Spanish If-Clauses
Conditional sentences with si follow three patterns. The key rule is simple: never use the present subjunctive after si, and never use the conditional right after si. Learn the three patterns, and you can handle any “if” sentence.
Quick answer
- Real or likely: Si llueve, me quedo en casa.
- Hypothetical: Si tuviera dinero, viajaría.
- Impossible past: Si hubiera estudiado, habría aprobado.
Type 1: real or likely conditions
Use si plus the present indicative, and then the present, the future, or a command in the result clause.
Examples
- Si llueve, me quedo en casa.If it rains, I stay at home.Present + present.
- Si estudias, aprobarás.If you study, you will pass.Present + future.
- Si tienes hambre, come algo.If you are hungry, eat something.Present + command.
Type 2: hypothetical or unlikely
Use si plus the imperfect subjunctive, and then the conditional. This is for imagined or unlikely situations.
| If-clause | Result |
|---|---|
| Si tuviera dinero | viajaría mucho |
| Si fuera tú | hablaría con él |
| Si pudiera | te ayudaría |
Examples
- Si tuviera más tiempo, aprendería francés.If I had more time, I would learn French.Hypothetical.
- Si fuera tú, no iría.If I were you, I would not go.Advice.
- Si ganaras la lotería, ¿qué harías?If you won the lottery, what would you do?Imagined.
Type 3: impossible past conditions
Use si plus the pluperfect subjunctive (hubiera or hubiese plus participle), and then the conditional perfect (habría plus participle). This is about the past, and cannot be changed.
Examples
- Si hubiera estudiado, habría aprobado.If I had studied, I would have passed.Past regret.
- Si lo hubiera sabido, te habría llamado.If I had known, I would have called you.Past hypothetical.
- Si no hubiera llovido, habríamos ido.If it had not rained, we would have gone.Past.
Special cases: como si and de + infinitive
After como si (as if), always use the imperfect or pluperfect subjunctive: Habla como si fuera un experto. You can also use de + infinitive as a short form: De haberlo sabido, te habría llamado.
Examples
- Habla como si fuera el jefe.He talks as if he were the boss.Como si.
- De haberlo sabido, habría venido.Had I known, I would have come.De + infinitive.
Spanish around the world
- The -ra and -se forms of the imperfect subjunctive are both correct (tuviera, tuviese). The -ra forms are more common in Mexico and in most of the Spanish-speaking world.
Common mistakes
Incorrect: Si tendría dinero, viajaría.
Correct: Si tuviera dinero, viajaría.
Never use the conditional right after si.
Incorrect: Si tenga tiempo, voy.
Correct: Si tengo tiempo, voy.
Never use the present subjunctive after si.
Incorrect: Si había sabido, habría venido.
Correct: Si hubiera sabido, habría venido.
Type 3 needs the pluperfect subjunctive.
Incorrect: Si estudiara, aprobaría ayer.
Correct: Si hubiera estudiado, habría aprobado.
For a past hypothetical, use type 3.
Remember the three types
- Type 1: si + present, present/future/command.
- Type 2: si + imperfect subjunctive, conditional.
- Type 3: si + pluperfect subjunctive, conditional perfect.
Mini practice
5 quick questions. You get feedback right after each answer.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use the present subjunctive after si?
No, never. Use the indicative for real conditions.
What is the difference between fuera and fuese?
Both are correct. Fuera is more common.
Can I swap the order of the clauses?
Yes. Viajaría mucho si tuviera dinero. is correct.
When do I use ‘habría’ and when ‘hubiera’?
Use hubiera after si and habría in the result.
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