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Present Perfect Tense (Pretérito Perfecto de Indicativo) in Spanish

Understanding the Present Subjunctive (Presente de Subjuntivo) in Spanish

Pretérito Pluscuamperfecto (Past Perfect) in Spanish

Pretérito Indefinido vs. Imperfecto – Usage and Contrast Between Two Types of Past Tense in Spanish

Simple Conditional (Condicional Simple) Tense/Mode in Spanish

Simple Future (Futuro Simple) Tense/Mode in Spanish

Tiempo Pretérito Perfecto Compuesto / Present Perfect Tense in Spanish

The Imperfect Subjunctive Tense in Spanish: Tiempo pretérito imperfecto de subjuntivo

Tiempo Futuro Compuesto / Future Perfect Tense in Spanish: A Comprehensive Guide

Master the Spanish Simple Conditional Tense: The Ultimate Expert Guide

Tiempo Condicional Compuesto: Conditional Perfect Tense in Spanish

How to Use the Present Perfect Subjunctive in Spanish: A Complete B2 Guide on Pretérito Perfecto de Subjuntivo

Past Perfect Subjunctive in Spanish: How to Use Pretérito Pluscuamperfecto de Subjuntivo with Examples and Easy Rules

April 17, 2025

Mastering Relative Clauses in Spanish: Indicative vs. Subjunctive Made Simple!

Spanish lessons

When learning Spanish, understanding relative clauses (oraciones de relativo) can be a game-changer. These clauses help connect ideas smoothly, making your speech and writing sound more natural and fluent. However, a major challenge arises when choosing between the indicative and subjunctive moods in these clauses.

Why is this choice so important? Because it affects meaning, certainty, and subjectivity in your sentences.

For example:
✅ Busco un libro que tiene muchas fotos. (I’m looking for a book that has many pictures.)
❌ Busco un libro que tenga muchas fotos. (I’m looking for a book that might have many pictures.)

Both sentences are correct, but they express different ideas! The first assumes the book exists, while the second suggests uncertainty.

In this guide, you’ll learn:

When to use indicative vs. subjunctive in relative clauses
Common expressions that trigger each mood
Conjugation rules and grammar patterns
Tricky exceptions and how to avoid common mistakes
Plenty of example sentences and practice exercises

By the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of this important grammar point, making your Spanish sound more precise and natural.

Common Expressions

Relative clauses in Spanish often start with words like que, quien, cual, and donde. Depending on the context, these clauses may require the indicative (for known or certain things) or the subjunctive (for unknown, uncertain, or subjective things).

Here are some common sentence patterns:

With Indicative (Certain/Existing Things)

Conozco a alguien que vive en Madrid.
(I know someone who lives in Madrid.) → The person exists.
Hay un restaurante que sirve comida mexicana cerca de aquí.
(There is a restaurant that serves Mexican food near here.) → The restaurant is real.
Tengo un amigo que habla cinco idiomas.
(I have a friend who speaks five languages.) → The friend is real.
El coche que está en la calle es mío.
(The car that is on the street is mine.) → A specific car is being referred to.
Necesitamos un hotel que tenga buena conexión Wi-Fi.
(We need a hotel that has a good Wi-Fi connection.) → Looking for a specific, known hotel.

With Subjunctive (Uncertain/Nonexistent Things)

Busco un libro que tenga muchas fotos.
(I’m looking for a book that has many pictures.) → Uncertain if such a book exists.
¿Hay alguien que pueda ayudarme?
(Is there someone who can help me?) → Uncertain if help is available.
Quiero un coche que no cueste mucho dinero.
(I want a car that doesn’t cost a lot of money.) → The car is hypothetical.
No hay nadie que sepa la respuesta.
(There is no one who knows the answer.) → Expressing doubt or negation.
Ojalá encuentre una casa que tenga jardín.
(I hope to find a house that has a garden.) → The house may not exist.

These expressions set the foundation for understanding when to use indicative or subjunctive in relative clauses. In the next section, we’ll go deeper into how and when to use each mood in different contexts.

Usage: When to Use Indicative vs. Subjunctive in Relative Clauses

The choice between indicative and subjunctive in relative clauses depends on certainty, existence, and subjectivity. Let’s break it down step by step.

1. Use the Indicative When Referring to Something Certain or Known

If the noun being described is specific, real, or known to exist, use the indicative in the relative clause.

✅ Examples:

Tengo un amigo que trabaja en un banco. (I have a friend who works at a bank.) → The friend is real.
Conocemos a una profesora que enseña inglés. (We know a teacher who teaches English.) → The teacher exists.
Hay un parque que tiene muchas flores. (There is a park that has many flowers.) → The park is known to exist.

Key Rule: If you’re describing something you know exists, use the indicative.

2. Use the Subjunctive When Referring to Something Uncertain, Hypothetical, or Nonexistent

If the noun being described is unspecified, unknown, or may not exist, use the subjunctive in the relative clause.

✅ Examples:

Busco un hotel que tenga piscina. (I’m looking for a hotel that has a pool.) → It’s unknown whether such a hotel exists.
¿Conoces a alguien que hable chino? (Do you know someone who speaks Chinese?) → The speaker doesn’t know if such a person exists.
No hay ningún restaurante que sirva comida italiana aquí. (There is no restaurant that serves Italian food here.) → The restaurant doesn’t exist.

Key Rule: If you’re describing something uncertain or nonexistent, use the subjunctive.

3. Use the Subjunctive After Superlatives or Expressions of Subjectivity

When using superlative expressions (the best, the worst, the only one, etc.) or making a subjective judgment, the subjunctive is preferred.

✅ Examples:

Es el mejor libro que haya leído. (It’s the best book I have ever read.) → Subjective opinion.
Es el único profesor que explique bien la gramática. (He is the only teacher who explains grammar well.) → The speaker’s perspective.

Key Rule: If the relative clause expresses personal opinion, doubt, or a unique quality, use the subjunctive.

4. Use the Subjunctive After Indefinite Pronouns Like “Cualquiera” (Whichever/Anyone)

If the noun refers to an indeterminate choice, use the subjunctive.

✅ Examples:

Cualquiera que venga será bienvenido. (Whoever comes will be welcome.)
Elija la casa que más le guste. (Choose whichever house you like the most.)

Key Rule: When the noun is unspecified or has multiple possibilities, use the subjunctive.

5. The Meaning Can Change Depending on the Mood

Sometimes, the same sentence can change meaning depending on whether you use the indicative or subjunctive.

✅ Examples:

Busco un profesor que enseña japonés. (I’m looking for a teacher who teaches Japanese.) → The teacher exists.
Busco un profesor que enseñe japonés. (I’m looking for a teacher who teaches Japanese.) → The teacher may not exist.
Quiero una casa que tiene balcón. (I want a house that has a balcony.) → The house exists.
Quiero una casa que tenga balcón. (I want a house that has a balcony.) → The house is hypothetical.

Final Takeaways on Usage:

🔹 Use Indicative when referring to something real, known, or certain.
🔹 Use Subjunctive when referring to something unknown, hypothetical, or nonexistent.
🔹 Use Subjunctive with superlatives, subjective opinions, and indefinite expressions.

Now that we understand when to use each mood, let’s move on to the Conjugation Rules in the next section! 🚀

Conjugation: How to Form Relative Clauses with Indicative and Subjunctive

The verb in the relative clause (the part that starts with “que,” “quien,” etc.) must be conjugated correctly according to tense and mood. Let’s break it down:

1. Conjugation in the Indicative Mood (Used for Certainty & Known Facts)

If the relative clause refers to something definite or real, the verb follows normal indicative conjugation rules.

Tense	Example Sentence	Translation
Present	Tengo un amigo que trabaja en un banco.	I have a friend who works at a bank.
Preterite	Encontré un libro que me gustó mucho.	I found a book that I liked a lot.
Imperfect	Había un niño que siempre jugaba en el parque.	There was a boy who always played in the park.
Future	Conoceré a alguien que hablará español.	I will meet someone who will speak Spanish.
Present Perfect	He visto una película que ha sido increíble.	I have seen a movie that has been amazing.

✅ Key Rule: Use the normal indicative conjugations when referring to a known, real, or certain entity.

2. Conjugation in the Subjunctive Mood (Used for Uncertainty & Hypotheticals)

If the relative clause refers to something uncertain, hypothetical, or nonexistent, the verb must be in the subjunctive.

Tense	Example Sentence	Translation
Present Subjunctive	Busco a alguien que hable inglés.	I’m looking for someone who speaks English.
Imperfect Subjunctive	Quería un coche que tuviera más espacio.	I wanted a car that had more space.
Present Perfect Subjunctive	Espero encontrar un trabajo que haya sido bien pagado.	I hope to find a job that has been well-paid.
Past Perfect Subjunctive	Necesitaba un amigo que hubiera entendido mi problema.	I needed a friend who had understood my problem.
Future Subjunctive (rare)	Cualquiera que fuere elegido tendrá que trabajar duro.	Whoever is chosen will have to work hard.

✅ Key Rule: Use subjunctive in the relative clause when the existence of the noun is uncertain, hypothetical, or unknown.

3. Shortcut: How to Quickly Choose Between Indicative & Subjunctive

A simple trick is to look at the main clause:

🔹 If the main clause describes something certain → Use indicative
🔹 If the main clause describes something unknown, hypothetical, or a wish → Use subjunctive

✅ Examples:

Tengo un coche que funciona bien. (I have a car that works well.) → Indicative (The car exists.)
Quiero un coche que funcione bien. (I want a car that works well.) → Subjunctive (Not a specific car, just a wish.)

Final Takeaways on Conjugation:

📌 Indicative is used for known, real things and follows normal conjugation rules.
📌 Subjunctive is used for unknown, hypothetical things and requires special conjugation.
📌 Tense agreement is important—past tenses in the main clause require past subjunctive!

Now that we’ve covered conjugation, let’s move on to the Grammar Rules section to clarify more details! 🚀

Grammar Rules for Relative Clauses with Indicative and Subjunctive

When deciding whether to use indicative or subjunctive in relative clauses, there are important grammar rules to follow. Let’s go step by step.

1. Use the Indicative When the Antecedent Is Definite or Known

If the antecedent (the noun being described) is specific, real, or known to exist, the indicative is required.

✅ Examples:

Hay un profesor que explica bien la gramática. (There is a teacher who explains grammar well.)
Tengo un amigo que vive en Madrid. (I have a friend who lives in Madrid.)
Conocemos un restaurante que sirve comida mexicana. (We know a restaurant that serves Mexican food.)

📌 Rule: If the noun is certain, use the indicative in the relative clause.

2. Use the Subjunctive When the Antecedent Is Unknown, Hypothetical, or Nonexistent

If the antecedent is unspecified, unknown, or may not exist, the subjunctive is used in the relative clause.

✅ Examples:

Busco un profesor que explique bien la gramática. (I’m looking for a teacher who explains grammar well.) → The teacher may not exist.
¿Hay alguien aquí que hable japonés? (Is there someone here who speaks Japanese?) → The speaker is unsure if such a person exists.
No hay ninguna tienda que venda ese producto. (There is no store that sells that product.) → The store does not exist.

📌 Rule: If the noun is uncertain, hypothetical, or nonexistent, use the subjunctive.

3. Use the Subjunctive After Negative Antecedents (Nonexistence)

When the main clause negates the existence of something, the verb in the relative clause must be in the subjunctive.

✅ Examples:

No conozco a nadie que pueda ayudarme. (I don’t know anyone who can help me.)
No hay ningún libro que explique esto bien. (There is no book that explains this well.)
No tengo ningún amigo que haya viajado a Japón. (I don’t have any friend who has traveled to Japan.)

📌 Rule: When the noun doesn’t exist, use the subjunctive.

4. Use the Subjunctive in Questions About Unknown Information

When asking about something that may not exist, use the subjunctive.

✅ Examples:

¿Conoces a alguien que sepa programar? (Do you know someone who knows how to program?)
¿Hay algún restaurante aquí que sirva comida italiana? (Is there a restaurant here that serves Italian food?)

However, if the question assumes that something exists, use the indicative:

✅ Example:

¿Conoces al profesor que enseña español? (Do you know the teacher who teaches Spanish?) → Assumes the teacher exists.

📌 Rule: In questions, use the subjunctive when asking about something uncertain, but indicative when assuming something exists.

5. Use the Subjunctive After Superlative Expressions and Exclusive Statements

When using superlatives (e.g., “the best,” “the only one”) or exclusive statements, the subjunctive is used in the relative clause.

