A promise can depend on a condition: con tal de que introduces it.

The idea

Follow con tal de que with the subjunctive; the main clause gives the outcome.

Examples

  • Te presto la bicicleta con tal de que la devuelvas mañana.I’ll lend you the bike provided you return it tomorrow.
  • El equipo saldrá al parque con tal de que no llueva.The team will go to the park provided it doesn’t rain.
  • Aceptamos el local con tal de que tenga una entrada accesible.We’ll accept the venue provided it has an accessible entrance.
  • Marta cocina la cena con tal de que alguien lave los platos.Marta will cook dinner provided someone washes the dishes.
  • Podéis entrar con tal de que guardéis silencio.You may enter provided you keep quiet.
  • El museo abrirá la sala con tal de que termine la reparación.The museum will open the room provided the repair is finished.

Read-aloud uses a synthetic Spanish voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.

Watch out

Do not use the indicative after con tal de que, even when the outcome seems likely.

Try it yourself

  1. Choose the correct form. Iremos en tren con tal de que ___ plazas. (haya / hay)

    Show answer or example answer

    haya

    haya expresses the availability of seats as a condition.

  2. Choose the correct form. Lucía comparte el archivo con tal de que tú lo ___. (cuides / cuidas)

    Show answer or example answer

    cuides

    cuides addresses the person who must look after the file.

  3. Choose the correct form. El vecino ayudará con tal de que nosotros se lo ___ antes. (pidamos / pedimos)

    Show answer or example answer

    pidamos

    pidamos refers to our requesting help beforehand.

Use it today

Make an offer with a condition using con tal de que.