Remote conditional sentences

A remote conditional sentence expresses a condition that the speaker considers unlikely, hypothetical, or contrary to present fact. The if-clause (introduced by si) uses the imperfect subjunctive, and the main clause uses the conditional simple. The structure signals that the speaker does not expect the condition to be met — either because it contradicts current reality or because it is merely imagined.

• Contrary-to-fact conditions in the present. The condition contradicts what is actually true right now. «Si fuera millonario, te compraría un yate» implies the speaker is not a millionaire.

• Unlikely or remote hypotheticals. The speaker considers the condition possible in theory but very improbable. «Si pagaras ahora, costaría menos» implies the speaker doubts the listener will pay now.

• Advice framed as «if I were you». Spanish uses «Si yo fuera tú» or the equivalent «Yo que tú» followed by the conditional to give advice by imagining oneself in another person's position.

• Either clause can come first. The si-clause may precede or follow the main clause without any change in meaning. «Yo iría contigo si pudiera» is equivalent to «Si pudiera, yo iría contigo».

The pattern is: si + imperfect subjunctive, conditional simple. The two tenses must match: you cannot mix them with other tense combinations in this construction.

The imperfect subjunctive has two sets of endings, the -ra forms and the -se forms. After si, both are equally correct and interchangeable. The -ra forms are more common in speech across most of the Spanish-speaking world.

Imperfect subjunctive endings (formed from the 3rd-person plural preterite stem, e.g. tuvieron → stem tuvie-):

Conditional simple endings (added to the infinitive for regular verbs, e.g. comprar):

• Imperfect indicative in the si-clause. Learners whose first language is English or French sometimes write «*si tenía dinero, lo compraría» by direct transfer. In a remote conditional, the si-clause requires the imperfect subjunctive: «si tuviera dinero, lo compraría». The imperfect indicative after si is only correct in a different construction — reported speech about a past open condition (e.g. «Dijo que me pagaría si había terminado»), which is not a remote conditional.

• Conditional in the si-clause. «*Si estaría en casa, llamaría» is a sub-standard regional pattern. The conditional is never used after si in standard written or formal spoken Spanish. Always use the imperfect subjunctive: «Si estuviera en casa, llamaría».

• Present subjunctive after si. «*Si tenga tiempo, viajaría» mixes the present subjunctive (used after si only in indirect questions, not in conditionals) with the conditional. For a remote condition, use the imperfect subjunctive: «Si tuviera tiempo, viajaría». For a real, open condition, use the present indicative: «Si tengo tiempo, viajo».