✅ Examples:

Es el mejor libro que haya leído. (It’s the best book I have ever read.)
Es el único estudiante que haya aprobado el examen. (He is the only student who has passed the exam.)

📌 Rule: When using superlatives or statements that indicate exclusivity, use the subjunctive.

6. The Meaning Changes Depending on the Mood

Using indicative or subjunctive in the relative clause can change the meaning of a sentence.

✅ Examples:

Necesito un coche que tiene aire acondicionado. (I need a car that has air conditioning.) → A specific car exists.
Necesito un coche que tenga aire acondicionado. (I need a car that has air conditioning.) → A car like this may exist, but I don’t have one yet.
Busco una secretaria que habla inglés. (I’m looking for a secretary who speaks English.) → I know this person exists.
Busco una secretaria que hable inglés. (I’m looking for a secretary who speaks English.) → I don’t know if such a person exists.

📌 Rule: The indicative refers to something definite, while the subjunctive refers to something hypothetical.

Final Takeaways on Grammar Rules

✅ Use Indicative for real, certain, or known things.
✅ Use Subjunctive for uncertain, hypothetical, or nonexistent things.
✅ Use Subjunctive in negative statements, superlative expressions, and hypothetical questions.
✅ Be careful! The meaning can change depending on the mood.

Things to Keep in Mind: Tricky Points & Exceptions

Mastering relative clauses with indicative and subjunctive can be challenging, especially because small changes in context can affect which mood is required. Here are some important things to keep in mind:

1. The Meaning of the Sentence Can Change with Indicative vs. Subjunctive

One of the biggest challenges is that using indicative or subjunctive can completely change the meaning of a sentence.

✅ Examples:

Busco un profesor que enseña japonés. (I’m looking for a teacher who teaches Japanese.) → A specific teacher exists.
Busco un profesor que enseñe japonés. (I’m looking for a teacher who teaches Japanese.) → I don’t know if such a teacher exists.

📌 Key Tip: Think about whether the noun is specific and real (indicative) or hypothetical and unknown (subjunctive).

2. Some Sentences Can Use Either Mood with Slightly Different Meanings

Sometimes, both indicative and subjunctive are possible, but they give a slightly different nuance to the sentence.

✅ Examples:

Tengo un amigo que vive en España. (I have a friend who lives in Spain.) → A specific friend I know.
Quiero un amigo que viva en España. (I want a friend who lives in Spain.) → I don’t have this friend yet, just a wish.
Hay alguien que sabe la respuesta. (There is someone who knows the answer.) → A specific person exists.
¿Hay alguien que sepa la respuesta? (Is there someone who knows the answer?) → Asking if such a person exists.

📌 Key Tip: Indicative is used for things that exist, while subjunctive is used for possibilities, wishes, or questions about existence.

3. With Negative Sentences, Always Use the Subjunctive

If the sentence negates the existence of something (e.g., “I don’t know anyone who…”, “There is no one who…”), the subjunctive must be used.

✅ Examples:

No hay nadie que pueda ayudarme. (There is no one who can help me.)
No conozco a nadie que hable alemán. (I don’t know anyone who speaks German.)

📌 Key Tip: If the noun does not exist (or is negated), use subjunctive.

4. In Yes/No Questions, Use Subjunctive If the Answer Is Uncertain

When asking a yes/no question about the existence of something, the subjunctive is often used because the answer is unknown.

✅ Examples:

¿Conoces a alguien que toque la guitarra? (Do you know someone who plays the guitar?) → Uncertain if such a person exists.
¿Hay una tienda que venda café colombiano? (Is there a store that sells Colombian coffee?) → Uncertain if such a store exists.

📌 Key Tip: If you’re not sure about the existence of the noun, use subjunctive.

5. Use the Subjunctive for Superlatives and Exclusive Statements

When using superlative expressions like “the best,” “the only one,” or “the first”, the subjunctive is often required.

✅ Examples:

Es el mejor libro que haya leído. (It’s the best book I have ever read.)
Es el único profesor que haya trabajado aquí tanto tiempo. (He is the only teacher who has worked here for so long.)

📌 Key Tip: Superlatives imply that something is unique or subjective, so they often require subjunctive.

6. Watch Out for Subtle Changes with Expressions of Necessity and Desire

Sentences with words like “necesitar” (to need), “buscar” (to look for), “querer” (to want) use subjunctive when the object is not specific.

✅ Examples:

Necesito un libro que explique esto bien. (I need a book that explains this well.) → Any book, not specific → Subjunctive.
Necesito el libro que explica esto bien. (I need the book that explains this well.) → A specific book exists → Indicative.

📌 Key Tip: If you’re referring to any object/person (not specific), use subjunctive.

7. Future Subjunctive Exists but Is Rarely Used

Spanish has a future subjunctive (e.g., quienquiera que fuere), but it is archaic and mostly appears in legal or literary texts. In modern Spanish, the present or past subjunctive is used instead.

✅ Example (Rarely Used):

Cualquiera que fuere elegido tendrá que trabajar duro. (Whoever is chosen will have to work hard.)

✅ Modern Version:

Cualquiera que sea elegido tendrá que trabajar duro. (Whoever is chosen will have to work hard.)

📌 Key Tip: You don’t need to learn the future subjunctive for everyday Spanish—stick with present or past subjunctive instead!

Final Takeaways on Tricky Points & Exceptions

✅ Indicative vs. Subjunctive changes the meaning—pay attention to the difference!
✅ Use subjunctive when the noun is uncertain, hypothetical, or nonexistent.
✅ Negative statements always require the subjunctive.
✅ Superlative expressions (“the best,” “the only one”) often require the subjunctive.
✅ Verbs like “buscar,” “querer,” and “necesitar” require subjunctive if referring to something non-specific.
✅ The future subjunctive exists but is very rare in modern Spanish.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Many Spanish learners struggle with choosing between indicative and subjunctive in relative clauses. Here are the most common mistakes and how you can fix them:

1. Using Indicative Instead of Subjunctive for Unknown or Nonexistent People/Things

🔴 Incorrect:

Quiero un coche que tiene asientos de cuero. (I want a car that has leather seats.)
Busco a alguien que sabe cocinar comida japonesa. (I’m looking for someone who knows how to cook Japanese food.)

✅ Correct:

Quiero un coche que tenga asientos de cuero. (I want a car that has leather seats.)
Busco a alguien que sepa cocinar comida japonesa. (I’m looking for someone who knows how to cook Japanese food.)

📌 Why? If the person or thing is unknown, hypothetical, or does not necessarily exist, use subjunctive.

2. Using Subjunctive When the Object is Clearly Defined and Exists

🔴 Incorrect:

Tengo un amigo que hable tres idiomas. (I have a friend who speaks three languages.)
Conozco un restaurante que sirva comida vegana. (I know a restaurant that serves vegan food.)

✅ Correct:

Tengo un amigo que habla tres idiomas. (I have a friend who speaks three languages.)
Conozco un restaurante que sirve comida vegana. (I know a restaurant that serves vegan food.)

📌 Why? If the person or thing is specific and known to exist, use indicative.

3. Forgetting That Negative Statements Always Require the Subjunctive

🔴 Incorrect:

No hay nadie que puede ayudarme. (There is no one who can help me.)
No tengo ninguna amiga que entiende francés. (I don’t have any friend who understands French.)

✅ Correct:

No hay nadie que pueda ayudarme. (There is no one who can help me.)
No tengo ninguna amiga que entienda francés. (I don’t have any friend who understands French.)

📌 Why? In negative statements where something does not exist, always use subjunctive.

4. Using Indicative Instead of Subjunctive in Questions About Existence

🔴 Incorrect:

¿Conoces a alguien que trabaja en Google? (Do you know someone who works at Google?)
¿Hay un hotel que acepta perros cerca de aquí? (Is there a hotel that accepts dogs near here?)

✅ Correct:

¿Conoces a alguien que trabaje en Google? (Do you know someone who works at Google?)
¿Hay un hotel que acepte perros cerca de aquí? (Is there a hotel that accepts dogs near here?)

📌 Why? If the answer is uncertain, use subjunctive. If the answer is definite, use indicative.

✅ Compare:

Sí, conozco a alguien que trabaja en Google. (Yes, I know someone who works at Google.) → Indicative because the person exists.
No, no conozco a nadie que trabaje en Google. (No, I don’t know anyone who works at Google.) → Subjunctive because it’s a negative statement.

5. Not Using Subjunctive with Superlatives and Exclusive Statements

🔴 Incorrect:

Es el mejor profesor que explica gramática. (He is the best teacher who explains grammar.)
Es la única película que tiene un final triste. (It’s the only movie that has a sad ending.)

✅ Correct:

Es el mejor profesor que explique gramática. (He is the best teacher who explains grammar.)
Es la única película que tenga un final triste. (It’s the only movie that has a sad ending.)

📌 Why? Superlatives and exclusive statements imply a subjective opinion, so they often require subjunctive.

6. Forgetting That “Necesitar” and “Buscar” Require Subjunctive for Non-Specific Objects

🔴 Incorrect:

Necesito un libro que explica esto bien. (I need a book that explains this well.)
Busco un apartamento que tiene tres habitaciones. (I’m looking for an apartment that has three bedrooms.)

✅ Correct:

Necesito un libro que explique esto bien. (I need a book that explains this well.)
Busco un apartamento que tenga tres habitaciones. (I’m looking for an apartment that has three bedrooms.)

📌 Why? When talking about something you don’t have yet or are unsure if it exists, use subjunctive.

✅ Compare:

Este libro explica esto bien. (This book explains this well.) → Indicative because it refers to a specific book.
Necesito un libro que explique esto bien. (I need a book that explains this well.) → Subjunctive because the book is not specific.

7. Overusing Subjunctive When It’s Not Needed

🔴 Incorrect:

Veo un niño que juegue en el parque. (I see a child who is playing in the park.)
Tengo una casa que sea muy grande. (I have a house that is very big.)

✅ Correct:

Veo un niño que juega en el parque. (I see a child who is playing in the park.)
Tengo una casa que es muy grande. (I have a house that is very big.)

📌 Why? If the noun definitely exists, use indicative.

Final Takeaways on Common Mistakes

✅ Use subjunctive when the person or thing is uncertain, hypothetical, or nonexistent.
✅ Use indicative when the person or thing is specific and known to exist.
✅ Negative statements always require subjunctive.
✅ Yes/no questions use subjunctive if the answer is unknown.
✅ Superlatives (“the best,” “the only”) usually require subjunctive.
✅ Verbs like “buscar” and “necesitar” require subjunctive if referring to something non-specific.
✅ Avoid using subjunctive for things that clearly exist.

Example Sentences

1. Definite or Known vs. Indefinite or Unknown

✅ Indicative (Known/Specific):

Tengo un amigo que vive en Madrid. (I have a friend who lives in Madrid.)
Conozco una tienda que vende productos ecológicos. (I know a store that sells organic products.)

✅ Subjunctive (Unknown/Uncertain):

Quiero un amigo que viva en Madrid. (I want a friend who lives in Madrid.)
Busco una tienda que venda productos ecológicos. (I’m looking for a store that sells organic products.)

2. Negative Statements Always Require Subjunctive

✅ Subjunctive (Negative Statement):

No hay nadie que pueda ayudarme. (There is no one who can help me.)
No tengo ningún libro que explique bien este tema. (I don’t have any book that explains this topic well.)

3. Yes/No Questions with Uncertain Answers

✅ Subjunctive (Uncertain Existence):

¿Hay alguien que hable chino aquí? (Is there someone who speaks Chinese here?)
¿Conoces a alguien que sepa arreglar bicicletas? (Do you know someone who knows how to fix bikes?)

✅ Indicative (Certain Existence – Answering the Question):

Sí, hay alguien que habla chino aquí. (Yes, there is someone who speaks Chinese here.)
Sí, conozco a alguien que sabe arreglar bicicletas. (Yes, I know someone who knows how to fix bikes.)

4. Superlatives and Exclusive Statements

✅ Subjunctive (Superlative/Subjective Opinion):

Es el mejor libro que haya leído. (It’s the best book I have ever read.)
Es la única película que tenga un final triste. (It’s the only movie that has a sad ending.)

✅ Indicative (No Subjective Judgment):

Este es un libro que me gusta mucho. (This is a book that I really like.)
La película que vimos ayer fue increíble. (The movie we watched yesterday was incredible.)

5. Subjunctive with Future or Uncertain Actions

✅ Subjunctive (Action Not Completed Yet):

Llamaré a la persona que me recomienden. (I will call the person they recommend to me.)
Compraremos la casa que nos guste más. (We will buy the house that we like the most.)

