Si if clauses express a condition or event

• The si clause may be the first or second clause in a

Hypothetical statements about the future • In hypothetical statements about possible or probable future

Main clause Si clause: PRESENT INDICATIVE Si salgo temprano del trabajo, PRESENT TENSE If

Copyright © 2009 Vista Higher Learning. All rights reserved. 8. 3– 5

Hypothetical statements about the present • In hypothetical statements about improbable or contrary-to-fact present

A contrary-to-fact situation is one that is possible, but will probably not happen and/or

Copyright © 2009 Vista Higher Learning. All rights reserved. 8. 3– 8

Habitual conditions and actions in the past • In statements that express habitual past

Copyright © 2009 Vista Higher Learning. All rights reserved. 8. 3– 10

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• Si (if) clauses express a condition or event upon which another condition or event depends. Sentences with si clauses are often hypothetical statements. They contain a subordinate clause (si clause) and a main clause (result clause). Copyright © 2009 Vista Higher Learning. All rights reserved. 8. 3– 1

• The si clause may be the first or second clause in a sentence. Note that a comma is used only when the si clause comes first. Si tienes tiempo, ven con nosotros. Iré con ustedes si no trabajo. If you have time, come with us. I’ll go with you if I don’t work. Copyright © 2009 Vista Higher Learning. All rights reserved. 8. 3– 2

Hypothetical statements about the future • In hypothetical statements about possible or probable future events, the si clause uses the present indicative. The result clause may use the present indicative, the future indicative, ir a + [infinitive], or a command. Copyright © 2009 Vista Higher Learning. All rights reserved. 8. 3– 3

Main clause Si clause: PRESENT INDICATIVE Si salgo temprano del trabajo, PRESENT TENSE If I finish work early, Si usted no mejora su currículum, I’m going to the movies with Andrés. FUTURE TENSE If you don’t improve your résumé, Si la jefa me pregunta, If there is a problem, Copyright © 2009 Vista Higher Learning. All rights reserved. nunca conseguirá empleo. you’ll never get a job. IR A + [INFINITIVE] If the boss asks me, Si hay algún problema, voy al cine con Andrés. no le voy a mentir. I’m not going to lie to her. COMMAND háganos saber de inmediato. let us know right away. 8. 3– 4

Hypothetical statements about the present • In hypothetical statements about improbable or contrary-to-fact present situations, the si clause uses the past subjunctive. The result clause uses the conditional. Si clause: PAST SUBJUNCTIVE Main clause: CONDITIONAL ¡Si ustedes no fueran tan incapaces, ya lo tendrían listo! If you weren’t all so incapable, you’d already have this ready! Si sacaras un préstamo a largo plazo, pagarías menos por mes. If you took out a long-term loan, you’d pay less each month. Si no estuviera tan cansada, saldría a cenar contigo. If I weren’t so tired, I’d go out to dinner with you. Copyright © 2009 Vista Higher Learning. All rights reserved. 8. 3– 6

Habitual conditions and actions in the past • In statements that express habitual past actions that are not contrary-to-fact, both the si clause and the result clause the imperfect. Si clause: IMPERFECT Main clause: IMPERFECT Si Milena tenía tiempo libre, siempre iba a la playa. If Milena had free time, she would always go to the beach. Si mi papá salía de viaje de negocios, siempre me traía un regalito. If my dad went on a business trip, he always brought me back a little present. Copyright © 2009 Vista Higher Learning. All rights reserved. 8. 3– 9