Conditional for probability in the past

The idea

Use the simple conditional to suggest what was probably true at a past time; context identifies the past reference.

Examples

• Cuando llamó, Marta estaría en el tren.When the call came, Marta was probably on the train.
• Al cerrar la tienda, serían las nueve.It was probably nine when the shop closed.
• De niño, Pablo tendría unos siete años.As a child, Pablo was probably about seven years old.
• A esa hora, mis vecinos dormirían.At that time, my neighbours were probably asleep.
• El camino estaría mojado después de la lluvia.The path was probably wet after the rain.
• ¿Por qué no contestó Ana? Estaría ocupada.Why did Ana not answer? She was probably busy.

Watch out

Do not read every conditional as a hypothetical result: here it expresses uncertainty about the past, not certainty.

Try it yourself

1. Choose the conjecture about the past. Ayer, al llegar, Luis ___ en casa. (estaría / estará)

   Show answer or example answer

   estaría

   estaría suggests Luis was probably at home when the speaker arrived.

2. Choose the conjecture about the past. En 2010, Clara ___ unos veinte años. (tendría / tendrá)

   Show answer or example answer

   tendría

   tendría estimates Clara’s age in 2010.

3. Choose the conjecture about the past. Cuando salimos, ___ las seis. (serían / serán)

   Show answer or example answer

   serían

   serían estimates the time when the speakers left.

Use it today

Make a guess about where someone was yesterday.