás el examen.
If you study, you will pass the exam.
future simple
Si llueve, nos quedamos en casa.
If it rains, we stay at home.
present simple
Si tienes hambre, come algo.
If you're hungry, eat something.
imperative
Second Conditional
The second conditional sentences introduce hypothetical conditions and their unlikely or improbable results in the present or future. In other words, the condition is unlikely to happen, and the result imagines what would happen if the condition was met. To form second conditional sentences, an imperfect subjunctive verb is used in the condition clause, while a simple conditional verb is used in the result clause:
si + imperfect subjunctive, conditional
Here are some example sentences:
Si tuviera dinero, viajaría por el mundo.
If I had money, I would travel the world.
Si fueras más organizado, terminarías antes.
If you were more organized, you would finish sooner.
Si supieras la verdad, cambiarías de opinión.
If you knew the truth, you would change your mind.
Clause Marking and Punctuation
"Si" and other conditional subordinating conjuncations mark the condition clause, which means the condition clause and the result clause can switch their places in the sentence without changing the meaning. However, the punctuation differs:
if the condition clause comes first, a comma must separate it from the main clause
no comma is needed if the main clause comes first
Si fueran ricos, comprarían una casa grande.
If they were rich, they would buy a big house.
Comprarían una casa grande si fueron ricos.
They would buy a big house if they were rich.
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