✅ Indicative (Action Already Completed):

Llamé a la persona que me recomendaron. (I called the person they recommended to me.)
Compramos la casa que nos gustó más. (We bought the house that we liked the most.)

6. Expressions with “Buscar” and “Necesitar”

✅ Subjunctive (Uncertain Existence):

Busco un apartamento que tenga tres habitaciones. (I’m looking for an apartment that has three bedrooms.)
Necesito un profesor que hable inglés y francés. (I need a teacher who speaks English and French.)

✅ Indicative (Certain Existence):

Tengo un apartamento que tiene tres habitaciones. (I have an apartment that has three bedrooms.)
Conozco a un profesor que habla inglés y francés. (I know a teacher who speaks English and French.)

7. General Facts vs. Hypothetical Situations

✅ Indicative (General Fact):

Vivo en una ciudad que tiene un clima templado. (I live in a city that has a mild climate.)
Hay un restaurante aquí que sirve comida mexicana auténtica. (There is a restaurant here that serves authentic Mexican food.)

✅ Subjunctive (Hypothetical Situation):

Quiero vivir en una ciudad que tenga un clima templado. (I want to live in a city that has a mild climate.)
Ojalá hubiera un restaurante aquí que sirviera comida mexicana auténtica. (I wish there were a restaurant here that served authentic Mexican food.)

8. Imperatives with Uncertain Objects

✅ Subjunctive (Uncertain Object/Person):

Dime si conoces a alguien que pueda ayudarme. (Tell me if you know someone who can help me.)
Recomiéndame un libro que sea interesante. (Recommend me a book that is interesting.)

✅ Indicative (Known Object/Person):

Dime si conoces a alguien que puede ayudarme. (Tell me if you know someone who can help me.)
Me recomendó un libro que es muy interesante. (He recommended me a book that is very interesting.)

Exercise: Fill in the Blanks

Complete the following sentences with the correct indicative or subjunctive form of the verb in parentheses.

Busco un profesor que _______ (hablar) francés y español.
Conozco a una persona que _______ (trabajar) en esa empresa.
¿Hay alguien aquí que _______ (saber) tocar la guitarra?
No hay nadie en mi familia que _______ (poder) cocinar bien.
Necesito un libro que me _______ (ayudar) a estudiar español.
Tengo un amigo que _______ (vivir) en Argentina.
Queremos comprar una casa que _______ (tener) un jardín grande.
Ella quiere conocer a alguien que _______ (compartir) sus intereses.
Este es el mejor café que _______ (probar) en mi vida.
No encuentro a nadie que me _______ (prestar) dinero.
Hay un hotel aquí que _______ (ofrecer) habitaciones baratas.
Prefiero trabajar con personas que _______ (ser) responsables.
¿Conoces algún restaurante que _______ (servir) comida vegetariana?
No hay nada en la tienda que me _______ (gustar).
Es el único libro que me _______ (interesar) leer.
Espero encontrar un trabajo que me _______ (permitir) viajar.
Esta es la chica que siempre me _______ (ayudar) con las tareas.
No tengo amigos que _______ (vivir) en otro país.
¿Sabes de alguien que _______ (poder) reparar mi ordenador?
Necesito hablar con la persona que _______ (ser) responsable del proyecto.

Answers: Fill in the Blanks

Busco un profesor que hable francés y español. (I’m looking for a teacher who speaks French and Spanish.)
Conozco a una persona que trabaja en esa empresa. (I know a person who works at that company.)
¿Hay alguien aquí que sepa tocar la guitarra? (Is there someone here who knows how to play the guitar?)
No hay nadie en mi familia que pueda cocinar bien. (There is no one in my family who can cook well.)
Necesito un libro que me ayude a estudiar español. (I need a book that helps me study Spanish.)
Tengo un amigo que vive en Argentina. (I have a friend who lives in Argentina.)
Queremos comprar una casa que tenga un jardín grande. (We want to buy a house that has a big garden.)
Ella quiere conocer a alguien que comparta sus intereses. (She wants to meet someone who shares her interests.)
Este es el mejor café que he probado en mi vida. (This is the best coffee I have ever tried in my life.)
No encuentro a nadie que me preste dinero. (I can’t find anyone who will lend me money.)
Hay un hotel aquí que ofrece habitaciones baratas. (There is a hotel here that offers cheap rooms.)
Prefiero trabajar con personas que son responsables. (I prefer to work with people who are responsible.)
¿Conoces algún restaurante que sirva comida vegetariana? (Do you know any restaurant that serves vegetarian food?)
No hay nada en la tienda que me guste. (There is nothing in the store that I like.)
Es el único libro que me interesa leer. (It’s the only book that interests me to read.)
Espero encontrar un trabajo que me permita viajar. (I hope to find a job that allows me to travel.)
Esta es la chica que siempre me ayuda con las tareas. (This is the girl who always helps me with homework.)
No tengo amigos que vivan en otro país. (I don’t have any friends who live in another country.)
¿Sabes de alguien que pueda reparar mi ordenador? (Do you know someone who can repair my computer?)
Necesito hablar con la persona que es responsable del proyecto. (I need to speak with the person who is responsible for the project.)

Key Observations from the Answers:

✅ Indicative is used when referring to a specific, known, or existing person, place, or thing.
✅ Subjunctive is used when referring to something unknown, hypothetical, non-existent, or uncertain.
✅ Negative statements about existence almost always require subjunctive.
✅ Superlatives and exclusive statements tend to use subjunctive.

Summary: Key Takeaways

1. When to Use Indicative vs. Subjunctive in Relative Clauses

✅ Use Indicative when the noun is specific and known to exist.
✅ Use Subjunctive when the noun is unknown, hypothetical, or non-existent.

2. Common Usage Rules

✔ Indicative is used for factual, definite statements.
✔ Subjunctive is required in negative sentences where something does not exist.
✔ Yes/no questions use subjunctive if the answer is uncertain.
✔ Superlatives (“the best,” “the only”) usually require subjunctive.
✔ Expressions like “buscar” and “necesitar” use subjunctive if referring to something non-specific.

3. Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Incorrect: Quiero un coche que tiene asientos de cuero. (The car is unknown.)
✅ Correct: Quiero un coche que tenga asientos de cuero.

❌ Incorrect: No hay nadie que puede ayudarme. (Negative statement.)
✅ Correct: No hay nadie que pueda ayudarme.

❌ Incorrect: Es el mejor profesor que explica gramática. (Superlative.)
✅ Correct: Es el mejor profesor que explique gramática.

4. Quick Guide for Choosing Between Indicative & Subjunctive

Scenario	Use Indicative	Use Subjunctive
Person/Thing Exists	✅	❌
Person/Thing is Unknown	❌	✅
Negative Sentences (No hay nadie que… etc.)	❌	✅
Superlatives (el mejor, el único… etc.)	❌	✅
Hypothetical Descriptions (Necesito un libro que… etc.)	❌	✅

5. Practice Makes Perfect!

🔹 Pay close attention to context when choosing between indicative and subjunctive.
🔹 Practice with real sentences to develop a natural understanding of when to use each form.
🔹 Re-read the example sentences and try making your own!

Conclusion: Mastering Relative Clauses with Indicative and Subjunctive

Learning when to use indicative vs. subjunctive in relative clauses is a key step in mastering Spanish grammar. While it may seem tricky at first, understanding the difference between known vs. unknown, certain vs. hypothetical, and factual vs. subjective will make it much easier.

💡 Remember:

Use indicative when talking about something specific, real, or known to exist.
Use subjunctive when referring to something hypothetical, unknown, or non-existent.
Pay special attention to negative statements, superlatives, and uncertainty, as these often require subjunctive.

The best way to master this topic is through practice! Try writing your own sentences, completing exercises, and listening to real-life conversations to see how native speakers use these structures.

📢 What’s next?
➡️ Try the exercise above and check your answers!
➡️ Share your own example sentences in the comments—I’ll be happy to check them for you!
➡️ Follow my blog for more Spanish grammar tips, exercises, and language-learning strategies.

Happy learning! 😊

Mastering the Present Indicative Mode in Spanish (Regular verbs)

Present Perfect Tense (Pretérito Perfecto de Indicativo) in Spanish

Understanding the Present Subjunctive (Presente de Subjuntivo) in Spanish

Pretérito Pluscuamperfecto (Past Perfect) in Spanish

Pretérito Indefinido vs. Imperfecto – Usage and Contrast Between Two Types of Past Tense in Spanish

Simple Conditional (Condicional Simple) Tense/Mode in Spanish

Simple Future (Futuro Simple) Tense/Mode in Spanish

Tiempo Pretérito Perfecto Compuesto / Present Perfect Tense in Spanish

The Imperfect Subjunctive Tense in Spanish: Tiempo pretérito imperfecto de subjuntivo

Tiempo Futuro Compuesto / Future Perfect Tense in Spanish: A Comprehensive Guide

Master the Spanish Simple Conditional Tense: The Ultimate Expert Guide

Tiempo Condicional Compuesto: Conditional Perfect Tense in Spanish

How to Use the Present Perfect Subjunctive in Spanish: A Complete B2 Guide on Pretérito Perfecto de Subjuntivo

Past Perfect Subjunctive in Spanish: How to Use Pretérito Pluscuamperfecto de Subjuntivo with Examples and Easy Rules

April 2, 2025

Mastering Spanish Conditional Sentences: First, Second, and Third Conditionals Explained with Examples

Spanish Lessons

Conditional sentences are an essential part of Spanish grammar, allowing us to express possibilities, hypothetical situations, and cause-and-effect relationships. Whether you’re making simple statements, dreaming about the future, or imagining alternate realities, mastering first, second, and third conditional sentences will help you communicate fluently and accurately in Spanish.

In this guide, you’ll learn:

What conditional sentences are and how they work.
The different types: Type 1 (real conditions), Type 2 (hypothetical situations), and Type 3 (past hypotheticals).
How to form and use conditionals correctly in various situations.
Common mistakes and tricky exceptions to watch out for.
Practical examples and exercises to reinforce your learning.

By the end of this post, you’ll be able to form conditional sentences effortlessly and understand their nuances. Let’s dive in!

Common Expressions in Spanish Conditional Sentences

When using conditional sentences in Spanish, certain words and phrases commonly appear. These expressions help introduce conditions and indicate possible outcomes. Here are some of the most frequently used ones:

1. Common Words Used in Conditional Sentences

Si – If
Cuando – When (in some conditional cases)
Siempre que – As long as / Provided that
A menos que – Unless
En caso de que – In case
Con tal de que – As long as / Provided that
De no ser por – If it weren’t for
De haber sabido – If I had known

2. Common Sentence Starters for Conditionals

Here are some typical ways conditional sentences start:

✅ Si + present tense, then future tense

Si estudias, aprobarás el examen. (If you study, you will pass the exam.)

✅ Si + past subjunctive, then conditional tense

Si tuviera más dinero, viajaría por el mundo. (If I had more money, I would travel the world.)

✅ Si + past perfect subjunctive, then conditional perfect

Si hubieras llegado temprano, habríamos visto la película juntos. (If you had arrived early, we would have watched the movie together.)

3. Fixed Conditional Expressions in Spanish

Some Spanish conditional sentences follow set expressions that you will often hear in conversations:

Si Dios quiere… (If God wills it…)
Si yo fuera tú… (If I were you…)
Si mal no recuerdo… (If I remember correctly…)
Si no me equivoco… (If I’m not mistaken…)
Si no fuera por… (If it weren’t for…)
Si todo sale bien… (If everything goes well…)

These phrases are widely used in daily speech and can help you sound more natural when speaking Spanish.

Usage of Conditional Sentences in Spanish

Conditional sentences in Spanish are used to express different levels of possibility, probability, or hypothetical situations. The type of conditional used depends on whether the condition is real, unlikely, or impossible. Let’s break down the three main types of conditional sentences and when to use them.

1. First Conditional (Real Conditions in the Present or Future)

The first conditional is used when there is a real and possible situation in the present or future. It describes what will happen if a certain condition is met.

When to Use the First Conditional:

✅ To express possible future outcomes based on a condition:

Si estudias, aprobarás el examen.
(If you study, you will pass the exam.)

✅ To give warnings or advice:

Si no llevas abrigo, tendrás frío.
(If you don’t wear a coat, you will be cold.)

✅ To talk about rules or natural consequences:

Si calientas el agua a 100 grados, hierve.
(If you heat water to 100 degrees, it boils.)

2. Second Conditional (Hypothetical or Unreal Situations in the Present or Future)

The second conditional is used to talk about situations that are unlikely or purely hypothetical. It often expresses dreams, wishes, or hypothetical advice.

