If Only

How to make 'if' sentences in Spanish (si clauses)

Real plans, advice, and daydreams with si — spoken in a live back-and-forth, not diagrammed.

GRAMMAR PACK · 5 LESSONS · B1

The rule that fixes most si-clause mistakes: after si in a real condition, use the present tense — never the future. Si tengo tiempo, te llamaré, not si tendré. From there, real conditionals come in three flavors: si + present → present for general truths (Si llueve, la calle se moja), → future for likely outcomes (Si estudias, aprobarás el examen), and → imperative for advice (Si tienes hambre, come algo). For daydreams and unreal situations you switch gears: si + imperfect subjunctive → conditional — Si tuviera dinero, viajaría por el mundo; Si fuera tú, hablaría con él.

Below: the sentences that carry each pattern, how locals actually hedge their plans, the classic errors — and how &Be gets these into your mouth by talking, with no fill-in-the-blank worksheets.

Say this

The phrases that carry the conversation

si + present → future (real future condition)

Si tengo tiempo, te llamaréIf I have time, I'll call you
Si hace buen tiempo, iremos al parqueIf the weather is good, we'll go to the park
Si estudias, aprobarás el examenIf you study, you'll pass the exam
Si me ayudas, terminaré prontoIf you help me, I'll finish soon

si + imperfect subjunctive → conditional (hypothetical)

Si tuviera dinero, viajaría por el mundoIf I had money, I'd travel the world
Si fuera tú, hablaría con élIf I were you, I'd talk to him
Si pudiera, te ayudaríaIf I could, I'd help you
Si supiera la respuesta, te la diríaIf I knew the answer, I'd tell you

si + present → imperative (advice/instruction)

Si tienes hambre, come algoIf you're hungry, eat something
Si estás cansado, descansaIf you're tired, rest
Si no entiendes, preguntaIf you don't understand, ask
Si ves a Juan, dile que llameIf you see Juan, tell him to call

Regional Spanish

What locals actually say

Textbooks teach one word. Locals use several — pick your region's and stay consistent.

Méx: 'si te late, le entras' (if you're up for it, jump in)
Méx/centro: 'si me da chance, lo hago' (if I get the chance, I do it)
Arg: 'si querés, vamos' (voseo, casual plan)
Caribe: 'si te da la gana, dímelo' (if you feel like it, tell me)
Coloquial pan-LatAm: 'si tú dices, yo voy' (if you say so, I'll go)
Méx: 'si me alcanza la lana, te invito' (if I have enough cash, it's on me)
Méx: 'si se puede, ahí caigo' (if it works out, I'll drop by)
Arg: 'si pinta, te aviso' (if it comes up, I'll let you know)
Col: 'si Dios quiere, mañana lo hacemos' (very common future hedge)
Pan-LatAm: 'si todo sale bien, nos vemos' (if all goes well, see you)

Watch out

Mistakes that mark you as a textbook speaker

Using future tense after 'si' in real conditionals.use present after 'si' — 'si tengo tiempo, te llamaré' (not 'si tendré tiempo').
Using present indicative after 'para que'.'para que' always triggers subjunctive — 'para que vengas', 'para que sepas'.
Using present subjunctive after 'si' for hypotheticals.hypothetical 'si' takes imperfect subjunctive — 'si tuviera' (not 'si tenga').

The part no drill site can do

No flashcards. You learn it by using it

Carla

Your grammar teacher for this pack

Nothing to fill in here — in the If Only lessons you say your conditions to Carla, and she plays with them. She takes your real plan — Si tengo tiempo, te llamo — and flips it into the daydream version: Si tuviera tiempo, te llamaría. Same idea, two reality levels, and you say both. She asks for advice and you reach for yo en tu lugar or si fuera tú; she swaps the clause order — Si terminas pronto, te llamo / Te llamo si terminas pronto — until either way feels natural out loud.

Blank mid-sentence and nothing bad happens — she waits. That's the practice, without unnecessary judgement.

Finish the 5 lessons and If Only is yours — earned, not given.

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Quick answers

Questions people ask

Do you use the future tense after 'si' in Spanish?

No — the si-clause stays in the present even when the result is future: Si tengo tiempo, te llamaré, Si hace buen tiempo, iremos al parque. Si tendré tiempo is the giveaway error.

How do you say 'if I had money' in Spanish?

Hypotheticals take imperfect subjunctive + conditional: Si tuviera dinero, viajaría por el mundo. Same pattern for any unreal condition: Si pudiera, te ayudaría; Si viviera en España, aprendería más rápido.

How do you say 'if I were you' in Spanish?

Si fuera tú, hablaría con él — imperfect subjunctive fuera, never si era. In conversation you'll also hear the shortcuts yo en tu lugar and yo que tú.

What's the difference between 'si tengo' and 'si tuviera'?

Reality level. Si tengo tiempo, te llamo = a real, likely condition. Si tuviera tiempo, te llamaría = unreal or wishful — you probably don't have the time. Same idea, two distances from reality.

Does 'para que' always take the subjunctive?

Yes, always: Te llamo para que vengas temprano; Cierra la puerta para que no entre frío. If you catch yourself saying para que + normal present, swap in the subjunctive — para que sepas, not para que sabes.