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July 5, 2021 by Faustina Mulnik Spanish Grammar 0 comments

Master Si Clauses in Spanish: If-Then Conditional Sentences

Are you ready to easily master si clauses in Spanish?

This detailed Spanish grammar guide has all the answers you need.

This blog post will teach you everything there is to know about si clauses in Spanish—covering how to use them, the different types, and show you real-life examples.

As an added bonus, you can test your knowledge below with a free quiz and download an exercise worksheet to go!

If you want to get one step closer to fluency, then let’s begin!

What are Si Clauses?

Si clauses work just like if clauses in English! Anytime you say “if…” you’re using a si clause! 

These if and si clauses are used to describe possibilities. You use them anytime you need to talk about something that may or may not happen. 

Look at this example:

If you eat those cookies, you won’t be hungry for dinner!

The first part of the sentence is the if clause, or the condition. The second part of the sentence is the result or main clause. The result clause indicates what action will happen if the si clause takes place.

A good trick is to think about “if… then” statements. If x happens then y will occur.

If I miss the bus, then I will have to walk home. 

Keep in mind that not every if clause will have “then” in its sentence, but it makes for a useful study tool.

Free Downloadable Practice Exercises 

Download our Free Si Clauses in Spanish Worksheet!

Just type in your name and email and we will immediately send the PDF to your inbox!

Si Clauses in Spanish

Now let’s go over the rules for si clauses in Spanish.

Si clauses can be either affirmative or negative:

If = Si

If… don’t/not = Si no

Si clauses in Spanish are used for both possible and impossible situations, that’s why they are also called “conditionals.” 

Si clauses in Spanish can be used for: 

  1. Likely situations
  2. Unlikely situations
  3. Impossible situations or hypothetical situations

Si + Present Indicative

The first type of si clauses in Spanish to learn are the si + present indicative clauses. 

This type of clause is used when the condition might be fulfilled. In other words, the condition is possible or feasible. 

There are three different types of resulting clauses that can follow this si clause: present indicative, future indicative, and imperative. Present indicative is the easiest, it’s just normal present tense! Future indicative is just a fancy way to say the future tense. Imperative is the tense used for commands. 

Feel free to brush up on your conjugation skills with our exclusive Beginner’s Guide to Spanish Conjugation!

This chart breaks down these si clauses in Spanish. 

Si ClauseResult Clause
Si + Present Indicative (possible condition)Present Indicative
Si + Present Indicative (possible condition)Future Indicative
Si + Present Indicative (possible condition)Imperative

Examples

Present Indicative

Si termino mis tareas, ¿puedo ir al cine?
If I finish my chores, can I go to the movies?

Future Indicative

Si llego tarde, ¿todavía estarás allí?
If I’m late, will you still be there?

Imperative

Si pierdes el autobús, vuelve a casa caminando.
If you miss the bus, walk home.

spanish si clauses

Si + Imperfect Subjunctive

This next type of si clause is used for conditions that are contrary to the facts. This means that the result clause is pretty much impossible. 

The imperfect, or past, subjunctive is used to create the si clause while the conditional tense is used in the resulting clause. The imperfect subjunctive is used to show that the si clause is not reality. The conditional tense is similar to using the English word “would”. 

These sentences are sort of like hypothetical situations!

If I had all of the money in the world, I would buy a private jet.

Si ClauseResult Clause
Si + imperfect Subjunctive Conditional

Examples

Si fuera mayor, conduciría mi propio coche como mi papá.
If I was older, I would drive my own car like my dad.

Si yo fuera tú, no lo haría.
If I were you, I wouldn’t do it.

Si tuviera más dinero, viajaría por todo el mundo.
If I had more money, I would travel around the whole world.

Si + Pluperfect Subjunctive

The last type of si clause is for situations that are contrary to past facts. The result clauses show an unrealized possibility that could have happened in the past if the condition would have been met.

Once again, these are hypothetical situations. However, they relate to past situations that were possible but didn’t actually occur. The result clause demonstrates what would have happened had the condition been met.

