Spanish If Clauses (Si)

Real, hypothetical and impossible conditions. Three types with tense combinations.

Three types of "if" sentences

TypeSi clauseResult clauseMeaning
Real / possiblesi + presentpresent / futureIf X happens, Y will happen
Hypotheticalsi + imperfect subjunctiveconditionalIf X happened, Y would happen
Impossible pastsi + pluperfect subjunctiveconditional perfectIf X had happened, Y would have happened

Type 1: Real / possible

Si + present → present / future / command

Si llueve, no vamos. (If it rains, we don't go.)
Si estudias, aprobarás. (If you study, you'll pass.)
Si tienes hambre, come algo. (If you're hungry, eat something.)

Type 2: Hypothetical (unreal present)

Si + imperfect subjunctive (-ra/-se) → conditional

Si tuviera dinero, viajaría. (If I had money, I would travel.)
Si hablara español, conseguiría el trabajo. (If I spoke Spanish, I'd get the job.)
Si fuera tú, estudiaría más. (If I were you, I'd study more.)

Imperfect subjunctive forms

hablar → hablara / hablase
tener → tuviera / tuviese
ser → fuera / fuese
Both -ra and -se forms are correct. -ra is more common in speech.

Type 3: Impossible past (regrets)

Si + hubiera/hubiese + participle → habría + participle

Si hubiera estudiado, habría aprobado. (If I had studied, I would have passed.)
Si hubieras venido, te habrías divertido. (If you had come, you would have had fun.)

NEVER use present or future tense after "si"

Si tendré tiempo... ✗ → Si tengo tiempo...
Si tendría dinero... ✗ → Si tuviera dinero...
The conditional NEVER goes in the si clause.

Quick quiz

1. Si _____ (llover), no vamos. (real possibility)

2. Si _____ (tener) dinero, viajaría. (hypothetical)

3. Si estudias, _____ (aprobar — future).

4. Si _____ (ser) tú, estudiaría más.

5. Si hubiera estudiado, _____ (aprobar).

6. Si _____ español, conseguiría el trabajo.

7. Si tienes hambre, _____ algo.

8. Si _____ venido, te habrías divertido.

9. Si _____ tiempo, te ayudo. (real)

10. "Si tendría dinero..." is _____.

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