contestar Conditional Conjugation
contestar — to answer
Use 'contestaría', 'contestarías', etc., for hypothetical situations ('would answer').
contestar Conditional Forms
When to Use the Conditional
The conditional tense is used for hypothetical situations (what *would* happen), polite requests, or to express probability in the past ('He said he would answer').
Notes on contestar in the Conditional
Contestar is regular in the conditional tense. The stem is the full infinitive 'contestar', and regular conditional endings are added.
Example Sentences
Yo contestaría si supiera la respuesta.
I would answer if I knew the answer.
yo
¿Tú contestarías esa pregunta en público?
Would you answer that question in public?
tú
Él contestaría amablemente.
He would answer kindly.
él/ella/usted
Ellos contestarían si les preguntaras.
They would answer if you asked them.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the future tense 'contestaré' instead of the conditional 'contestaría' for hypotheticals.
Correct: For hypothetical 'would' statements, use the conditional: 'contestaría'.
Why: The future tense expresses certainty, while the conditional expresses possibility or hypothetical outcomes.
Mistake: Forgetting the accent on the 'i' in the conditional endings: 'contestarIa' instead of 'contestaría'.
Correct: All conditional endings require an accent on the 'i': 'contestaría', 'contestarías', etc.
Why: The accent is essential for pronunciation and correct spelling.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: contesto
Use 'contesto', 'contestas', 'contesta' for actions happening now or habitually.
Preterite
yo: contesté
Use 'contesté', 'contestaste', 'contestó' for completed past actions.
Imperfect
yo: contestaba
Use 'contestaba', 'contestabas', etc., for ongoing or habitual past actions.
Future
yo: contestaré
The future tense 'contestaré', 'contestarás', etc., indicates actions that will happen.
Present Subjunctive
yo: conteste
Use 'conteste' (yo/él/ella/usted) and 'contestes' (tú) for wishes, doubts, or influence.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: contestara
Use 'contestara' or 'contestase' for past hypotheticals, wishes, or doubts.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: contesta
Use 'contesta' (tú) and 'conteste' (usted) for direct commands to answer.
Negative Imperative
yo: no contestes
Negative commands use 'no' + present subjunctive, like 'no contestes' (tú) or 'no conteste' (usted).