B2Spanish · Grammar

Conditional sentences II

A lesson from the B2 course: the rule, examples and a 20-sentence test. The course is reviewed by people.

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Lesson

Conditional Type II (Unreal) in Spanish

Hello! 👋 Today we're diving into the fascinating world of Spanish Conditional Type II sentences, which talk about hypothetical or unreal situations in the present or future. It's like saying, "If I had money, I would buy..."

This mood is incredibly useful for expressing what would happen if a condition were met that is unlikely or impossible to fulfil at a given moment. The key structure you need to remember is the combination of two tenses: the Imperfecto de Subjuntivo in the 'si' (if) clause, and the Condicional Simple in the main clause.

Si + Imperfecto de Subjuntivo + ..., ... + Condicional Simple + ...

Let's start with the Imperfecto de Subjuntivo (Imperfect Subjunctive). We form it by taking the third person plural (ellos/ellas/ustedes) of the Pretérito Indefinido (Simple Past or Preterite), dropping the `-ron` ending, and then adding the new endings. Remember, there are two equivalent sets of endings: -ra, -ras, -ra, -ramos, -rais, -ran and -se, -ses, -se, -semos, -seis, -sen. In Spain, the `-ra` form is more commonly used.

PronounHablar (-ra)Tener (-ra)Ser/Ir (-ra)
yohablaratuvierafuera
túhablarastuvierasfueras
él/ella/ustedhablaratuvierafuera
nosotros/ashabláramostuviéramosfuéramos
vosotros/ashablaraistuvieraisfuerais
ellos/ellas/ustedeshablarantuvieranfueran

Next up is the Condicional Simple (Simple Conditional). Luckily, this one is easier! We add the same endings to the infinitive of the verb for all verb types (-ar, -er, -ir). Do remember that irregular infinitives will have a changed stem (just like in the Futuro Simple).

PronounComerHacerPoder
yocomeríaharíapodría
túcomeríasharíaspodrías
él/ella/ustedcomeríaharíapodría
nosotros/ascomeríamosharíamospodríamos
vosotros/ascomeríaisharíaispodríais
ellos/ellas/ustedescomeríanharíanpodrían
🚀 Top tip: Si + Imperfecto Subjuntivo, Condicional Simple! They're like two peas in a pod, always going together in this type of conditional sentence. Think: "If I were to (Subjunctive), I would (Conditional)".
🚨 Common mistake! Never use the conditional mood (Condicional Simple) directly after "si" in Conditional Type II sentences. Instead of *Si tendría dinero... you should say Si tuviera dinero...!
  • Expressing unreal or hypothetical conditions in the present or future. `Si ganara la lotería, dejaría mi trabajo.` (If I won the lottery, I would quit my job.)
  • Giving polite advice (often with "yo que tú" or "si fuera tú"). `Yo que tú, si fuera tú, estudiaría más.` (If I were you, I would study more.)
  • Making polite requests or suggestions. `¿Podrías ayudarme si tuvieras un momento?` (Could you help me if you had a moment?)

Si tuviera dinero, compraría una casa grande.

If I had money, I would buy a big house.

Si estudiaras más, aprobarías el examen sin problema.

If you studied more, you would pass the exam without a problem.

Me gustaría que vinieras si pudieras.

I would like you to come if you could.

Remember that Conditional Type II sentences are used to express dreams, wishes, advice, or hypothetical situations that are not certain or easy to fulfil. Practise regularly, and you'll quickly master this important element of Spanish grammar! ¡Mucha suerte! 🍀

Test yourself

20 questions. Answer them all, then check — you'll see what you got right and what to fix.

  1. 1

    Fill in both gaps

    Si 1 un televisor, 2 las noticias.

    If we had a television, we would watch the news.

    1
    2
  2. 2

    Fill in both gaps

    Si 1 el mapa, ¿qué 2?

    If you lost the map, what would you do?

    1
    2
  3. 3

    Fill in both gaps

    Si nosotros 1, 2 por todo el mundo.

    If we could, we would travel around the world.

    1
    2
  4. 4

    Fill in both gaps

    Si 1 otra opción, ¿qué 2?

    If you chose a different option, what would you do?

    1
    2
  5. 5

    Fill in both gaps

    Si 1 tiempo, me 2 más a menudo.

    If you had time, you would visit me more often.

    1
    2
  6. 6

    Fill in both gaps

    Si 1 un televisor, 2 las noticias.

    If we had a television, we would watch the news.

    1
    2
  7. 7

    Fill in both gaps

    Si él se 1 mejor, 2 a correr.

    If he felt better, he would go out for a run.

    1
    2
  8. 8

    Complete the sentence

    Si tú me el libro, te lo devolvería mañana.

    If you brought me the book, I would give it back to you tomorrow.

  9. 9

    Type the missing words in the right form

    Si él ejercicio, (estar) en mejor forma.

    If he exercised, he would be in better shape.

  10. 10

    Type the missing words in the right form

    Si la película, (entender) el final.

    If you saw the film, you would understand the ending.

  11. 11

    Type the missing words in the right form

    Si me tu opinión, te lo (agradecer) mucho.

    If you gave me your opinion, I would thank you very much.

  12. 12

    Type the missing words in the right form

    Si me una carta, me (emocionar).

    If you wrote me a letter, I would be moved.

  13. 13

    Type the missing words in the right form

    Si tiempo, (ir) al cine contigo.

    If I had time, I would go with you to the cinema.

  14. 14

    Type the missing words in the right form

    Si más tiempo, te (explicar) todo.

    If there were more time, I would explain everything to you.

  15. 15

    Put the sentence together — some words are extra

    If I put myself in your shoes, I would understand you.

  16. 16

    Put the sentence together — some words are extra

    If we lived on the beach, we would be happy.

  17. 17

    Put the sentence together — some words are extra

    If we had a ball, we would play football.

  18. 18

    Put the sentence together — some words are extra

    If you had time, you would read this book.

  19. 19

    Build the missing word from the letters

    Si tradujeras este texto, mucho.

    If you translated this text, you would learn a lot.

  20. 20

    Match each word to its meaning

Printable test

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