When to Use the Second Conditional:

✅ To describe imaginary or unlikely events:

Si tuviera más dinero, compraría una casa grande.
(If I had more money, I would buy a big house.)

✅ To give polite suggestions or advice:

Si yo fuera tú, hablaría con el profesor.
(If I were you, I would talk to the teacher.)

✅ To express desires or regrets:

Si pudiera viajar en el tiempo, iría al pasado.
(If I could travel in time, I would go to the past.)

3. Third Conditional (Unreal Past Situations & Regrets)

The third conditional is used to talk about past situations that did not happen and their imaginary consequences. It expresses regret or missed opportunities.

When to Use the Third Conditional:

✅ To talk about things that could have happened differently in the past:

Si hubieras estudiado más, habrías aprobado el examen.
(If you had studied more, you would have passed the exam.)

✅ To express regrets about past choices:

Si hubiera sabido la verdad, no habría dicho eso.
(If I had known the truth, I wouldn’t have said that.)

✅ To describe how things could have been different:

Si no hubiera llovido, habríamos ido a la playa.
(If it hadn’t rained, we would have gone to the beach.)

These three types of conditional sentences allow us to express different levels of possibility, probability, and hypothetical thinking in Spanish.

Conjugation Rules for Conditional Sentences in Spanish

Understanding how to conjugate verbs correctly is crucial when forming first, second, and third conditional sentences in Spanish. Each type follows a specific structure and verb tense. Let’s break them down step by step.

1. First Conditional: Present + Future

The first conditional uses the present indicative in the “if” clause and the future simple in the result clause.

Formula:

✅ Si + present indicative, then future simple

Conjugation Example (Hablar – To Speak):

Person	Si clause (Present Indicative)	Result clause (Future Simple)
Yo	Si hablo… (If I speak…)	hablaré… (I will speak…)
Tú	Si hablas… (If you speak…)	hablarás… (You will speak…)
Él/Ella/Usted	Si habla… (If he/she speaks…)	hablará… (He/she will speak…)
Nosotros	Si hablamos… (If we speak…)	hablaremos… (We will speak…)
Vosotros	Si habláis… (If you all speak…)	hablaréis… (You all will speak…)
Ellos/Ustedes	Si hablan… (If they speak…)	hablarán… (They will speak…)

Example Sentences:

Si estudias, aprobarás el examen. (If you study, you will pass the exam.)
Si llueve, no iremos a la playa. (If it rains, we won’t go to the beach.)

2. Second Conditional: Past Subjunctive + Conditional

The second conditional requires the past subjunctive in the “if” clause and the conditional tense in the result clause.

Formula:

✅ Si + past subjunctive, then conditional

Conjugation Example (Tener – To Have):

Person	Si clause (Past Subjunctive)	Result clause (Conditional)
Yo	Si tuviera… (If I had…)	tendría… (I would have…)
Tú	Si tuvieras… (If you had…)	tendrías… (You would have…)
Él/Ella/Usted	Si tuviera… (If he/she had…)	tendría… (He/she would have…)
Nosotros	Si tuviéramos… (If we had…)	tendríamos… (We would have…)
Vosotros	Si tuvierais… (If you all had…)	tendríais… (You all would have…)
Ellos/Ustedes	Si tuvieran… (If they had…)	tendrían… (They would have…)

Example Sentences:

Si tuviera dinero, viajaría a España. (If I had money, I would travel to Spain.)
Si fueras más paciente, aprenderías mejor. (If you were more patient, you would learn better.)

3. Third Conditional: Past Perfect Subjunctive + Conditional Perfect

The third conditional is formed with the past perfect subjunctive in the “if” clause and the conditional perfect in the result clause.

Formula:

✅ Si + past perfect subjunctive, then conditional perfect

Conjugation Example (Ser – To Be):

Person	Si clause (Past Perfect Subjunctive)	Result clause (Conditional Perfect)
Yo	Si hubiera sido… (If I had been…)	habría sido… (I would have been…)
Tú	Si hubieras sido… (If you had been…)	habrías sido… (You would have been…)
Él/Ella/Usted	Si hubiera sido… (If he/she had been…)	habría sido… (He/she would have been…)
Nosotros	Si hubiéramos sido… (If we had been…)	habríamos sido… (We would have been…)
Vosotros	Si hubierais sido… (If you all had been…)	habríais sido… (You all would have been…)
Ellos/Ustedes	Si hubieran sido… (If they had been…)	habrían sido… (They would have been…)

Example Sentences:

Si hubieras estudiado más, habrías aprobado el examen. (If you had studied more, you would have passed the exam.)
Si me hubieras llamado, habría venido antes. (If you had called me, I would have come earlier.)

Now that we’ve covered conjugation rules, the next section will explain grammar rules in detail to ensure you use these conditionals correctly.

Grammar Rules for Conditional Sentences in Spanish

Understanding the structure of conditional sentences is essential to using them correctly. While we’ve already covered conjugation, let’s now dive into important grammar rules that govern how conditional sentences work in Spanish.

1. Structure of Conditional Sentences

Each conditional sentence consists of two clauses:

The “Si” Clause (Condition) → Expresses the condition.
The Main Clause (Result) → Expresses the result if the condition is met.

Basic Sentence Patterns

First Conditional:
- Si + present tense, future tense
- Si estudias, aprobarás el examen. (If you study, you will pass the exam.)
Second Conditional:
- Si + past subjunctive, conditional tense
- Si tuviera dinero, viajaría por el mundo. (If I had money, I would travel the world.)
Third Conditional:
- Si + past perfect subjunctive, conditional perfect tense
- Si hubieras venido, te habrías divertido. (If you had come, you would have had fun.)

2. Word Order in Conditional Sentences

The order of the clauses can change without altering the meaning.
✅ Si clause first: Si practicas, mejorarás tu español. (If you practice, you will improve your Spanish.)
✅ Result clause first: Mejorarás tu español si practicas. (You will improve your Spanish if you practice.)

🚨 Important: When the “si” clause comes first, a comma is needed. When it comes second, no comma is required.

3. Conditional Sentences Without “Si”

Although “si” (if) is the most common way to introduce a conditional sentence, other expressions can be used instead:

✅ De + infinitive (For hypothetical conditions in second and third conditionals)

De tener tiempo, te ayudaría. (If I had time, I would help you.)

✅ Como + subjunctive (For warnings or threats – equivalent to “If you ever…”)

Como llegues tarde otra vez, te despedirán. (If you ever arrive late again, they will fire you.)

✅ A menos que + subjunctive (Unless…)

No saldré a menos que deje de llover. (I won’t go out unless it stops raining.)

4. The Use of “Cuando” Instead of “Si” in First Conditional

In the first conditional, “cuando” (when) can sometimes replace “si” (if), but only if we are talking about something that will definitely happen in the future.

✅ Cuando termine la reunión, te llamaré. (When the meeting ends, I will call you.)
❌ Cuando tuviera más dinero, viajaría más. (Incorrect – second conditional cannot use “cuando”)

5. “Si” Never Uses the Future or Conditional in the Condition Clause

One of the most common mistakes learners make is using the future or conditional tense after “si” in the condition clause.

🚨 Incorrect:
❌ Si tendrás tiempo, llámame. (If you will have time, call me.)
🚀 Correct:
✅ Si tienes tiempo, llámame. (If you have time, call me.)

🚨 Incorrect:
❌ Si tendría dinero, compraría un coche. (If I would have money, I would buy a car.)
🚀 Correct:
✅ Si tuviera dinero, compraría un coche. (If I had money, I would buy a car.)

Now that we’ve covered the grammar rules, the next section will highlight tricky points and exceptions that you need to keep in mind.

Things to Keep in Mind: Tricky Points and Exceptions

While conditional sentences in Spanish follow clear patterns, there are tricky points, irregularities, and exceptions that learners should be aware of. Let’s go over these carefully.

1. The Present Indicative Can Sometimes Replace the Future in First Conditional Sentences

In spoken Spanish, it’s common to use the present indicative in both clauses instead of the future tense, even when talking about the future.

✅ Standard First Conditional (With Future Tense):

Si estudias, aprobarás el examen. (If you study, you will pass the exam.)

✅ Alternative (Using Present Indicative in Both Clauses):

Si estudias, apruebas el examen. (If you study, you pass the exam.)

Both are correct, but the second is more natural in conversation.

2. The Second Conditional Sometimes Uses “Imperfect Indicative” Instead of “Past Subjunctive”

In some Spanish-speaking countries (especially in Latin America), imperfect indicative is sometimes used instead of past subjunctive in the second conditional.

✅ Standard:

Si tú fueras más alto, jugarías baloncesto. (If you were taller, you would play basketball.)

✅ Alternative (Common in Latin America):

Si tú eras más alto, jugabas baloncesto. (If you were taller, you would play basketball.)

🚀 Note: The first version (with past subjunctive) is grammatically correct in formal Spanish. The second version is considered colloquial.

3. The Third Conditional Can Sometimes Use the Simple Conditional Instead of Conditional Perfect

In spoken Spanish, some people simplify the third conditional by replacing the conditional perfect with the simple conditional (though this is not always grammatically correct).

✅ Standard Third Conditional (Using Conditional Perfect):

Si hubieras estudiado, habrías aprobado el examen. (If you had studied, you would have passed the exam.)

🚨 Colloquial Alternative (Less Formal, Less Accurate):

Si hubieras estudiado, aprobabas el examen. (If you had studied, you would pass the exam.)

This structure is common in casual speech but should be avoided in formal writing.

4. Some Irregular Verbs in Conditional Sentences

Some verbs have irregular forms in the future and conditional tenses. Since the first and second conditionals rely on these tenses, it’s important to recognize them.

✅ Common Irregular Verbs in the Future & Conditional Tenses:

Infinitive	Future (Yo Form)	Conditional (Yo Form)
Tener (to have)	Tendré	Tendría
Hacer (to do/make)	Haré	Haría
Decir (to say/tell)	Diré	Diría
Poder (to be able to)	Podré	Podría
Venir (to come)	Vendré	Vendría
Querer (to want)	Querré	Querría

Example Sentences:

Si tengo dinero, compraré un coche. (If I have money, I will buy a car.)
Si tuviera dinero, compraría un coche. (If I had money, I would buy a car.)
Si hubiera tenido dinero, habría comprado un coche. (If I had had money, I would have bought a car.)

5. “Como Si” Always Uses the Past Subjunctive

The phrase “como si” (as if) always triggers the past subjunctive, even if the meaning is in the present.

✅ Correct:

Me mira como si fuera un extraterrestre. (He looks at me as if I were an alien.)
Habla como si supiera todo. (He speaks as if he knew everything.)

🚨 Incorrect:
❌ Me mira como si es un extraterrestre.

6. The Difference Between “Si No” and “Sino”

🚀 “Si no” (two words) means “if not.”

Si no estudias, no aprobarás. (If you don’t study, you won’t pass.)

🚀 “Sino” (one word) means “but rather”

No quiero café, sino té. (I don’t want coffee, but rather tea.)

Many Spanish learners confuse these, so it’s important to remember the difference!

Now that we’ve covered these tricky points, the next section will focus on common mistakes learners make and how to avoid them.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced learners make mistakes with first, second, and third conditional sentences in Spanish. Let’s go over the most frequent errors and how to correct them.

1. Using the Future or Conditional in the “Si” Clause

🚨 Mistake:
❌ Si tendrás tiempo, llámame. (If you will have time, call me.)
❌ Si tendría dinero, compraría un coche. (If I would have money, I would buy a car.)

🚀 Correction:
✅ Si tienes tiempo, llámame. (If you have time, call me.)
✅ Si tuviera dinero, compraría un coche. (If I had money, I would buy a car.)

📌 Rule: The “si” clause never takes the future or conditional tense. It must always use the present indicative (first conditional) or past subjunctive (second conditional).

2. Confusing “Si” (If) with “Sí” (Yes)

🚨 Mistake:
❌ Sí tienes hambre, come algo. (Yes you are hungry, eat something.)

🚀 Correction:
✅ Si tienes hambre, come algo. (If you are hungry, eat something.)

📌 Rule: Si (without an accent) means “if.” Sí (with an accent) means “yes.”

3. Forgetting to Use the Past Subjunctive in the Second Conditional

🚨 Mistake:
❌ Si tengo más dinero, viajaría a España. (If I have more money, I would travel to Spain.)

🚀 Correction:
✅ Si tuviera más dinero, viajaría a España. (If I had more money, I would travel to Spain.)

📌 Rule: The past subjunctive must be used in the “si” clause of a second conditional sentence.

