
retornar Conditional Conjugation
retornar — to return
The conditional of 'retornar' (retornaría, retornarías, etc.) expresses hypothetical actions, polite requests, or future-in-the-past.
retornar Conditional Forms
When to Use the Conditional
Use the conditional for hypothetical situations ('would return'), polite requests ('would you return?'), or to describe what was going to happen in the past.
Notes on retornar in the Conditional
'Retornar' is regular in the conditional tense. The conditional stem is the infinitive ('retornar-') to which the standard conditional endings (-ía, -ías, -ía, -íamos, -íais, -ían) are added.
Example Sentences
Yo retornaría el dinero si tuviera suficiente.
I would return the money if I had enough.
yo
¿Retornarías este vestido si no te quedara bien?
Would you return this dress if it didn't fit you well?
tú
Él retornaría la llamada si fuera importante.
He would return the call if it were important.
él/ella/usted
Nosotros retornaríamos el favor más tarde.
We would return the favor later.
nosotros
Ellos retornarían el coche si no les gustara.
They would return the car if they didn't like it.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the future tense for hypotheticals: 'Retornaré el dinero si tuviera suficiente'.
Correct: 'Retornaría el dinero si tuviera suficiente'.
Why: The conditional is used for hypothetical situations ('would'), while the future is for probable or certain future events.
Mistake: Confusing conditional with imperfect subjunctive in 'if' clauses: 'Si retornaría...'.
Correct: 'Si retornara...' or 'Si retornase...' (imperfect subjunctive) followed by 'retornaría' (conditional).
Why: Standard structure for hypotheticals: imperfect subjunctive in the 'if' clause, conditional in the main clause.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: retorno
The present tense of 'retornar' (retorno, retornas, etc.) describes current actions or habits of returning.
Preterite
yo: retorné
The preterite of 'retornar' is regular: retorné, retornaste, retornó, retornamos, retornasteis, retornaron.
Imperfect
yo: retornaba
The imperfect of 'retornar' (retornaba, retornabas, etc.) describes ongoing or habitual past actions of returning.
Future
yo: retornaré
The future tense of 'retornar' (retornaré, retornarás, etc.) indicates actions that will happen.
Present Subjunctive
yo: retorne
The present subjunctive of 'retornar' (retorne, retornes, etc.) expresses wishes, doubts, emotions, and uncertainty.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: retornara
The imperfect subjunctive of 'retornar' (retornara, retornaras, etc.) is used for past hypotheticals, wishes, or suggestions.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: retorna
Use 'retorna' (tú), 'retorne' (usted), 'retornemos' (nosotros), 'retornad' (vosotros), 'retornen' (ustedes) for direct commands.
Negative Imperative
yo: no retornes
Negative commands use 'no' + present subjunctive: 'no retornes' (tú), 'no retorne' (usted), etc.