Use of Conditional
1. To express a hypothetical action, either present or future.
- Ahora mismo me comería un donut.
I would eat a doughnut right now. - Mañana te daría el dinero (si lo tuviera).
Tomorrow I would give you the money (if I had it).
2. To express a future action with respect to a past action.
- Ella dijo que vendría hoy.
She said she would come today. - Mi vecina juró que nunca volvería a beber.
My neighbor swore that she would never drink again.
3. To indicate probability or conjecture in the past (like the future of probability, but with respect to the past):
- ¿Dónde irían los chicos anoche?
I wonder where the boys went last night. - No sé, estarían con sus amigos.
I don’t know; they probably were with their friends.
This idea can also be expressed with probablemente and the imperfect:
- No sé, probablemente estaban con sus amigos.
I don’t know; they probably were with their friends.
4. To soften a request or statement in order to show politeness:
- Quiero más té.
I want more tea - Querría más té.
I would like more tea
Category: Study Spanish
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