If I had answered my phone, I would have known sooner. 

Si ClauseResult Clause
Si + Pluperfect SubjunctivePast Conditional
Si + Pluperfect SubjunctiveSimple Conditional
Si + Pluperfect SubjunctivePluperfect Subjunctive

Examples

Simple Conditional

Si hubiera estudiado más, ahora tendría mejores notas.
If I had studied more, I would have better grades now.

Past Conditional

Si te hubiera dicho que sé cantar, te habrías reído.
If I had told you that I can sing, you would have laughed.

Pluperfect Subjunctive

Si hubiera sabido, hubiera ido contigo.

If I had known, I would have gone with you.

Multiple Choice Quiz

Quiz CTA

Test your knowledge about si clauses in Spanish with this fun interactive quiz!

1. Si veo a mi amigo, le __ “hola.” (If I see my friend, I say “hello.”)

Correct! Wrong!

2. Si comes demasiado, __ dolor de estómago. (If you eat too much, you will have a stomach ache.)

Correct! Wrong!

3. Si corremos rápido, __ la carrera. (If we run fast, we win the race.)

Correct! Wrong!

4. Si el bebé no duerme, __ cansado. (If the baby doesn't sleep, he is tired.)

Correct! Wrong!

5. Si hubiera tenido más tiempo __ más. (If I had had more time, I would have traveled more.)

Correct! Wrong!

6. Si fuera tú, __ las reglas. (If I were you, I’d study the rules.)

Correct! Wrong!

7. Si pudiera hablar alemán, __ a Alemania. (If I could speak German, I would go to Germany.)

Correct! Wrong!

8. Si tuviera más dinero, __un carro nuevo. (If I had more money, I would buy a new car.)

Correct! Wrong!

9. Si trabajas horas extras, te __ hora y media. (If you work overtime, then you’ll be paid time-and-a-half.)

Correct! Wrong!

10. Si llueve, __ mi paraguas. (If it is raining, then I will bring my umbrella.)

Correct! Wrong!

Si Clauses Quiz
Wow, you've mastered the si clauses in Spanish! Good job!

You're a pro

You've got a solid understanding of how to use the si clauses in Spanish and the quality of your Spanish conversations are exploding through the roof!
You've almost mastered the Si clauses in Spanish. Your consistent practice is leading to better results!

You're Getting Better!

As you keep up your hard work and practice, you're starting to understand better how to use the si clauses in Spanish. For more study materials, keep up-to-date with our newest published blog posts at Homeschool Spanish Academy. *YOU'RE ALMOST THERE! You can do it!* Do you prefer learning with videos? Check out our YouTube channel Spanish Academy TV for the best Spanish learning content on the web!
Practice makes perfect! Keep on studying!

Keep on studying

Your motivation to learn Spanish is an essential ingredient to success! If you're ready to take your Spanish to the next level and master the usage of the si clauses, then join us for a free Spanish class with one of our friendly, certified, native Spanish-speaking teachers from Guatemala. Sign up today!

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Want to explore more Spanish grammar lessons? Check these out!

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  • Author
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Faustina Mulnik
Faustina Mulnik
Freelance Writer at Homeschool Spanish Academy
As a native English speaker, I’ve spent over 6 years perfecting my Spanish. My studies have led me to major in Spanish, translate documents at a local museum, and communicate with people I otherwise wouldn’t have been able to know. I’ve studied abroad in Spain, lived in Yellowstone National Park for a summer, and volunteered in Costa Rica. I’m a passionate travel enthusiast seeking to share my love for all things Latin America.
Faustina Mulnik
Latest posts by Faustina Mulnik (see all)
  • How To Use the Spanish Verb ‘Parecer’ - February 12, 2023
  • How To Write Dates in Spanish - January 28, 2023
  • 50 Simple Spanish Questions To Ask in a Conversation (and How To Answer) - January 26, 2023
spanish conditionals spanish grammar spanish si clauses
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