4. Incorrect Word Order

🚨 Mistake:
❌ Si aprobarás el examen estudias. (If you will pass the exam, you study.)

🚀 Correction:
✅ Si estudias, aprobarás el examen. (If you study, you will pass the exam.)

📌 Rule: Condition comes first, result follows. Word order can be reversed, but verb tenses must stay correct.

5. Misusing the Third Conditional

🚨 Mistake:
❌ Si estudiabas más, habrías aprobado el examen. (If you studied more, you would have passed the exam.)

🚀 Correction:
✅ Si hubieras estudiado más, habrías aprobado el examen. (If you had studied more, you would have passed the exam.)

📌 Rule: The third conditional requires the past perfect subjunctive (hubieras + past participle) in the “si” clause.

6. Not Using a Comma When the “Si” Clause Comes First

🚨 Mistake:
❌ Si practicas mejorarás tu español. (If you practice you will improve your Spanish.)

🚀 Correction:
✅ Si practicas, mejorarás tu español. (If you practice, you will improve your Spanish.)

📌 Rule: When the “si” clause comes first, a comma is needed before the main clause.

7. Mixing Up “Si No” and “Sino”

🚨 Mistake:
❌ Si no quieres café, sino té. (If not you want coffee, but rather tea.)

🚀 Correction:
✅ Si no quieres café, toma té. (If you don’t want coffee, have tea.)
✅ No quiero café, sino té. (I don’t want coffee, but rather tea.)

📌 Rule:

Si no (two words) means “if not”
Sino (one word) means “but rather”

8. Incorrectly Using “Como Si” with the Indicative Instead of the Subjunctive

🚨 Mistake:
❌ Habla como si sabe todo. (He talks as if he knows everything.)

🚀 Correction:
✅ Habla como si supiera todo. (He talks as if he knew everything.)

📌 Rule: “Como si” always requires the past subjunctive.

9. Overusing “Si” When Other Structures Work Better

🚨 Mistake:
❌ Si no me llamas, estaré preocupado. (If you don’t call me, I will be worried.)

🚀 Alternative:
✅ A menos que me llames, estaré preocupado. (Unless you call me, I will be worried.)

📌 Tip: Instead of always using “si,” try alternatives like “a menos que” (unless), “de” + infinitive, or “como” for variety and accuracy.

10. Translating Directly from English

🚨 Mistake:
❌ Si hubiera sido tú, no haría eso. (If I had been you, I wouldn’t do that.)

🚀 Correction:
✅ Si yo fuera tú, no haría eso. (If I were you, I wouldn’t do that.)

📌 Rule: Spanish does not use the past perfect subjunctive (“hubiera sido”) in hypothetical identity situations. The past subjunctive (“fuera”) is correct.

Example Sentences: First, Second, and Third Conditional in Spanish

Below are 20 example sentences demonstrating the first, second, and third conditionals in Spanish. Each example includes the English translation to help you understand the structure and meaning.

🔹 First Conditional (Si + Present Indicative → Future/Imperative/Present)

Used for real or likely situations in the present or future.

Si estudias, aprobarás el examen. (If you study, you will pass the exam.)
Si me llamas, iré contigo. (If you call me, I will go with you.)
Si llueve, llevaremos paraguas. (If it rains, we will take umbrellas.)
Si tienes hambre, come algo. (If you are hungry, eat something.)
Si trabajas duro, tendrás éxito. (If you work hard, you will succeed.)

🔹 Second Conditional (Si + Past Subjunctive → Conditional)

Used for hypothetical or unlikely situations in the present or future.

Si tuviera más dinero, viajaría por el mundo. (If I had more money, I would travel the world.)
Si fueras más paciente, te iría mejor. (If you were more patient, things would go better for you.)
Si supiera cocinar, haría una cena deliciosa. (If I knew how to cook, I would make a delicious dinner.)
Si vivieras en España, hablarías español perfectamente. (If you lived in Spain, you would speak Spanish perfectly.)
Si no hiciera tanto frío, saldríamos a caminar. (If it weren’t so cold, we would go for a walk.)

🔹 Third Conditional (Si + Past Perfect Subjunctive → Conditional Perfect)

Used for impossible past situations (things that didn’t happen).

Si hubieras estudiado, habrías aprobado el examen. (If you had studied, you would have passed the exam.)
Si me hubieras avisado antes, habría llegado a tiempo. (If you had warned me earlier, I would have arrived on time.)
Si no hubiéramos perdido el tren, habríamos llegado más rápido. (If we hadn’t missed the train, we would have arrived faster.)
Si hubieras escuchado, no habrías cometido el error. (If you had listened, you wouldn’t have made the mistake.)
Si hubiéramos ahorrado dinero, habríamos comprado una casa. (If we had saved money, we would have bought a house.)

🔹 Mixed Conditionals (Combining Second & Third Conditional)

Used for past situations with present/future consequences.

Si hubiera estudiado medicina, ahora sería doctor. (If I had studied medicine, I would be a doctor now.)
Si no hubieras perdido tu pasaporte, estarías en París ahora. (If you hadn’t lost your passport, you would be in Paris now.)
Si hubiera nacido en Italia, hablaría italiano perfectamente. (If I had been born in Italy, I would speak Italian perfectly.)
Si hubieras entrenado más, jugarías en el equipo profesional. (If you had trained more, you would be playing on the professional team.)
Si hubiera tomado el tren temprano, no llegaría tarde ahora. (If I had taken the early train, I wouldn’t be late now.)

💡 Key Takeaways:

First conditional = Real situations → Present + Future.
Second conditional = Hypothetical present/future → Past subjunctive + Conditional.
Third conditional = Impossible past → Past perfect subjunctive + Conditional perfect.
Mixed conditional = Past situations affecting the present.

Exercise: Fill in the Blanks with the Correct Conditional Form

Below are 20 fill-in-the-blank sentences to test your understanding of first, second, and third conditional sentences in Spanish. Try to complete each sentence with the correct verb form!

💡 Instructions:

Try to complete the blanks using the correct verb form.
Pay attention to whether it is a first, second, third, or mixed conditional sentence.
If needed, review the grammar rules before answering.

🔹 First Conditional (Si + Present Indicative → Future/Imperative/Present)

Si __________ (tener) tiempo, te ayudaré con la tarea. (If I have time, I will help you with the homework.)
Si no __________ (estudiar), no aprobarás el examen. (If you don’t study, you won’t pass the exam.)
Si __________ (llover), llevaremos un paraguas. (If it rains, we will take an umbrella.)
Si __________ (llegar) temprano, podremos elegir los mejores asientos. (If we arrive early, we will be able to choose the best seats.)
Si __________ (hacer) calor, iremos a la playa. (If it’s hot, we will go to the beach.)

🔹 Second Conditional (Si + Past Subjunctive → Conditional)

Si __________ (tener) más dinero, viajaría por el mundo. (If I had more money, I would travel the world.)
Si __________ (poder) hablar francés, trabajaría en París. (If I could speak French, I would work in Paris.)
Si tú __________ (ser) más amable, tendrías más amigos. (If you were kinder, you would have more friends.)
Si ellos __________ (vivir) en España, hablarían español perfectamente. (If they lived in Spain, they would speak Spanish perfectly.)
Si __________ (haber) menos tráfico, llegaríamos a tiempo. (If there were less traffic, we would arrive on time.)

🔹 Third Conditional (Si + Past Perfect Subjunctive → Conditional Perfect)

Si __________ (saber) que venías, te habría esperado en la estación. (If I had known you were coming, I would have waited for you at the station.)
Si __________ (escuchar) a mi madre, no habría cometido ese error. (If I had listened to my mother, I wouldn’t have made that mistake.)
Si nosotros __________ (tomar) el tren temprano, habríamos llegado antes. (If we had taken the early train, we would have arrived earlier.)
Si ellos __________ (estudiar) más, habrían aprobado el examen. (If they had studied more, they would have passed the exam.)
Si tú __________ (haber) practicado más, habrías jugado mejor. (If you had practiced more, you would have played better.)

🔹 Mixed Conditionals (Combining Second & Third Conditional)

Si __________ (nacer) en Italia, hablaría italiano perfectamente. (If I had been born in Italy, I would speak Italian perfectly.)
Si tú __________ (estudiar) más en la universidad, ahora tendrías un mejor trabajo. (If you had studied more at university, you would have a better job now.)
Si ellos __________ (haber) ahorrado dinero, ahora podrían comprar una casa. (If they had saved money, they could buy a house now.)
Si __________ (haber) entrenado más, jugaría en el equipo profesional. (If I had trained more, I would be playing on the professional team.)
Si tú __________ (haber) llegado a tiempo, no estarías tan estresado ahora. (If you had arrived on time, you wouldn’t be so stressed now.)

Answers

Let’s see how many yo got Right.

🔹 First Conditional (Si + Present Indicative → Future/Imperative/Present)

Si tengo tiempo, te ayudaré con la tarea. (If I have time, I will help you with the homework.)
Si no estudias, no aprobarás el examen. (If you don’t study, you won’t pass the exam.)
Si llueve, llevaremos un paraguas. (If it rains, we will take an umbrella.)
Si llegamos temprano, podremos elegir los mejores asientos. (If we arrive early, we will be able to choose the best seats.)
Si hace calor, iremos a la playa. (If it’s hot, we will go to the beach.)

🔹 Second Conditional (Si + Past Subjunctive → Conditional)

Si tuviera más dinero, viajaría por el mundo. (If I had more money, I would travel the world.)
Si pudiera hablar francés, trabajaría en París. (If I could speak French, I would work in Paris.)
Si tú fueras más amable, tendrías más amigos. (If you were kinder, you would have more friends.)
Si ellos vivieran en España, hablarían español perfectamente. (If they lived in Spain, they would speak Spanish perfectly.)
Si hubiera menos tráfico, llegaríamos a tiempo. (If there were less traffic, we would arrive on time.)

🔹 Third Conditional (Si + Past Perfect Subjunctive → Conditional Perfect)

Si hubiera sabido que venías, te habría esperado en la estación. (If I had known you were coming, I would have waited for you at the station.)
Si hubiera escuchado a mi madre, no habría cometido ese error. (If I had listened to my mother, I wouldn’t have made that mistake.)
Si nosotros hubiéramos tomado el tren temprano, habríamos llegado antes. (If we had taken the early train, we would have arrived earlier.)
Si ellos hubieran estudiado más, habrían aprobado el examen. (If they had studied more, they would have passed the exam.)
Si tú hubieras practicado más, habrías jugado mejor. (If you had practiced more, you would have played better.)

🔹 Mixed Conditionals (Combining Second & Third Conditional)

Si hubiera nacido en Italia, hablaría italiano perfectamente. (If I had been born in Italy, I would speak Italian perfectly.)
Si tú hubieras estudiado más en la universidad, ahora tendrías un mejor trabajo. (If you had studied more at university, you would have a better job now.)
Si ellos hubieran ahorrado dinero, ahora podrían comprar una casa. (If they had saved money, they could buy a house now.)
Si hubiera entrenado más, jugaría en el equipo profesional. (If I had trained more, I would be playing on the professional team.)
Si tú hubieras llegado a tiempo, no estarías tan estresado ahora. (If you had arrived on time, you wouldn’t be so stressed now.)

Summary: Key Takeaways on Conditional Sentences in Spanish

✔ First Conditional (Real Situations)

Structure: Si + present indicative → future/imperative/present
Used for possible or likely future events.

✔ Second Conditional (Hypothetical Situations)

Structure: Si + past subjunctive → conditional
Used for imaginary or unlikely situations in the present or future.

✔ Third Conditional (Impossible Past Situations)

Structure: Si + past perfect subjunctive → conditional perfect
Used for events that could have happened but didn’t.

✔ Mixed Conditionals (Past Events Affecting Present/Future)

Combine second and third conditionals.
Used when a past event influences a present or future outcome.

✔ Key Grammar Rules:

Verb tenses must agree with each conditional type.
No future tense after “si” in first conditionals.
Use subjunctive in second and third conditionals.

✔ Common Mistakes to Avoid:

Using the future tense after “si” in first conditionals.
Forgetting to use the subjunctive in second and third conditionals.
Mixing up past and present tenses in mixed conditionals.

Conclusion: Master Conditional Sentences in Spanish!

Understanding first, second, and third conditional sentences in Spanish is essential for expressing real possibilities, hypothetical situations, and past regrets. These structures allow you to speak more naturally, express complex ideas, and improve fluency in Spanish.

👉Want to master Spanish: Check out more Spanish lessons here

Now that you’ve learned the rules, practice is key! Try forming your own conditional sentences, complete the exercises, and apply them in conversations. The more you use them, the more confident you’ll become.

