Si hubiera dos fichas ... cualquier ficha podrá saltarlas.

Ελισάβετ Α.C1Kwiziq community member

Si hubiera dos fichas ... cualquier ficha podrá saltarlas.

Hola Shui,

I'm a bit confused with the future "podrá". I would expected "podría" or "pudiera". Can you please explain? Is there a lesson about hypothetical clauses?

Muchas gracias

Ελισάβετ

Asked 2 years ago
InmaNative Spanish expert teacher in KwiziqCorrect answer

Hola Ελισάβετ

Yes, here the narrator is mixing two different structures. Generally we use the conditional in the main clause when we have a subordinate clause with si + imperfect subjunctive, for example:

Si hubiera fichas, podrías saltarlas.

Here is the lesson for this structure:

Using the Spanish imperfect subjunctive in hypothetical clauses introduced by si followed by the Spanish conditional simple

But we also have si + present indicative, future tense, for example: 

Si hay fichas, podrás saltarlas.

Here's the lesson for this structure:

Si [if] followed by present indicative + main clause (present tense/future tense)

So he is using a more unconventional way. In a more relaxed discourse you may find this sometimes.

I hope this clarified it.

Saludos

Inma

Ελισάβετ Α. asked:

Si hubiera dos fichas ... cualquier ficha podrá saltarlas.

Hola Shui,

I'm a bit confused with the future "podrá". I would expected "podría" or "pudiera". Can you please explain? Is there a lesson about hypothetical clauses?

Muchas gracias

Ελισάβετ

Sign in to submit your answer

Don't have an account yet? Join today

Ask a question

Find your Spanish level for FREE

Test your Spanish to the CEFR standard

Find your Spanish level
Let me take a look at that...