51.1.5 Si+ imperfect subjunctive + conditional
A condition which is seen as more remote or less likely to be fulfilled is expressed in
Spanish with an imperfect subjunctive in the if-clause, followed by a conditional in the
main clause. 16.1.1.3 (p. 61); 16.1.1.2 (p. 59)
Si vinieran mañana los verías.
If they came tomorrow you would see them.Si usted se lo explicara probablemente lo entendería.
If you explained it to him/her he/she would probably understand it.The two previous examples are not too different from:
Si vienen mañana los veras.
If they come tomorrow you will see them.Si usted se lo explica probablemente lo entenderá.
If you explain it to him/her he/she will probably understand it.With the present, the condition is seen as more likely to be fulfilled.51.1.6 Si+ imperfect subjunctive + imperfect indicative
This construction with an imperfect indicative instead of a conditional in the main
clause is a much less common variant of the construction in 51.1.5 above, and
generally restricted to informal spoken language. Although generally acceptable in
Peninsular Spanish, this construction may be considered substandard in some Latin
American countries. 16.1.1.2 (p. 59)
Si volviera a pegarme lo dejaba (for dejaría).
If he beat me up again I would leave him.Si me ofrecieran el puesto lo aceptaba (for aceptaría).
If they offered me the job I would take it.18.2.4 (p. 89); 18.2.3 (p. 88)
51.2 Unfulfilled conditions
51.2.1 Si+ imperfect subjunctive + conditional
A condition relating to the present which cannot be fulfilled or which is contrary to
fact, such as Si fueras más alto... ‘If you were taller.. .’ is expressed by the imperfect
subjunctive after si and the conditional in the main clause. See 51.1.5 above.Si fueras más alto lo verías.
If you were taller you would see it.Si tuviera buena voz la podríamos contratar.
If she had a good voice we could hire her.Unfulfilled conditions 51.2