definir Conditional Conjugation
definir — to define
Use the conditional of 'definir' for 'I would define', 'you would define', 'they would define'.
definir Conditional Forms
When to Use the Conditional
The conditional tense is used for hypothetical situations ('what would happen'), polite requests, or expressing future actions from a past perspective. For 'definir', you might say 'I would define it differently if I had more time' or 'Would you define the problem for me?'.
Notes on definir in the Conditional
Definir is regular in the conditional tense. The stem is the infinitive 'definir-', and you add the standard conditional endings: -ía, -ías, -ía, -íamos, -íais, -ían. So, 'definiría', 'definirías', 'definiría', 'definiríamos', 'definiríais', 'definirían'.
Example Sentences
Yo definiría la situación de otra manera.
I would define the situation differently.
yo
¿Tú definirías el término si te lo pidiera?
Would you define the term if I asked you?
tú
Él definiría el alcance del proyecto.
He would define the scope of the project.
él/ella/usted
Nosotros definiríamos las reglas con más calma.
We would define the rules more calmly.
nosotros
Ellos definirían sus prioridades si tuvieran tiempo.
They would define their priorities if they had time.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the imperfect subjunctive instead of the conditional for 'would'.
Correct: Instead of 'Si tuviera tiempo, definiera...', use 'Si tuviera tiempo, definiría...'.
Why: While related, the conditional is used for the main clause of hypothetical sentences ('I would define'), and the imperfect subjunctive is used in the 'if' clause ('if I had').
Mistake: Confusing conditional endings with future endings.
Correct: Future endings are -é, -ás, -á (e.g., 'definirá'), while conditional endings are -ía, -ías, -ía (e.g., 'definiría').
Why: These are distinct tenses with different meanings and endings.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: defino
Use the present of 'definir' for 'I define', 'you define', 'they define' happening now or habitually.
Preterite
yo: definí
Use the preterite of 'definir' for completed actions like 'I defined' or 'she defined'.
Imperfect
yo: definía
Use the imperfect of 'definir' for ongoing or habitual past actions like 'I used to define' or 'she was defining'.
Future
yo: definiré
Use the future of 'definir' for 'I will define', 'you will define', 'they will define'.
Present Subjunctive
yo: defina
Use the present subjunctive (defina/defina) after expressions of doubt, desire, or emotion.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: definiera
Use the imperfect subjunctive (definiera/definiese) for past hypotheticals or wishes.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: define
Use the imperative of definir for direct commands like 'define!', 'let's define!'.
Negative Imperative
yo: no definas
Use 'no + present subjunctive' for negative commands like 'don't define!'.