B2 · Upper intermediate

Conditional sentences (type 1, 2, 3 and mixed)

The three classic 'si' conditional sentence types and how to combine them into mixed conditionals.

Type 1: real/possible condition (si + present, future)

The first conditional describes a condition that is realistic or likely, in the present or future.

Structure: si + present indicative, ... future simple (or present/imperative).

Never use the future or conditional right after 'si' — this is a common mistake.

Si-zin	Hoofdzin	Voorbeeld
presente	futuro simple	Si tengo tiempo, iré al gimnasio.
presente	presente	Si llueve, no salimos.
presente	imperativo	Si terminas los deberes, ven a jugar.

Examples

Si tengo tiempo, iré al gimnasio.If I have time, I will go to the gym.

Si llueve, no salimos.If it rains, we don't go out.

Si terminas los deberes, podrás ver la tele.If you finish your homework, you'll be able to watch TV.

Type 2: unreal condition in the present (si + imperfect subjunctive, conditional)

The second conditional describes a condition that is unlikely, hypothetical or unreal in the present or future.

Structure: si + imperfect subjunctive, ... simple conditional.

Note: the conditional is never used right after 'si' here, only the imperfect subjunctive.

Si-zin	Hoofdzin	Voorbeeld
imperfecto de subjuntivo	condicional simple	Si tuviera dinero, viajaría por el mundo.

Examples

Si tuviera dinero, viajaría por el mundo.If I had money, I would travel the world.

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

Si lloviera, no saldríamos.If it rained, we wouldn't go out.

Type 3: unreal condition in the past (si + pluperfect subjunctive, conditional perfect)

The third conditional describes something that did not happen in the past — an unfulfilled condition with a consequence that also did not occur.

Structure: si + pluperfect subjunctive (hubiera/hubiese + past participle), ... conditional perfect (habría + past participle).

Si-zin	Hoofdzin	Voorbeeld
pluscuamperfecto de subjuntivo	condicional compuesto	Si hubiera estudiado, habría aprobado el examen.

Examples

Si hubiera estudiado, habría aprobado el examen.If I had studied, I would have passed the exam.

Si hubieras llamado, te habría ayudado.If you had called, I would have helped you.

Si no hubiera llovido, habríamos ido a la playa.If it hadn't rained, we would have gone to the beach.

Mixed conditionals

Sometimes the condition belongs to the past, but the consequence to the present (or the reverse). In that case you combine parts of type 2 and type 3.

Past condition → present consequence:
si + pluperfect subjunctive, ... simple conditional.

This is the most common combination at B2 level.

Examples

Si hubiera estudiado medicina, ahora sería médico.If I had studied medicine, I would now be a doctor.

Si no hubieras perdido el tren, ahora estarías en casa.If you hadn't missed the train, you would be home now.

💡 Tips

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The future or conditional never follows 'si' directly. Remember: 'si' + present/imperfect subjunctive/pluperfect subjunctive — never future or conditional right after 'si'.

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Look at the tense of the consequence to spot a mixed conditional: 'ahora' or 'todavía' in the main clause often signals a mixed conditional (past condition, present consequence).

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Type 1 = possible, type 2 = unlikely/unreal now, type 3 = unreal in the past — choose based on how realistic the condition is.

🎯 Practise this topic with 10 interactive exercises (10)

Related grammar

The passive voice (voz pasiva)

The difference between ser + participle (action), estar + participle (result) and the pasiva refleja with se.

B2-level discourse connectors

Formal connectors to express contrast, consequence, reason and condition in written and spoken discourse.

← The imperfect subjunctive The pluperfect subjunctive →

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