Español en serio
Spanish If Clauses Explained: Real Conditionals (Si puedo, voy / iré)
Dieser Beitrag erklärt ein wichtiges Thema der spanischen Grammatik (Text auf Englisch).
Real Conditionals
In Spanish, there are three basic types of conditional sentences:
Real conditionals express something that the speaker considers to happen, has happened, or will happen.
Hypothetical conditionals, on the other hand, express a possibility or hypothesis, but the speaker is less certain.
Finally, unreal conditionals refer to something that happened in the past and can no longer be changed.
In this blog we will focus on real conditional sentences, which have the following characteristics:
• They use the main conditional conjunction in Spanish: “si” (if).
• Unlike English, in Spanish we often use the present tense in both verbs, because when we say “si puedo, voy”, it is understood that the action may occur in the future. Therefore, it is not always necessary to use the future tense.
• They are formed with both verbs in the Indicative mood (not the Subjunctive), because the speaker considers the situation real.
• It is perfectly acceptable to change the order of the two clauses:
“Si puedo, voy.” “Voy si puedo.”
Both sentences are correct. However, in the first option, a comma is required, while it should not be used in the second one.
If you are learning Spanish and find explanations like this helpful, I offer personalised online Spanish lessons for students and adults worldwide, including GCSE and A-Level preparation.
Lessons are available in English or German, and I offer a free initial consultation. You can contact me at laura@spanishforlondon.com.
Example from the episode
Remember that you can read the novel that complements this blog, which I am writing alongside these grammar posts, where you can see examples in context of what we are explaining.
→ “Si construyo un imperio, al mismo tiempo destruyo muchas culturas.”
→ “Si seguimos por ese camino, no terminaremos nunca de discutir.”
Read the full episode here →
Episode 19
Book your first free demo lesson, with no obligation on your behalf, at laura.@spanishforlondon.com.
Bachelor’s degree in Literature (University of Buenos Aires). Spanish and Literature teacher. Researcher and author of Los premios Nobel de literatura. Una lectura crítica (University of Seville). More than 30 years’ experience teaching Spanish to international students.
One-to-one lessons via Zoom.
Abschluss in Literaturwissenschaft (Universität Buenos Aires). Lehrerin für Spanisch und Literatur. Forscherin und Autorin des Buches Los premios Nobel de literatura. Eine lectura crítica (Universität Sevilla). Über 30 Jahre Erfahrung im Unterricht von Spanisch als Fremdsprache.
Einzelunterricht über Zoom.
