The Spanish Conditional Tense (Condicional Simple) is used for hypothetical situations, polite requests, and expressing probability in the past. While most verbs follow a predictable pattern, some verbs have irregular stems that need to be memorized. This guide will help you master these exceptions.
Key Points to Remember
- Regular Verbs:
- Formed by adding conditional endings (-ía, -ías, -ía, -íamos, -ían) to the infinitive.
- Irregular Verbs:
- Have unique stem changes or completely irregular forms.
- Do not use the infinitive as the stem.
- Must be memorized individually.
- Usage:
- Expresses hypothetical actions or situations.
- Used in polite requests.
- Indicates probability in the past.
Common Irregular Conditional Verbs: Your Cheat Sheet
| Verb (Infinitive) | Irregular Stem | Example Conjugation (Yo form) |
|---|---|---|
| Decir (to say) | dir- | diría (I would say) |
| Hacer (to do/make) | har- | haría (I would do/make) |
| Poder (to be able to) | podr- | podría (I would be able to) |
| Querer (to want) | querr- | querría (I would want) |
| Salir (to leave) | saldr- | saldría (I would leave) |
| Tener (to have) | tendr- | tendría (I would have) |
| Venir (to come) | vendr- | vendría (I would come) |
| Poner (to put) | pondr- | pondría (I would put) |
| Valer (to be worth) | valdr- | valdría (I would be worth) |
| Haber (auxiliary verb) | habr- | habría (I would have) |
Usage Examples:
- Hypothetical Situations:
- “Si tuviera tiempo, iría al cine.” (If I had time, I would go to the cinema.)
- Polite Requests:
- “¿Podrías ayudarme, por favor?” (Could you help me, please?)
- Probability in the Past:
- “Serían las diez cuando llegó.” (It must have been around ten when he arrived.)
Key Takeaway:
While these irregular forms may seem challenging, they are frequently used in Spanish. Regular practice and exposure to these verbs in context will help you master their usage.
Synonyms:
- English: Irregular Conditional Mood, Would Tense, Future-in-the-Past Verbs
- Spanish: Verbos Totalmente Irregulares en Pospretérito, Futuro Hipotético, Potencial Simple