🚀 Start using conditionals today and take your Spanish to the next level!

Happy learning! 😊

Mastering the Present Indicative Mode in Spanish (Regular verbs)

Present Perfect Tense (Pretérito Perfecto de Indicativo) in Spanish

Understanding the Present Subjunctive (Presente de Subjuntivo) in Spanish

Pretérito Pluscuamperfecto (Past Perfect) in Spanish

Pretérito Indefinido vs. Imperfecto – Usage and Contrast Between Two Types of Past Tense in Spanish

Simple Conditional (Condicional Simple) Tense/Mode in Spanish

Simple Future (Futuro Simple) Tense/Mode in Spanish

Tiempo Pretérito Perfecto Compuesto / Present Perfect Tense in Spanish

The Imperfect Subjunctive Tense in Spanish: Tiempo pretérito imperfecto de subjuntivo

Tiempo Futuro Compuesto / Future Perfect Tense in Spanish: A Comprehensive Guide

Master the Spanish Simple Conditional Tense: The Ultimate Expert Guide

Tiempo Condicional Compuesto: Conditional Perfect Tense in Spanish

How to Use the Present Perfect Subjunctive in Spanish: A Complete B2 Guide on Pretérito Perfecto de Subjuntivo

Past Perfect Subjunctive in Spanish: How to Use Pretérito Pluscuamperfecto de Subjuntivo with Examples and Easy Rules

March 28, 2025

Master the Spanish Simple Conditional Tense: The Ultimate Expert Guide

The Simple Conditional Tense

The simple conditional tense (tiempo condicional simple) is a cornerstone of Spanish fluency, enabling you to express hypothetical scenarios, polite requests, and nuanced future intentions. Whether imagining winning the lottery (ganaría la lotería) or politely asking for assistance (¿Podría ayudarme?), this tense is indispensable. In this ultimate guide, we’ll dive deep into its formation, uses, and little-known secrets, while addressing advanced topics like the conditional perfect and regional variations. Don’t miss out—your journey to unstoppable mastery starts here!

What is the Simple Conditional Tense?

The conditional tense is used for:

Hypothetical actions: Viajaría por el mundo si tuviera dinero. (I’d travel the world if I had money.)
Polite requests: ¿Podría pasar la sal? (Could you pass the salt?)
Future actions from a past perspective: Dijo que estudiaría. (He said he would study.)
Softening opinions: Yo no haría eso. (I wouldn’t do that.)

This game-changer tense bridges the gap between basic and advanced communication.

Formation: Regular and Irregular Verbs

Regular Verbs

Add -ía, -ías, -ía, -íamos, -íais, -ían to the infinitive:

Hablar → Hablaría, hablarías, hablaría…
Comer → Comería, comerías, comería…

Irregular Verbs

Irregular stems replace the infinitive before adding conditional endings:

Decir → Dir- (Diría, dirías…)
Hacer → Har- (Haría, harías…)
Poder → Podr- (Podría, podrías…)
Tener → Tendr-
Venir → Vendr-
Salir → Saldr-
Saber → Sabr-
Querer → Querr-
Poner → Pondr-
Valer → Valdr-
Caber → Cabr-
Haber → Habr-

Warning: Forgetting these stems is a very common mistake for learners!

When to Use the Conditional Tense: Proven Rules

Hypotheticals with Si Clauses:

Si tuviera tiempo, te ayudaría. (If I had time, I’d help you.)
Avoid the worst-ever mistake: Never use the conditional in the si clause (Si tendría… ❌).

Polite Requests:

¿Me harías el favor de acompañarme? (Would you do me the favor of joining me?)

Future-in-the-Past:

Prometí que llamaría. (I promised I’d call.)

Speculation About the Past:

Serían las ocho cuando llegó. (It must have been eight when he arrived.)

Example Sentences

Me encantaría visitar España. (I’d love to visit Spain.)
¿Podrías explicarlo de nuevo? (Could you explain it again?)
Ellos comprarían una casa más grande. (They’d buy a bigger house.)
En tu lugar, yo hablaría con él. (In your place, I’d talk to him.)
Dijo que vendría a las siete. (He said he’d come at seven.)
Nunca diría eso de ti. (I’d never say that about you.)
¿Qué harías si fueras presidente? (What would you do if you were president?)
Llovería mañana según el pronóstico. (It would rain tomorrow according to the forecast.)
Tendríamos más tiempo si saliéramos temprano. (We’d have more time if we left early.)
Sabrías la respuesta si estudiaras. (You’d know the answer if you studied.)

10 Fill-in-the-Blanks Exercises

Test your skills with these must-know questions:

Yo __ (viajar) a Japón si tuviera dinero.
¿Tú __ (ayudar) a tu vecino?
Ellos __ (decir) la verdad si pudieran.
Nosotros __ (comprar) un coche nuevo.
¿Usted __ (poder) repetir la pregunta?
Mi hermana __ (estudiar) medicina si le gustara.
Si tuviera alas, yo __ (volar) alto.
Vosotros __ (venir) a la fiesta, ¿no?
Los estudiantes __ (aprender) más con práctica.
Ella __ (ser) una gran líder.

Answers:

viajaría | 2. ayudarías | 3. dirían | 4. compraríamos | 5. podría | 6. estudiaría | 7. volaría | 8. vendríais | 9. aprenderían | 10. sería

Common Mistakes: A Warning

Mixing tenses: Si tendría dinero, viajaría. ❌ → Si tuviera dinero, viajaría. ✅
Ignoring irregular stems: Hacer → Haría (not hacería).

Beware: These errors can derail your fluency!

Pro Tips for Next-Level Mastery

Practice Hypotheticals: Imagine absurd scenarios (e.g., ¿Qué harías si fueras invisible?).
Use Conditional Perfect: Habría viajado si hubiera tenido tiempo. (I would have traveled if I’d had time.)
Master Polite Phrases: Swap ¿Puedes? with ¿Podrías? for a heartwarming tone.

Summary

Formation
Regular Verbs: Add -ía, -ías, -ía, -íamos, -íais, -ían to the infinitive (e.g., hablar → hablaría).
Irregular Verbs: Memorize 12 shocking stems like decir → dir-, hacer → har-, and tener → tendr-.
Core Uses
Hypothetical scenarios: Si tuviera dinero, viajaría. (If I had money, I’d travel.)
Polite requests: ¿Podría ayudarme? (Could you help me?)
Future-in-the-past: Dijo que estudiaría. (He said he’d study.)
Softening advice: Yo en tu lugar, lo haría. (In your place, I’d do it.)
Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Never use the conditional in si clauses: Si tendría… → Si tuviera… ✅
❌ Ignoring irregular stems (e.g., hacería ❌ → haría ✅).
Pro Tips for Success
Practice absurd hypotheticals: ¿Qué harías si fueras invisible? (What would you do if you were invisible?)
Use the conditional perfect (habría + past participle) for past hypotheticals: Habría ganado… (I would have won…).
Swap ¿Puedes? for ¿Podrías? to sound ultra-polite.
Advanced Mastery
Conditional Perfect: Hypothetical past actions (Habríamos viajado…).
Cultural Nuances: Spain prefers ¿Podría…?; Latin America uses ¿Me harías el favor…?
Pronunciation: Stress -ía endings (e.g., hablarÍA).
Writing Prompts: ¿Qué harías con un millón de dólares? (What would you do with a million dollars?)
Final Takeaway
This tense is a game-changer for fluency—master it with practice, cultural awareness, and expert-approved strategies.
Turn hypotheticals into reality: Start speaking like a legendary Spanish speaker today!

¡Hasta pronto!

Conclusion: Your Path to Legendary Fluency

With this exclusive guide, you’ve unlocked the secret strategies to conquer the Spanish conditional tense. From irregular verbs to cultural subtleties, you’re now equipped to speak with unshakeable confidence. Before it’s too late, start practicing today—your success story begins now!

¡Hasta pronto!

Happy learning! 😊

Mastering the Present Indicative Mode in Spanish (Regular verbs)

Present Perfect Tense (Pretérito Perfecto de Indicativo) in Spanish

Understanding the Present Subjunctive (Presente de Subjuntivo) in Spanish

Pretérito Pluscuamperfecto (Past Perfect) in Spanish

Pretérito Indefinido vs. Imperfecto – Usage and Contrast Between Two Types of Past Tense in Spanish

Simple Conditional (Condicional Simple) Tense/Mode in Spanish

Simple Future (Futuro Simple) Tense/Mode in Spanish

Tiempo Pretérito Perfecto Compuesto / Present Perfect Tense in Spanish

The Imperfect Subjunctive Tense in Spanish: Tiempo pretérito imperfecto de subjuntivo

Tiempo Futuro Compuesto / Future Perfect Tense in Spanish: A Comprehensive Guide

Master the Spanish Simple Conditional Tense: The Ultimate Expert Guide

Tiempo Condicional Compuesto: Conditional Perfect Tense in Spanish

How to Use the Present Perfect Subjunctive in Spanish: A Complete B2 Guide on Pretérito Perfecto de Subjuntivo

Past Perfect Subjunctive in Spanish: How to Use Pretérito Pluscuamperfecto de Subjuntivo with Examples and Easy Rules

March 7, 2025

Mastering the Passive Reflexive ‘Se’ in Spanish

The passive reflexive ‘se’ is one of the most versatile and commonly used constructions in the Spanish language. It allows speakers to express actions in a way that emphasizes the action itself rather than who is performing it. This structure is particularly useful when the subject is unknown, irrelevant, or generalized. For example, instead of saying “Someone sells fruits here,” you can say “Se venden frutas aquí,” which translates to “Fruits are sold here.”

Understanding the passive reflexive ‘se’ is essential for achieving fluency in Spanish, as it appears frequently in both spoken and written language.

In this blog post, we’ll explore its usage, conjugation, common expressions, and everything you need to know to master this grammatical structure.

Common Expressions Using Passive Reflexive

The passive reflexive ‘se’ is used in many everyday expressions. Here’s a list of common ones:

Se habla español – Spanish is spoken.
Se venden casas – Houses are sold.
Se necesita ayuda – Help is needed.
Se prohíbe fumar – Smoking is prohibited.
Se permite estacionar – Parking is allowed.
Se dice que… – It is said that…
Se recomienda reservar – It is recommended to book.
Se ofrecen clases – Classes are offered.
Se busca empleado – Employee wanted.
Se alquila apartamento – Apartment for rent.

These expressions are widely used in signs, advertisements, and general conversation.

Things to Keep in Mind

When using the passive reflexive ‘se,’ there are a few key points to remember:

Articles and Agreement: The verb must agree in number (singular or plural) with the subject. For example:
- Se vende la casa (The house is sold) – Singular.
- Se venden las casas (The houses are sold) – Plural.
Gender Agreement: While the verb doesn’t change for gender, the noun or adjective accompanying it does. For example:
- Se venden camisas rojas (Red shirts are sold).
No Specific Subject: The passive reflexive ‘se’ is used when the subject performing the action is either unknown or unimportant.
Avoiding Redundancy: Unlike English, Spanish often omits the subject entirely when using the passive reflexive. For example, instead of saying “Se venden las manzanas por alguien” (Apples are sold by someone), simply say “Se venden las manzanas.”

When to Use the Passive Reflexive ‘Se’

The passive reflexive ‘se’ is used in the following situations:

General Statements: When making broad or general statements.
- Se come bien en México (People eat well in Mexico).
Impersonal Actions: When the subject is unknown or irrelevant.
- Se construyó este edificio en 1990 (This building was built in 1990).
Instructions or Warnings: In signs, manuals, or public notices.
- Se prohíbe el paso (No entry allowed).
Advertising or Offers: To promote products or services.
- Se venden coches usados (Used cars for sale).

Conjugation of Regular Verbs in Passive Reflexive

The passive reflexive ‘se’ is formed by combining the pronoun ‘se’ with the third-person singular or plural form of the verb, depending on the subject. Here’s how it works for regular verbs:

1. -AR Verbs

Hablar (to speak): Se habla / Se hablan
- Se habla español aquí (Spanish is spoken here).
- Se hablan muchos idiomas (Many languages are spoken).

2. -ER Verbs

Vender (to sell): Se vende / Se venden
- Se vende la casa (The house is sold).
- Se venden libros (Books are sold).

3. -IR Verbs

Abrir (to open): Se abre / Se abren
- Se abre la tienda a las 9 (The store opens at 9).
- Se abren las ventanas (The windows are opened).

