Real conditions: si + present
For real or likely conditions, use si + present indicative. The main clause can be present, future, ir a or imperative.
| si-clause | main clause | example |
|---|---|---|
| si + present | present (general truth) | Si calientas el hielo, se derrite. |
| si + present | future / ir a | Si llueve, nos quedaremos en casa. |
| si + present | imperative | Si tienes hambre, come algo. |
Rules
- Never the future or present subjunctive after si (meaning if): Si lloverá ✗, Si llueva ✗.
- The si-clause can come second: Te llamo si necesito ayuda.
- si (if) has no accent; sí (yes) does.
Other conditional words
siempre que / con tal de que (provided that) and a menos que / a no ser que (unless) take the subjunctive: Te ayudo siempre que me lo pidas.
Examples
- Si tengo tiempo, iré al gimnasio.If I have time, I’ll go to the gym.
- Si no entiendes algo, pregúntame.If you don’t understand something, ask me.
- Si vas al súper, compra pan.If you go to the supermarket, buy bread.
- No salgo a menos que deje de llover.I won’t go out unless it stops raining.
- Si llueve mañana, nos quedamos en casa.If it rains tomorrow, we stay at home.
Common mistakes
- ✗ Si lloverá, no iré.✓ Si llueve, no iré.After si the present is used, not the future. English also uses the present (“if it rains”), but learners overcorrect.
- ✗ Si tendré tiempo, voy.✓ Si tengo tiempo, voy.Si never takes the future or the conditional in a real condition: si tengo, not si tendré.
- ✗ Si vengas, te llamo.✓ Si vienes, te llamo.A real condition takes the indicative, not the subjunctive. Subjunctive only appears with unreal conditions.
- ✗ Si vienes no, voy sin ti.✓ Si no vienes, voy sin ti.No goes before the verb. English “if you don’t” has the helper do-verb first, which is why the order confuses.
- ✗ Si tengo tiempo, ir al cine.✓ Si tengo tiempo, iré al cine.The main clause needs a finite verb. English “I’ll go” has will, which Spanish builds as a single future form.