The Spanish conditional tense is incredibly versatile and finds its way into various contexts. It’s not just about expressing hypothetical situations but also used for politeness, making requests, giving advice, expressing uncertainty, and describing future actions with conditions. In this article, we will cover all the uses of Spanish Conditional tense so that you can practice them and use them with confidence.
Uses of Spanish Conditional
There are many uses of Spanish conditional tense. This tense allows for polite requests, expressing desires, and offering advice, among others. In this article, we explore the many uses of the Spanish conditional and its importance in everyday conversations.
Depending on a condition
Generally speaking, it can be used to talk about an action that depends on something else; that is to say, a condition.
Me compraría una casa con jardín, pero no tengo tanto dinero.
I’d buy a house with a garden, but I don’t have so much money.
Iría a visitarte cada semana, pero con mi trabajo no tengo tiempo.
I would visit you every week, but with my job, I have no time.
Estudiaría dos idiomas más como mínimo, pero los cursos son muy caros.
I would study at least two more languages, but the courses are very expensive.
Reporting future in the past
But it can also be used to talk about a statement or a guess made in the past.
Santiago supuso que vosotros estaríais malos y no os llamó.
Santiago assumed that you were sick and he didn’t call you.
Pensé que la comida te quedaría más rica con más especias.
I thought that, with more spices, the food would be tastier.
Marta imaginó que ustedes estarían viajando porque todo estaba cerrado.
Marta figured that you were traveling because everything was closed.
Being polite
It can also be a very polite way to ask for something.
¿Me daría dos días libres para ir a visitar a mi madre?
Could you give me two days off to go visit my mom?
¿Me acompañarías al mercado a comprar comida para la cena?
Would you accompany me to the market to buy some groceries for dinner?
¿Estaría bien si entrego mi proyecto el lunes en lugar del viernes?
Would it be okay if I deliver my project on Monday instead of Friday?
Making a guess about the past
Condicional can also be used to make a guess about something in the past.
El conductor se dormiría al volante durante el viaje de vuelta.
The driver probably fell asleep at the wheel on the way back.
Alonso no escuchó la llamada. Posiblemente estaría en el jardín.
Alonso didn’t hear the call. He was possibly was in the garden.
Probablemente yo tendría unos ocho años cuando mis padres se mudaron a Brasil.
I was probably about eight years old when my parents moved to Brazil.
Suggesting with poder
It is also used with the verb
Podríamos hacer una cadena humana entre todos los vecinos.
We could make a human chain among all neighbors.
Este año podríamos ir de vacaciones a Brasil a visitar a tus abuelos.
This year we could go on vacation to Brazil to visit your grandparents.
Podríamos buscar el consejo de un abogado para solucionar esta situación.
We could seek the advice of an attorney to address this situation.
Asking for advice
Finally, this tense can be used when asking for advice, as well.
¿Qué haríais vosotras en mi lugar?
What would you do in my place?
¿Qué les cocinarías a tus invitados esta noche?
What would you cook for your guests tonight?
¿Cambiarías de trabajo con una jefa como la mía?
Would you change jobs with a boss like mine?
Exercises
Now let’s practice with the following exercises the uses of Spanish Conditional tense.