retrasar Conditional Conjugation
retrasar — to delay
The conditional of retrasar (retrasaría, retrasarías, etc.) expresses 'would' delays, polite requests, or future-in-the-past.
retrasar Conditional Forms
When to Use the Conditional
Use the conditional of 'retrasar' to talk about what someone *would* do (or what *would* happen) regarding a delay, often in hypothetical situations. It's also used for polite requests or to describe a future action from a past perspective.
Notes on retrasar in the Conditional
Retrasar is regular in the conditional tense. The stem is the full infinitive 'retrasar', and the endings are standard conditional endings.
Example Sentences
Yo retrasaría la decisión hasta tener más información.
I would delay the decision until I have more information.
yo
¿Tú retrasarías el viaje si hiciera mal tiempo?
Would you delay the trip if the weather were bad?
tú
Él dijo que retrasaría la entrega.
He said he would delay the delivery.
él/ella/usted
Nosotros retrasaríamos el evento si fuera necesario.
We would delay the event if it were necessary.
nosotros
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the conditional for a simple future action.
Correct: For a definite future action, use the future tense: 'Mañana retrasaré la reunión' (Tomorrow I will delay the meeting). The conditional 'retrasaría' implies uncertainty or conditionality.
Why: The conditional expresses hypothetical or polite actions, not straightforward future certainties.
Mistake: Confusing the conditional stem with the infinitive.
Correct: The conditional stem for 'retrasar' is 'retrasar-', not just 'retras-'. The endings are added to the full infinitive.
Why: Some tenses use stems derived from the 'yo' form, but the conditional uses the infinitive.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: retraso
The present tense of retrasar (retraso, retrasas, etc.) is for actions happening now or habitual delays.
Preterite
yo: retrasé
The preterite of retrasar is regular: retrasé, retrasaste, retrasó, retrasamos, retrasasteis, retrasaron, for completed past actions.
Imperfect
yo: retrasaba
The imperfect of retrasar (retrasaba, retrasabas, etc.) describes ongoing or habitual delays in the past.
Future
yo: retrasaré
The future tense of retrasar (retrasaré, retrasarás, etc.) indicates actions that will happen or expresses probability.
Present Subjunctive
yo: retrase
The present subjunctive of retrasar (retrace, retrases, etc.) follows expressions of doubt, desire, emotion, or uncertainty.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: retrasara
The imperfect subjunctive of retrasar (retrasara, retrasaras, etc.) is used for past hypotheticals, wishes, or politeness.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: retrasa
Use the imperative of retrasar for direct commands: retrasa (tú), retrase (usted), retrasemos (nosotros), retrasad (vosotros), retrasen (ustedes).
Negative Imperative
yo: no retrases
Negative commands for retrasar use 'no' plus the present subjunctive: no retrases (tú), no retrase (usted), no retrasemos (nosotros), no retraséis (vosotros), no retrasen (ustedes).