emplear Conditional Conjugation
emplear — to use
The conditional of emplear (emplearía, emplearías...) expresses hypotheticals, polite requests, and future-in-the-past.
emplear Conditional Forms
When to Use the Conditional
Use the conditional for what *would* happen in a hypothetical situation, to make polite requests, or to talk about a future event from a past perspective.
Notes on emplear in the Conditional
Emplear is regular in the conditional tense. Like the future, it uses the full infinitive ('emplear') as the stem, adding the conditional endings: -ía, -ías, -ía, -íamos, -íais, -ían.
Example Sentences
Yo emplearía más paciencia si tuviera tiempo.
I would use more patience if I had time.
yo
¿Tú qué harías? ¿Emplearías ese dinero en un coche?
What would you do? Would you use that money on a car?
tú
Él sería más feliz si empleara menos horas en el trabajo.
He would be happier if he used fewer hours at work.
él/ella/usted
Ellos emplearían tácticas diferentes si fuera necesario.
They would use different tactics if it were necessary.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Nosotros emplearíamos los recursos disponibles.
We would use the available resources.
nosotros
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Confusing the conditional with the future tense.
Correct: The future ('emplearé') talks about what *will* happen; the conditional ('emplearía') talks about what *would* happen.
Why: The conditional introduces hypothetical or less certain outcomes compared to the definite future.
Mistake: Using the imperfect subjunctive instead of the conditional in the main clause of a hypothetical sentence.
Correct: Use the conditional in the main clause and the imperfect subjunctive in the 'if' clause: 'Si tuviera tiempo, emplearía más...'.
Why: This structure is standard for expressing hypothetical situations ('If X happened, then Y would happen').
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: empleo
The present tense of emplear (empleo, empleas, emplea...) is used for current actions, habits, and general truths.
Preterite
yo: empleé
The preterite of emplear is regular: empleé, empleaste, empleó, empleamos, empleasteis, emplearon.
Imperfect
yo: empleaba
The imperfect of emplear (empleaba, empleabas...) describes past habits or ongoing situations.
Future
yo: emplearé
The future tense of emplear (emplearé, emplearás...) indicates actions that will happen.
Present Subjunctive
yo: emplee
The present subjunctive of emplear (emplee, emplees, empleemos, etc.) follows expressions of doubt, desire, emotion, and uncertainty.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: empleara
The imperfect subjunctive of emplear (empleara/emplease) expresses past hypotheticals or wishes.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: emplea
Use the imperative of emplear for direct commands: ¡emplea!, ¡emplee!, ¡empleemos!, ¡empleen!, ¡emplead!
Negative Imperative
yo: no emplees
Negative commands use 'no' plus the present subjunctive: ¡no emplees!, ¡no emplee!, ¡no empleemos!, ¡no empleen!, ¡no empleéis!