Why Conditional?

Alan K.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Why Conditional?

Usually the conditional tense adds "would" to the verb. E.g. comería, would eat; habría, would have; vendría, would come, etc. But "should" is not the same as "would". It implies a duty or obligation, whereas "would" does not.

So debería etc. seems to be an exception because it means "should" not "would"!

Asked 6 years ago
InmaNative Spanish expert teacher in Kwiziq

Hi Alan

I see what you mean, but regardless of the use or meaning, in Spanish we conjugate Deber in the conditional, to express a suggestion actually, more than obligation. As it is a modal verb, it works different to other verbs. The "would" meaning wouldn't work with "deber" the same way in English you wouldn't say "You would must" or anything like that. 

Inma

Alan K.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor
Thanks for tackling this question! Alan.
Alan K. asked:

Why Conditional?

Usually the conditional tense adds "would" to the verb. E.g. comería, would eat; habría, would have; vendría, would come, etc. But "should" is not the same as "would". It implies a duty or obligation, whereas "would" does not.

So debería etc. seems to be an exception because it means "should" not "would"!

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