Simple Conditional in Spanish

The Spanish name for this tense is: "condicional simple del indicativo".

Conjugation of the Conditional tense

As always, we will study the three verbal conjugations:

First Conjugation "-ar"

First, we will learn the conjugation of the "ar" verbs:

enviar (to send)

Second Conjugation "-er"

Now, we will see the conjugation of the "er" verbs:

coser (to sew)

Third Conjugation "-ir"

First, we will see the conjugation of the "ir" verbs:

saltar (to jump)

Summary of 'imperfect' endings

If you notice, the simple conditional does not have many differences between the different conjugations. The endings are the same except for one letter which tells you which conjugation it is. Therefore, you can use the infinitive of each regular verb and add simple conditional endings.

Uses of the simple conditional

In Spanish, the simple conditional is used in the following cases:

1. To ask for something from someone in a polite way

   ¿Podrías bajarme ese libro?
   Could you get that book down for me?

   ¿Te importaría venir conmigo?
   Would you mind coming with me?

2. To give advice

   Deberías cortarte el pelo
   You should cut your hair

   Podrías ponerte el vestido rojo
   You could wear the red dress

3. In the past, when you say or think some event will happen in the future but that doesn´t end up happening and you refer back to that same event.

   Pensé que suspenderías el examen
   I thought you would suspend the exam

   Me prometiste que recogerías tu habitación
   You promised you would pick up your room

4. to discuss theories

   Terminando pronto los deberes podrías jugar más rato con tus amigos
   If you finished your homework son, you could play with your friends longer

   Pintando más a menudo mejorarías mucho
   If you painted more often, you could improve a lot

5. For past assumptions. When you're not sure of something that happened but you take a guess.

   Pregunta: ¿Quién te arregló ayer la bicicleta?
   Respuesta: No sé, sería Óscar, le vi salir de la tienda.
   Question: Who fixed your bike yesterday?
   Answer: I don´t know, it might have been Oscar. I saw him leave the store.

   Pregunta: ¿Cuántos niños hubo en el cumpleaños?
   Respuesta: No estoy seguro, habría unos treinta
   Question: How many children were at the birthday party?
   Answer: They were twenty six. They were my classmates

The question with the simple conditional indicative

When we ask a question, generally, we switch the position of the verb to that of the personal pronoun.

Negation of the simple conditional indicative

To make the negative form, simply put the word "no" before the verb, or, in other words, to the left of the verb.