The Conditional Simple

Conditional sentences, as their name suggests, express that there must be a condition for what is intended to be accomplished or desired. However, the simple indicative conditional or el condicional simple de indicativo is a little different as it is used for more specific cases.

Using The Conditional Simple

Rule 1. El condicional simple de indicativo is also known as the polite tense, since it is used to make invitations or requests in a polite way. As you might guess, this tense can be accompanied by the formal register and the pronoun usted, but it can also be used in semi-informal contexts where you want to use a polite tone.

As you can see from the examples, this structure is very similar in usage to the polite "would" and "could" in English.

Rule 2. The conditional can also be used to give a suggestion or express a wish.

Rule 3. Finally, it is also used to express doubt or to make a hypothesis.

Forming The Conditional Simple

Rule 4. The conditional simple is one of the favorite tenses of Spanish learners because it has one of the simplest conjugations. To form it, you need to add the corresponding endings to regular verbs, regardless of whether they are verbs ending in -ar, -er or -ir.

Irregular Verbs

Rule 5. The following verbs have a -d added to them when conjugated in the simple conditional.

Rule 6. The verbs decir and hacer have changes in their stem for all persons.

Rule 7. The verbs caber, haber, poder and saber lose the -e of the infinitive ending (-er) before adding the endings.