Using the simple conditional or the perfect conditional to express objection/disbelief to a statement said before

Learn how to object with El Condicional Simple and El Condicional Perfecto in Spanish

In Spanish, El Condicional Simple and El Condicional Perfecto can be used to express an objection to something that has been said previously. What has been said before needs to be referring to something in the past, not the present or the future.

El Condicional Simple

-Arturo tuvo un final triste. -Tendría un final triste pero vivió una vida de lujo.-Arturo had a sad end. -He may have had a sad end but he lived a luxurious life.

-Estaba tan enferma que no pude salir. -Estarías muy enferma pero ¿y la fiesta que tuviste en tu casa?-I was so ill I couldn't leave the house. -You may have been ill [if you say so] but, what about the party you had at yours?

In these sentences, there is a first statement from someone talking about a past action. Then there is a second statement from another person using El Condicional Simple to somehow discredit/cast doubt and object to what was said.

El Condicional Perfecto

You can also use El Condicional Perfecto with the same intention. Again, as a reaction to something someone just said about an action in the past, generally using El Pretérito Pluscuamperfecto. For example:

-Javier había prometido invitar a todos si aprobaba. -Lo habría prometido pero no ha habido ninguna invitación.-Javier had promised to invite everyone if he passed. -He may well have promised but there has been no invitation.

-Ella dijo que había dejado el dinero en la mesa. -Pues lo habría dejado pero nadie lo ha visto.She said she had left the money on the table. -She might have left it but nobody has seen it.

This specific use often uses "pero" to add more information that contributes to the objection.

See also Using the simple future or the perfect future to express objection/disbelief to a statement said before

 

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Examples and resources

-Arturo tuvo un final triste. -Tendría un final triste pero vivió una vida de lujo.-Arturo had a sad end. -He may have had a sad end but he lived a luxurious life.
-Javier había prometido invitar a todos si aprobaba. -Lo habría prometido pero no ha habido ninguna invitación.-Javier had promised to invite everyone if he passed. -He may well have promised but there has been no invitation.
-Ella dijo que había dejado el dinero en la mesa. -Pues lo habría dejado pero nadie lo ha visto.She said she had left the money on the table. -She might have left it but nobody has seen it.
-Estaba tan enferma que no pude salir. -Estarías muy enferma pero ¿y la fiesta que tuviste en tu casa?-I was so ill I couldn't leave the house. -You may have been ill [if you say so] but, what about the party you had at yours?
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