Condicional Simple (Irregular)

What This Level Adds

You already know the condicional simple with regular verbs.

This level introduces verbs with irregular stems.

Core Idea

These verbs:

• use the SAME endings as regular conditional
• change the stem before adding endings

Examples

• Tendría tiempo. = I would have time
• Harían el trabajo. = They would do the work
• Diría la verdad. = I would say the truth

Main Uses (unchanged)

1. Hypothetical situations

• Iría contigo si pudiera. = I would go with you if I could

2. Polite expressions

• ¿Podrías ayudarme?
• Me gustaría ir

3. Future in the past

• Dijo que vendría. = He said he would come

Key Insight

The conditional system is identical to future:

• same irregular stems
• same logic

Only the endings change.

Conditional Endings (unchanged)

Core Irregular Stems

Same as future tense:

Full Examples

poder

• podría
• podrías
• podría

querer

• querría
• querrías
• querría

salir

• saldría
• saldrías
• saldría

Important Rules

1. Same endings for all verbs 2. Same irregular stems as future 3. Accents always present

Word Order

• Tendría tiempo
• Dirían la verdad

Negative

• No vendría mañana

Questions

• ¿Tendrías tiempo?

Comparison with Future

Common Mistakes

• mixing stems → *tenría* ❌
• forgetting accents → *tendria* ❌
• mixing future endings → *tendréía* ❌

Cognitive Model

Future and conditional share structure:

• same stems
• different endings

Pattern Check

Summary

1. irregular stems = same as future 2. endings = conditional (-ía) 3. used for hypothetical meaning 4. very common in real Spanish

This completes the conditional tense system.