10K+ students - 4.8/5
Learn with a teacher Learning materials included Practise conversation

Teaching guidelines +/- 15 minutes

Learn how to express future actions based on possible conditions using the conditional possible structure with "Si" + present indicative + future simple, e.g., "Si tengo tiempo, haré un curso." Explore key verbs like "tener" (to have), "hacer" (to do), and "poder" (can).
  1. We use it to express a future action dependent on a possible condition.
  2. We also use it to express promises or future intentions based on present or future situations.
  3. We form it with the structure "Si" + present indicative + simple future.
UsoEjemplo
Acción futura dependiendo de condición posibleSi tengo tiempo haré un curso de fotografía. (If I have time I will do a photography course.)
Si ahorro dinero podré comprar materiales para el bricolaje. (If I save money I will be able to buy DIY materials.)
Si no tengo miedo participaré en una maratón el próximo año. (If I am not afraid I will participate in a marathon next year.)
Promesas o intenciones futurasSi exploro nuevas actividades me haré aficionado a la jardinería. (If I explore new activities I will become fond of gardening.)

Exceptions!

  1. In this type of conditional, the condition part is in the present indicative, not in the subjunctive. Incorrect example: "Si tenga tiempo, haré crucigramas." Correct example: "Si tengo tiempo, haré crucigramas."
  2. If we express an action in the future, the outcome does not depend on something completely certain in the present. It is an open and future condition. Example: "Si mañana no llueve, correré una maratón."

Exercise 1: Condicional posible (valor de futuro)

Instruction: Fill in the correct word.

Show translation Show answers

explorará, haré, correremos, participaré, Coleccionaré, hará, exploraremos, podréis

1. Coleccionar:
... más cámaras antiguas si me hago aficionado a la fotografía.
(I will collect more vintage cameras if I become interested in photography.)
2. Hacer:
Si tengo tiempo ... un curso de jardinería para aprender a cuidar mis plantas mejor.
(If I have time, I will take a gardening course to learn how to take better care of my plants.)
3. Correr:
Si mañana no llueve mis amigos y yo ... una maratón.
(If it doesn't rain tomorrow, my friends and I will run a marathon.)
4. Poder:
Si encontráis un material económico ... practicar bricolaje.
(If you find an economical material, you will be able to practise DIY.)
5. Hacer:
Si ella encuentra un buen lugar ... crucigramas en el parque cada fin de semana.
(If she finds a good spot, she will do crosswords in the park every weekend.)
6. Explorar:
Mi hermano ... el mundo del bricolaje si encuentra herramientas económicas en la tienda.
(My brother will explore the world of DIY if he finds affordable tools in the shop.)
7. Explorar:
Si tenemos más tiempo libre ... nuevos pasatiempos para disfrutar más de los fines de semana.
(If we have more free time, we will explore new hobbies to enjoy the weekends more.)
8. Participar:
Si no tengo miedo ... en una clase de pintura para mi creatividad.
(If I am not afraid, I will participate in a painting class for my creativity.)

Understanding the Spanish "Condicional posible" (Future Value)

This lesson covers the condicional posible, a vital grammar structure in Spanish used to express possible future actions depending on certain conditions. It is appropriate for learners at the B1 level, where you expand beyond basic phrases and start expressing more complex ideas involving future possibilities and intentions.

What is the "Condicional posible"?

The condicional posible is used to talk about actions that will happen in the future only if a particular condition is met. It also helps express promises or future intentions based on present or future situations.

How is it formed?

The structure always follows this formula: "Si" + present indicative + simple future tense.

For example:

  • Si tengo tiempo haré un curso de fotografía.
  • Si ahorro dinero podré comprar materiales para el bricolaje.

Key Points and Differences Compared to English

Unlike English conditional sentences, where the subordinate clause often uses the present simple and the main clause uses 'will' ("If I have time, I will..."), in Spanish the structure strictly requires the "si" clause to be in the present indicative tense, never subjunctive. This avoids mistakes such as saying "Si tenga tiempo", which is incorrect.

Another important note is that the Spanish form expresses an open condition — the outcome depends on a future event that is possible but not guaranteed, similar to English conditionals.

Useful Words and Expressions Highlighted in the Lesson

  • Si – If
  • tengo – I have (present indicative)
  • haré – I will do (future simple)
  • ahorro – I save (present indicative)
  • podré – I will be able to (future simple)
  • no tengo miedo – I am not afraid
  • participaré – I will participate

Practical Examples to Remember

Consider situations like:

  • "Si no tengo miedo participaré en una maratón el próximo año." (If I am not afraid, I will participate in a marathon next year.)
  • "Si exploro nuevas actividades me haré aficionado a la jardinería." (If I explore new activities, I will become fond of gardening.)

These examples show how to express both actions dependent on conditions and personal promises or intentions in the future.

Written by

This content has been designed and reviewed by the coLanguage pedagogical team: About coLanguage