Hypothetical si clauses: imperfect subjunctive and conditional

The idea

Use si with an imperfect subjunctive form, such as tuviera, and a conditional result, such as aprendería.

Examples

• Si tuviera más tiempo, aprendería a cocinar.If I had more time, I would learn to cook.
• Si pudiera, iría contigo.If I could, I would go with you.
• Si viviéramos cerca, caminaríamos al trabajo.If we lived nearby, we would walk to work.
• Si la biblioteca estuviera abierta, entraríamos.If the library were open, we would go in.
• Si ellos supieran la respuesta, la dirían.If they knew the answer, they would say it.
• Si fuera sábado, no trabajaría.If it were Saturday, I would not work.

Watch out

Do not substitute the conditional for the subjunctive in the si clause of this standard pattern: si tuviera, not si tendría.

Try it yourself

1. Choose the imperfect subjunctive of tener after si. Si ___ más tiempo, aprendería a cocinar. (tuviera / tendría)

   Show answer or example answer

   tuviera

   Tuviera is the imperfect subjunctive of tener after si.

2. Choose the imperfect subjunctive of poder after si. Si ___, iría contigo. (pudiera / podría)

   Show answer or example answer

   pudiera

   Pudiera is the imperfect subjunctive of poder after si.

3. Choose the imperfect subjunctive of estar after si. Si la biblioteca ___ abierta, entraríamos. (estuviera / estaría)

   Show answer or example answer

   estuviera

   Estuviera is the imperfect subjunctive of estar after si.

Use it today

Describe what you would do with more time and what would happen if a place were open.