Irregular Verbs and Their Conjugation

Some irregular verbs also follow the passive reflexive structure. Here are a few examples:

Hacer (to do/make): Se hace / Se hacen
- Se hace el trabajo (The work is done).
- Se hacen pasteles (Cakes are made).
Decir (to say): Se dice / Se dicen
- Se dice que es verdad (It is said to be true).
- Se dicen muchas cosas (Many things are said).
Poner (to put): Se pone / Se ponen
- Se pone la mesa (The table is set).
- Se ponen los libros aquí (The books are put here).

10 Regular Verbs in Passive Reflexive Form

Verb	Example Sentence 1	Example Sentence 2
Hablar	Se habla español aquí. (Spanish is spoken here.)	Se hablan muchos idiomas. (Many languages are spoken.)
Vender	Se vende la casa. (The house is sold.)	Se venden coches usados. (Used cars are sold.)
Abrir	Se abre la puerta. (The door is opened.)	Se abren las ventanas. (The windows are opened.)
Comer	Se come bien en este restaurante. (People eat well at this restaurant.)	Se comen las manzanas. (The apples are eaten.)
Escribir	Se escribe una carta. (A letter is written.)	Se escriben libros interesantes. (Interesting books are written.)
Leer	Se lee el periódico. (The newspaper is read.)	Se leen muchos libros. (Many books are read.)
Cerrar	Se cierra la tienda. (The store is closed.)	Se cierran las ventanas. (The windows are closed.)
Comprar	Se compra pan fresco. (Fresh bread is bought.)	Se compran regalos. (Gifts are bought.)
Limpiar	Se limpia la casa. (The house is cleaned.)	Se limpian los platos. (The dishes are cleaned.)
Usar	Se usa el teléfono. (The phone is used.)	Se usan computadoras. (Computers are used.)

More Example Sentences

Se venden flores en el mercado. (Flowers are sold at the market.)
Se necesita paciencia. (Patience is needed.)
Se construyen casas nuevas. (New houses are built.)
Se habla mucho de política. (Politics is talked about a lot.)
Se permite nadar aquí. (Swimming is allowed here.)
Se ofrecen descuentos. (Discounts are offered.)
Se busca un perro perdido. (A lost dog is being searched for.)
Se alquilan bicicletas. (Bicycles are rented.)
Se recomienda llegar temprano. (It is recommended to arrive early.)
Se dice que va a llover. (It is said that it will rain.)

Fill in the Blanks

Se _______ (vender) frutas en el mercado.
Se _______ (necesitar) más tiempo.
Se _______ (hablar) español en Argentina.
Se _______ (permitir) estacionar aquí.
Se _______ (construir) un nuevo edificio.
Se _______ (ofrecer) clases de yoga.
Se _______ (buscar) un gato perdido.
Se _______ (alquilar) coches baratos.
Se _______ (recomendar) leer este libro.
Se _______ (decir) que es verdad.

Answers:

venden
necesita
habla
permite
construye
ofrecen
busca
alquilan
recomienda
dice

Conclusion

The passive reflexive ‘se’ is a powerful and versatile tool in Spanish that allows you to express actions in a clear and concise manner. By mastering its usage, conjugation, and common expressions, you’ll be able to communicate more effectively and naturally in Spanish. Whether you’re reading signs, giving instructions, or making general statements, the passive reflexive ‘se’ will undoubtedly enhance your language skills.

Practice regularly, pay attention to agreement rules, and soon you’ll find yourself using this construction with confidence.

¡Buena suerte! (Good luck!)

Happy learning! 😊

Mastering the Present Indicative Mode in Spanish (Regular verbs)

Present Perfect Tense (Pretérito Perfecto de Indicativo) in Spanish

Understanding the Present Subjunctive (Presente de Subjuntivo) in Spanish

Pretérito Pluscuamperfecto (Past Perfect) in Spanish

Pretérito Indefinido vs. Imperfecto – Usage and Contrast Between Two Types of Past Tense in Spanish

Simple Conditional (Condicional Simple) Tense/Mode in Spanish

Simple Future (Futuro Simple) Tense/Mode in Spanish

Tiempo Pretérito Perfecto Compuesto / Present Perfect Tense in Spanish

The Imperfect Subjunctive Tense in Spanish: Tiempo pretérito imperfecto de subjuntivo

Tiempo Futuro Compuesto / Future Perfect Tense in Spanish: A Comprehensive Guide

Master the Spanish Simple Conditional Tense: The Ultimate Expert Guide

Tiempo Condicional Compuesto: Conditional Perfect Tense in Spanish

How to Use the Present Perfect Subjunctive in Spanish: A Complete B2 Guide on Pretérito Perfecto de Subjuntivo

Past Perfect Subjunctive in Spanish: How to Use Pretérito Pluscuamperfecto de Subjuntivo with Examples and Easy Rules

February 26, 2025

Relative Clauses(oraciones relativas) with Subjunctive in Spanish

Relative clauses, or oraciones relativas, are an essential part of Spanish grammar. They allow us to add extra information about a noun without starting a new sentence. When combined with the subjunctive mood, relative clauses take on a more nuanced meaning, often expressing uncertainty, doubt, or hypothetical situations. Mastering this structure is key to sounding more fluent and natural in Spanish.

In this blog post, we’ll explore everything you need to know about relative clauses with the subjunctive, including common expressions, conjugation rules, and practical examples.

Common Expressions Using Relative Clauses with Subjunctive

Here are some everyday expressions that use relative clauses with the subjunctive. These are frequently used in conversational Spanish:

Busco a alguien que pueda ayudarme.
(I’m looking for someone who can help me.)
Necesito un libro que sea interesante.
(I need a book that is interesting.)
Quiero un lugar donde pueda relajarme.
(I want a place where I can relax.)
No hay nadie que sepa la respuesta.
(There’s no one who knows the answer.)
Espero encontrar algo que me guste.
(I hope to find something that I like.)
Busco un profesor que hable español.
(I’m looking for a teacher who speaks Spanish.)
No conozco a nadie que haya estado allí.
(I don’t know anyone who has been there.)
Quiero un coche que no gaste mucha gasolina.
(I want a car that doesn’t use much gas.)
Necesito una solución que funcione.
(I need a solution that works.)
Es difícil encontrar a alguien que entienda esto.
(It’s hard to find someone who understands this.)

Things to Keep in Mind

When using relative clauses with the subjunctive, there are a few key points to remember:

Articles and Agreement: The definite (el, la, los, las) or indefinite (un, una, unos, unas) articles must agree in gender and number with the noun they modify.
Example: Busco una casa que tenga jardín. (I’m looking for a house that has a garden.)
Gender and Plurality: Adjectives and verbs within the relative clause must match the noun in gender and number.
Example: Necesito unos zapatos que sean cómodos. (I need shoes that are comfortable.)
Use of “Que”: The relative pronoun que is the most common connector in these clauses.
Example: Quiero un perro que sea tranquilo. (I want a dog that is calm.)
Indefinite or Non-Specific Nouns: The subjunctive is used when the noun is indefinite or not specific. If the noun is specific, the indicative is used instead.
Example: Subjunctive: Busco un libro que sea bueno. (I’m looking for a book that is good.)
Indicative: Este es el libro que es bueno. (This is the book that is good.)
Expressing Doubt or Uncertainty: The subjunctive is often used to express doubt, uncertainty, or hypothetical situations.
Example: No hay nadie que lo sepa. (There’s no one who knows it.)

When to Use Relative Clauses with Subjunctive

Relative clauses with the subjunctive are used in the following situations:

When the Antecedent is Unknown or Non-Existent:
Example: Busco un médico que hable inglés. (I’m looking for a doctor who speaks English.)
When Expressing Doubt or Uncertainty:
Example: No creo que haya alguien que pueda hacerlo. (I don’t think there’s anyone who can do it.)
When the Antecedent is Indefinite:
Example: Necesito una casa que tenga tres habitaciones. (I need a house that has three bedrooms.)
When Making Hypothetical Statements:
Example: Quiero un trabajo que me permita viajar. (I want a job that allows me to travel.)

Conjugation of Regular Verbs in Relative Clauses with Subjunctive

To form the subjunctive in relative clauses, follow these steps for regular verbs:

1. -AR Verbs (e.g., hablar):

yo: hable
tú: hables
él/ella/usted: hable
nosotros/nosotras: hablemos
vosotros/vosotras: habléis
ellos/ellas/ustedes: hablen

2. -ER Verbs (e.g., comer):

yo: coma
tú: comas
él/ella/usted: coma
nosotros/nosotras: comamos
vosotros/vosotras: comáis
ellos/ellas/ustedes: coman

3. -IR Verbs (e.g., vivir):

yo: viva
tú: vivas
él/ella/usted: viva
nosotros/nosotras: vivamos
vosotros/vosotras: viváis
ellos/ellas/ustedes: vivan

Irregular Verbs and Their Conjugation

Here are some common irregular verbs in the subjunctive mood:

Ser (to be):
- yo: sea
- tú: seas
- él/ella/usted: sea
- nosotros/nosotras: seamos
- vosotros/vosotras: seáis
- ellos/ellas/ustedes: sean
Example: Busco un amigo que sea honesto. (I’m looking for a friend who is honest.)
Ir (to go):
- yo: vaya
- tú: vayas
- él/ella/usted: vaya
- nosotros/nosotras: vayamos
- vosotros/vosotras: vayáis
- ellos/ellas/ustedes: vayan
Example: Necesito un lugar que vaya bien con mi estilo. (I need a place that goes well with my style.)
Tener (to have):
- yo: tenga
- tú: tengas
- él/ella/usted: tenga
- nosotros/nosotras: tengamos
- vosotros/vosotras: tengáis
- ellos/ellas/ustedes: tengan
Example: Quiero un coche que tenga aire acondicionado. (I want a car that has air conditioning.)

10 Regular Verbs in Relative Clauses with Subjunctive

Verb	Subjunctive Form	Example Sentence	Meaning
Hablar	hable	Busco alguien que hable francés.	I’m looking for someone who speaks French.
Comer	coma	Necesito un restaurante que coma vegano.	I need a restaurant that serves vegan food.
Vivir	viva	Quiero un lugar donde viva tranquilo.	I want a place where I can live peacefully.
Estudiar	estudie	Busco un profesor que estudie literatura.	I’m looking for a teacher who studies lit.
Trabajar	trabaje	Necesito un empleado que trabaje duro.	I need an employee who works hard.
Escuchar	escuche	Quiero una canción que escuche relajante.	I want a song that sounds relaxing.
Escribir	escriba	Busco un libro que escriba García Márquez.	I’m looking for a book written by García Márquez.
Leer	lea	Necesito un artículo que lea interesante.	I need an article that reads interesting.
Correr	corra	Quiero un parque donde corra seguro.	I want a park where I can run safely.
Cocinar	cocine	Busco un chef que cocine comida mexicana.	I’m looking for a chef who cooks Mexican food.

More Example Sentences

Espero encontrar un hotel que esté cerca de la playa.
(I hope to find a hotel that is near the beach.)
No hay nadie que quiera ayudarme.
(There’s no one who wants to help me.)
Quiero un vestido que sea elegante.
(I want a dress that is elegant.)
Busco un amigo que tenga intereses similares.
(I’m looking for a friend who has similar interests.)
Necesito un teléfono que funcione bien.
(I need a phone that works well.)
No conozco a nadie que haya viajado allí.
(I don’t know anyone who has traveled there.)
Quiero un trabajo que me permita ser creativo.
(I want a job that allows me to be creative.)
Es difícil encontrar un lugar que sea perfecto.
(It’s hard to find a place that is perfect.)
Busco una película que sea emocionante.
(I’m looking for a movie that is exciting.)
Necesito una solución que resuelva el problema.
(I need a solution that solves the problem.)

Fill in the Blanks

Busco un libro que _____ (ser) interesante.
Necesito un coche que no _____ (gastar) mucha gasolina.
Quiero un lugar donde _____ (poder) relajarme.
No hay nadie que _____ (saber) la respuesta.
Espero encontrar algo que me _____ (gustar).
Busco un profesor que _____ (hablar) español.
No conozco a nadie que _____ (haber) estado allí.
Quiero un trabajo que me _____ (permitir) viajar.
Necesito una solución que _____ (funcionar).
Es difícil encontrar a alguien que _____ (entender) esto.

Answers:

sea
gaste
pueda
sepa
guste
hable
haya
permita
funcione
entienda

Conclusion

Mastering relative clauses with the subjunctive in Spanish opens up a world of expressive possibilities. Whether you’re describing hypothetical situations, expressing doubt, or seeking something specific, this grammatical structure is indispensable. By practicing the conjugations, memorizing common expressions, and understanding the nuances, you’ll be well on your way to sounding like a native speaker. Keep practicing, and soon you’ll be using relative clauses with the subjunctive effortlessly in your conversations!

