conditionalvsimperfect subjunctive
/kohn-dee-syoh-NAHL/
/soob-hoon-TEE-boh eem-pehr-FEK-toh/
💡 Quick Rule
Conditional is the 'would' part of a fantasy. Imperfect Subjunctive is the 'if' part.
Think: 'If I *WERE* a rich man (Subjunctive), I *WOULD* buy a house (Conditional).'
- Use 'quisiera' (Imperfect Subjunctive) to politely say 'I would like' (which feels like a conditional meaning).
- After the phrase 'como si' (as if), you always use the Imperfect Subjunctive, never the conditional.
📊 Comparison Table
| Context | conditional | imperfect subjunctive | Why? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hypothetical 'If... Then' | ...compraría un coche nuevo. (...I would buy a new car.) | Si ganara la lotería... (If I won the lottery...) | Conditional describes the result ('would do'). Imperfect Subjunctive sets the unlikely condition ('if...'). |
| Making Requests | ¿Me ayudarías con esto? (Would you help me with this?) | Quisiera que me ayudaras. (I would like you to help me.) | Conditional makes a direct, polite request. Imperfect Subjunctive expresses a wish for someone else to act. |
| Expressing Possibility | Yo lo haría de otra forma. (I would do it another way.) | No creía que fuera posible. (I didn't think it was possible.) | Conditional talks about what you would do. Imperfect Subjunctive is used after expressions of doubt or disbelief in the past. |
✅ When to Use "conditional" / imperfect subjunctive
conditional
The 'would' tense. Use it to talk about what you *would do* or what *would happen* in a hypothetical or imaginary situation.
/kohn-dee-syoh-NAHL/
The result of a hypothetical situation
Si tuviera más tiempo, leería más libros.
If I had more time, I would read more books.
Making polite requests or suggestions
¿Podrías cerrar la ventana, por favor?
Could you close the window, please?
Speculating about something in the past
No sé qué hora era. Serían las diez.
I don't know what time it was. It was probably ten o'clock.
Reporting a 'future' action from a past point of view
Ella dijo que vendría a la fiesta.
She said that she would come to the party.
imperfect subjunctive
The 'if I were...' tense. Use it for the condition part of a hypothetical situation, or for past wishes, doubts, and polite requests.
/eem-pehr-FEK-toh del soob-hoon-TEE-boh/
The condition in a hypothetical 'if' clause
Si yo fuera tú, no lo haría.
If I were you, I wouldn't do it.
Expressing past wishes, requests, or emotions
Esperaba que me llamaras.
I was hoping that you would call me.
Extremely polite requests
Quisiera dos boletos para el cine.
I would like two tickets for the movie.
After expressions like 'como si' (as if)
Gasta dinero como si fuera millonario.
He spends money as if he were a millionaire.
🔄 Contrast Examples
With "conditional":
Yo viajaría más.
I would travel more. (This is the result/consequence.)
With "imperfect subjunctive":
Si tuviera más dinero...
If I had more money... (This is the hypothetical condition.)
The Difference: These two tenses work together in 'if... then' sentences. The imperfect subjunctive sets the 'if' condition, and the conditional describes the 'then' result: 'Si tuviera más dinero, viajaría más.'
With "conditional":
¿Podrías darme un café?
Could you give me a coffee? (A polite request.)
With "imperfect subjunctive":
Quisiera un café.
I would like a coffee. (An even more polite, softer request.)
The Difference: Both are polite. The conditional ('podrías') is a gentle command. The imperfect subjunctive ('quisiera') is a classic, almost formal way to state a desire, and is one of the most common uses you'll hear in cafes and restaurants.
With "conditional":
Pensé que él llegaría a las 8.
I thought he would arrive at 8.
With "imperfect subjunctive":
Dudaba que él llegara a las 8.
I doubted that he would arrive at 8.
The Difference: Use the conditional to state what you believed *would* happen. Use the imperfect subjunctive after verbs of doubt, denial, or uncertainty ('dudaba que', 'no creía que') to express skepticism about the past event.
🎨 Visual Comparison
Imperfect Subjunctive is the dream ('If I were on a beach...'). Conditional is the plan ('...I would be so happy.').
⚠️ Common Mistakes
Si yo tendría tiempo, iría.
Si yo tuviera tiempo, iría.
The 'if' clause in these sentences *always* uses the imperfect subjunctive. Never use the conditional right after 'si'.
Me pidió que yo iría con él.
Me pidió que yo fuera con él.
After a past request or desire ('me pidió que...'), you must use the imperfect subjunctive to describe the requested action.
Actúa como si tendría todo el dinero del mundo.
Actúa como si tuviera todo el dinero del mundo.
The phrase 'como si' (as if) is a fixed trigger that is always followed by the imperfect subjunctive.
📚 Related Grammar
Want to understand the grammar behind this pair? Explore these lessons for a deep dive:
The Conditional Tense
Full grammar lesson on how to form and use the conditional.
The Imperfect Subjunctive
Full grammar lesson on the imperfect subjunctive, a required concept.
Hypothetical 'Si' Clauses
Explains how these two tenses work together in 'if... then' sentences.
🏷️ Key Words
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: Conditional vs Imperfect Subjunctive
Question 1 of 3
Complete the sentence: 'Si yo fuera rico, ___ un yate.'
🏷️ Tags
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a difference between the '-ra' (amara) and '-se' (amase) endings for the imperfect subjunctive?
Functionally, no. They mean the exact same thing and are interchangeable in most contexts. The '-ra' ending is far more common in everyday speech across almost all of the Spanish-speaking world. You should learn to recognize the '-se' form, but you can almost always use the '-ra' form when speaking.
Can I use the conditional after 'si'?
In hypothetical 'if I were you' type sentences, no. The rule is 'si + imperfect subjunctive, ...conditional'. However, there is a totally different structure where 'si' means 'I wonder if' where you *can* use the conditional, like 'Me pregunto si él vendría' (I wonder if he would come). But for the classic 'if/then' fantasy, never put conditional after 'si'.
This seems really hard. How important is it to master?
It's definitely an advanced topic, but it's essential for fluency. Mastering this structure unlocks your ability to speak hypothetically, give advice, express desires politely, and talk about unreal situations. It's a huge step towards sounding more natural and nuanced.