
desviar Conditional Conjugation
desviar — to divert
Use conditional forms like desviaría (yo) or desviarían (ellos/ellas/ustedes) for hypothetical situations ('would divert') or polite requests.
desviar Conditional Forms
When to Use the Conditional
The conditional is used for hypothetical situations ('what would happen'), polite requests, or to express a future action from a past perspective. You might say you *would* divert a call if asked, or politely ask someone to divert something.
Notes on desviar in the Conditional
Desviar is regular in the conditional tense. The conditional stem is the infinitive 'desviar', and you add the standard conditional endings.
Example Sentences
Yo desviaría el dinero a otra cuenta si fuera necesario.
I would divert the money to another account if it were necessary.
yo
¿Tú desviarías la mirada si vieras algo extraño?
Would you divert your gaze if you saw something strange?
tú
Él desviaría la conversación para evitar el tema.
He would divert the conversation to avoid the topic.
él/ella/usted
Ellos desviarían el tráfico por la carretera vieja.
They would divert the traffic via the old road.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the future tense instead of the conditional: 'Desviaré si me lo pides' instead of 'Desviaría si me lo pidieras'.
Correct: For hypothetical situations ('if X, then Y'), use the conditional with the imperfect subjunctive: 'Desviaría si me lo pidieras'.
Why: The conditional expresses hypotheticals, while the future expresses certainty or prediction.
Mistake: Confusing conditional endings with imperfect endings.
Correct: Conditional endings are -ía, -ías, -ía, -íamos, -íais, -ían, added to the infinitive stem.
Why: These endings are similar to the imperfect endings but have an accent on the 'i'.
Master Spanish verbs in context
Memorizing tables only gets you so far. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories to see verbs like 'desviar' used naturally — in the tenses you're learning.
Related Tenses
Present
yo: desvío
Use present forms like desvío (yo) or desvían (ellos/ellas/ustedes) for actions happening now or habitual actions of diverting.
Preterite
yo: desvié
Use preterite forms like desvié (yo) or desviaron (ellos/ellas/ustedes) for completed past actions of diverting.
Imperfect
yo: desviaba
Use imperfect forms like desviaba (yo) or desviaban (ellos/ellas/ustedes) for ongoing or habitual past actions of diverting.
Future
yo: desviaré
Use future forms like desviaré (yo) or desviarán (ellos/ellas/ustedes) for actions that will happen in the future.
Present Subjunctive
yo: desvíe
Use present subjunctive forms like desvíe (yo/él/ella/usted) or desvíen (ustedes) after expressions of doubt, desire, or emotion.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: desviara
Use imperfect subjunctive forms like desviara or desviase for past hypothetical situations or wishes.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: desvía
Use imperative forms like desvía (tú) or desvíen (ustedes) for direct commands.
Negative Imperative
yo: no desvíes
Use 'no' + present subjunctive forms like no desvíes (tú) or no desvíen (ustedes) for negative commands.