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El Condicional Simple

Spanish Conditional

Written by qualified Spanish expert Inma Sánchez BA
Last updated: 2024-10-18

El Condicional Simple also known as El Condicional Imperfecto and El Pospretérito

El Condicional Simple expresses hypothetical actions that would or might happen in the future. It is also used to express wishes, to give advice and suggestions or to invite and ask in a polite way.

The English conditional is the modal verb ''would'' + main verb, while in Spanish El Condicional is a full set of verb conjugations.

Look at these examples:

Yo jugaría al futbol sí mañana no lloviese.I would play football if it weren't raining tomorrow.

¿Le gustaría tomar un sandwich?Would you like a sandwich?

¿Qué zapatos comprarías tú? - Yo me compraría los azules.-What shoes would you buy? - I would buy the blue ones.

 

See also: Spanish Present Tenses and All Spanish Tenses

Lessons with more detail on El Condicional Simple

Conjugate querer in the conditional tense in Spanish (El Condicional Simple)
Conjugate hacer in the conditional tense in Spanish (El Condicional Simple)
Using the Spanish conditional simple to express probability/speculation about the past
Using the Spanish imperfect subjunctive in hypothetical clauses introduced by si followed by the Spanish conditional simple
Conjugate haber in the conditional tense in Spanish (El Condicional Simple)
Conjugate regular verbs in the conditional in Spanish (El Condicional Simple)
Conjugate tener in the conditional tense in Spanish (El Condicional Simple)
Conjugate valer in the conditional tense in Spanish (El Condicional Simple)
Conjugate poder in the conditional tense in Spanish (El Condicional Simple)
Conjugate decir in the conditional tense in Spanish (El Condicional Simple)
Conjugate salir in the conditional tense in Spanish (El Condicional Simple)
Conjugate venir in the conditional tense in Spanish (El Condicional Simple)
Conjugate poner in the conditional tense in Spanish (El Condicional Simple)
Using deber to say should in Spanish
Conjugate tener que (would have to) in the conditional tense in Spanish (El Condicional Simple)
Conjugate irregular -er verbs caber and saber in the conditional tense in Spanish (El Condicional Simple)
Conjugate deber in the conditional tense in Spanish (El Condicional Simple)
Using poder to say could [do something] for polite requests and suggestions in Spanish (El Condicional Simple)
Using the imperfect subjunctive in Spanish with impersonal expressions in the conditional (Sería+adjective+que)
Using gustar in the conditional in Spanish = would like [to do something]
Conjugate ser in the conditional tense in Spanish (El Condicional Simple)
Conjugate estar in the conditional tense in Spanish (El Condicional Simple)
Using the simple conditional/the simple future to narrate past actions in Spanish
Using the conditional in Spanish to express hypothesis/wish/suggestion in the present or future
Using the Spanish subjunctive with verbs that express "wish" and "feeling" (conditional in the main clause)
Using the Spanish conditional simple to talk about a future in the past
Using the simple conditional or the perfect conditional to express objection/disbelief to a statement said before
The conditional simple + que + the imperfect subjunctive in Spanish (wish, advice, feelings)
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