Happy learning! 😊

Mastering the Present Indicative Mode in Spanish (Regular verbs)

Present Perfect Tense (Pretérito Perfecto de Indicativo) in Spanish

Understanding the Present Subjunctive (Presente de Subjuntivo) in Spanish

Pretérito Pluscuamperfecto (Past Perfect) in Spanish

Pretérito Indefinido vs. Imperfecto – Usage and Contrast Between Two Types of Past Tense in Spanish

Simple Conditional (Condicional Simple) Tense/Mode in Spanish

Simple Future (Futuro Simple) Tense/Mode in Spanish

Tiempo Pretérito Perfecto Compuesto / Present Perfect Tense in Spanish

The Imperfect Subjunctive Tense in Spanish: Tiempo pretérito imperfecto de subjuntivo

Tiempo Futuro Compuesto / Future Perfect Tense in Spanish: A Comprehensive Guide

Master the Spanish Simple Conditional Tense: The Ultimate Expert Guide

Tiempo Condicional Compuesto: Conditional Perfect Tense in Spanish

How to Use the Present Perfect Subjunctive in Spanish: A Complete B2 Guide on Pretérito Perfecto de Subjuntivo

Past Perfect Subjunctive in Spanish: How to Use Pretérito Pluscuamperfecto de Subjuntivo with Examples and Easy Rules

February 24, 2025

100 Example Sentences of Relative Clauses (Oraciones relativos) with Indicative in Spanish | My Language Classes

Relative Clauses (Oraciones relativos) with Indicative

Relative clauses, or oraciones relativos, are a fundamental part of Spanish grammar. They allow us to add extra information about a noun without starting a new sentence. When combined with the indicative mood, these clauses express factual or certain information. To help you master this concept, we’ve compiled 100 example sentences of relative clauses with the indicative in Spanish. These examples cover a wide range of everyday situations, making them perfect for practice and reference. Let’s dive in!

100 Example Sentences of Relative Clauses with Indicative

El libro que leí es fascinante. (The book I read is fascinating.)
La persona que me ayudó es muy amable. (The person who helped me is very kind.)
El lugar donde vivimos es tranquilo. (The place where we live is peaceful.)
El día que nos conocimos fue especial. (The day we met was special.)
La razón por la que vine es importante. (The reason why I came is important.)
Las cosas que me gustan son simples. (The things I like are simple.)
El chico que sabe mucho es mi hermano. (The boy who knows a lot is my brother.)
La casa que compramos es grande. (The house we bought is big.)
El momento en que llegó fue inesperado. (The moment he/she arrived was unexpected.)
La comida que preparé es saludable. (The food I prepared is healthy.)
El coche que conduzco es nuevo. (The car I drive is new.)
La película que vimos fue emocionante. (The movie we watched was exciting.)
El profesor que enseña español es muy bueno. (The teacher who teaches Spanish is very good.)
La ciudad donde nací es hermosa. (The city where I was born is beautiful.)
El regalo que recibí es perfecto. (The gift I received is perfect.)
Las flores que compraste son hermosas. (The flowers you bought are beautiful.)
El niño que juega en el parque es mi hijo. (The boy who plays in the park is my son.)
La música que escucho es relajante. (The music I listen to is relaxing.)
El restaurante que recomendaste es excelente. (The restaurant you recommended is excellent.)
La persona que llamó es mi jefe. (The person who called is my boss.)
El libro que escribió es famoso. (The book he/she wrote is famous.)
La playa donde nadamos es tranquila. (The beach where we swim is peaceful.)
El día que llegaste fue inolvidable. (The day you arrived was unforgettable.)
La razón por la que estudias es admirable. (The reason why you study is admirable.)
Las canciones que cantamos son divertidas. (The songs we sing are fun.)
El hombre que habla es mi profesor. (The man who is speaking is my teacher.)
La mujer que cocina es mi madre. (The woman who cooks is my mother.)
El perro que ladra es de mi vecino. (The dog that is barking is my neighbor’s.)
La casa que construyeron es enorme. (The house they built is huge.)
El café que tomamos es delicioso. (The coffee we drank is delicious.)
El chico que corre rápido ganó la carrera. (The boy who runs fast won the race.)
La película que vimos ayer fue aburrida. (The movie we watched yesterday was boring.)
El lugar donde nos encontramos es muy popular. (The place where we met is very popular.)
El libro que estoy leyendo es interesante. (The book I’m reading is interesting.)
La persona que me llamó es mi mejor amigo. (The person who called me is my best friend.)
El coche que compraste es muy rápido. (The car you bought is very fast.)
La comida que pedimos estaba fría. (The food we ordered was cold.)
El niño que estudia mucho es muy inteligente. (The boy who studies a lot is very smart.)
La ciudad que visitamos es muy antigua. (The city we visited is very old.)
El momento en que nos conocimos fue mágico. (The moment we met was magical.)
El libro que me prestaste es increíble. (The book you lent me is amazing.)
La persona que canta es mi hermana. (The person who is singing is my sister.)
El lugar donde trabajamos es muy moderno. (The place where we work is very modern.)
El día que llegamos fue lluvioso. (The day we arrived was rainy.)
La razón por la que no vine es el tráfico. (The reason I didn’t come is the traffic.)
Las cosas que compramos son útiles. (The things we bought are useful.)
El chico que juega fútbol es mi primo. (The boy who plays soccer is my cousin.)
La casa que alquilamos es pequeña. (The house we rented is small.)
El momento en que ganamos fue emocionante. (The moment we won was exciting.)
La comida que preparaste está deliciosa. (The food you prepared is delicious.)
El coche que vendimos era viejo. (The car we sold was old.)
La película que recomendaste es muy buena. (The movie you recommended is very good.)
El profesor que nos enseñó es muy sabio. (The teacher who taught us is very wise.)
La ciudad donde crecí es muy pequeña. (The city where I grew up is very small.)
El regalo que hiciste es muy especial. (The gift you made is very special.)
Las flores que plantamos están creciendo. (The flowers we planted are growing.)
El niño que dibuja es muy talentoso. (The boy who draws is very talented.)
La música que tocamos es clásica. (The music we play is classical.)
El restaurante que elegimos es caro. (The restaurant we chose is expensive.)
La persona que me escribió es mi amiga. (The person who wrote to me is my friend.)
El libro que leíste es muy interesante. (The book you read is very interesting.)
La playa donde descansamos es hermosa. (The beach where we rested is beautiful.)
El día que nos casamos fue perfecto. (The day we got married was perfect.)
La razón por la que trabajas es importante. (The reason why you work is important.)
Las canciones que escuchamos son románticas. (The songs we listen to are romantic.)
El hombre que corre es mi vecino. (The man who is running is my neighbor.)
La mujer que pinta es muy talentosa. (The woman who paints is very talented.)
El perro que adoptamos es muy cariñoso. (The dog we adopted is very affectionate.)
La casa que diseñamos es única. (The house we designed is unique.)
El café que bebimos es fuerte. (The coffee we drank is strong.)
El chico que estudia medicina es mi amigo. (The boy who studies medicine is my friend.)
La película que vimos anoche fue divertida. (The movie we watched last night was fun.)
El lugar donde cenamos es muy acogedor. (The place where we had dinner is very cozy.)
El libro que compré es muy educativo. (The book I bought is very educational.)
La persona que me espera es mi novia. (The person waiting for me is my girlfriend.)
El coche que manejas es muy moderno. (The car you drive is very modern.)
La comida que cocinaste es exquisita. (The food you cooked is exquisite.)
El niño que lee mucho es muy listo. (The boy who reads a lot is very clever.)
La ciudad que exploramos es fascinante. (The city we explored is fascinating.)
El momento en que nos graduamos fue emotivo. (The moment we graduated was emotional.)
El libro que me regalaste es muy útil. (The book you gave me is very useful.)
La persona que baila es mi prima. (The person who is dancing is my cousin.)
El lugar donde nos relajamos es tranquilo. (The place where we relax is peaceful.)
El día que viajamos fue soleado. (The day we traveled was sunny.)
La razón por la que luchas es admirable. (The reason why you fight is admirable.)
Las cosas que aprendimos son valiosas. (The things we learned are valuable.)
El chico que juega baloncesto es mi compañero. (The boy who plays basketball is my teammate.)
La casa que construimos es ecológica. (The house we built is eco-friendly.)
El momento en que ganamos fue inolvidable. (The moment we won was unforgettable.)
La comida que probamos fue picante. (The food we tried was spicy.)
El coche que arreglamos funciona bien. (The car we fixed works well.)
La película que disfrutamos fue emocionante. (The movie we enjoyed was exciting.)
El profesor que nos guió es muy paciente. (The teacher who guided us is very patient.)
La ciudad donde nos conocimos es muy animada. (The city where we met is very lively.)
El regalo que recibimos fue sorprendente. (The gift we received was surprising.)
Las flores que cortamos son frescas. (The flowers we cut are fresh.)
El niño que canta es muy talentoso. (The boy who sings is very talented.)
La música que escuchamos es alegre. (The music we listen to is cheerful.)
El restaurante que visitamos es muy famoso. (The restaurant we visited is very famous.)
La persona que me inspiró es mi abuela. (The person who inspired me is my grandmother.)

Conclusion

These 100 example sentences of relative clauses with the indicative in Spanish are designed to help you understand and practice this important grammar concept. By studying these examples, you’ll gain confidence in constructing your own sentences and using relative clauses naturally in conversations. Keep practicing, and soon you’ll master this essential part of Spanish grammar. ¡Buena suerte! (Good luck!)

If you found this guide helpful, I’d love to hear from you! Share your thoughts in the comments below or connect with me on social media. For more tips, resources, and inspiration, visit my blog at mylanguageclassesblog.wordpress.com. Follow on Instagram and subscribe on YouTube

Mastering the Present Indicative Mode in Spanish (Regular verbs)

Imperative Mode in Spanish

Preterite Tense (Pretérito Indefinido) in Spanish

Imperfect Tense (Pretérito Imperfecto) in Spanish

Future Simple Tense in Spanish

Spanish Conditional Tense (Condicional Simple)

Present Perfect Tense (Pretérito Perfecto de Indicativo) in Spanish

Understanding the Subjunctive Mood in Spanish

Understanding the Present Subjunctive (Presente de Subjuntivo) in Spanish

Pretérito Pluscuamperfecto (Past Perfect) in Spanish

Pretérito Indefinido vs. Imperfecto – Usage and Contrast Between Two Types of Past Tense in Spanish

Simple Conditional (Condicional Simple) Tense/Mode in Spanish

Simple Future (Futuro Simple) Tense/Mode in Spanish

Estar + Gerund (Progressive Actions) in Spanish

Tiempo Pretérito Perfecto Compuesto / Present Perfect Tense in Spanish

The Imperfect Subjunctive Tense in Spanish: Tiempo pretérito imperfecto de subjuntivo

Tiempo Futuro Compuesto / Future Perfect Tense in Spanish: A Comprehensive Guide

Master the Spanish Simple Conditional Tense: The Ultimate Expert Guide

Tiempo Condicional Compuesto: Conditional Perfect Tense in Spanish

Mastering Present Progressive in Spanish

How to Use the Present Perfect Subjunctive in Spanish: A Complete B2 Guide on Pretérito Perfecto de Subjuntivo

Past Perfect Subjunctive in Spanish: How to Use Pretérito Pluscuamperfecto de Subjuntivo with Examples and Easy Rules

February 23, 2025

Relative Clauses (Oraciones relativas) with Indicative in Spanish

Relative clauses, or oraciones relativos, are an essential part of Spanish grammar. They allow us to provide additional information about a noun without starting a new sentence. When combined with the indicative mood, relative clauses are used to express factual or certain information. Understanding how to use them correctly can significantly improve your fluency and comprehension in Spanish.

In this blog post, we’ll explore everything you need to know about relative clauses with the indicative mood, including common expressions, conjugation rules, and practical examples.

Common Expressions Using Relative Clauses with Indicative

Here’s a list of common expressions that use relative clauses with the indicative mood in everyday Spanish:

El libro que leí – The book that I read.
La persona que me ayudó – The person who helped me.
El lugar donde vivimos – The place where we live.
El momento en que llegó – The moment when he/she arrived.
La razón por la que vine – The reason why I came.
Las cosas que me gustan – The things that I like.
El chico que sabe mucho – The boy who knows a lot.
La casa que compramos – The house that we bought.
El día que nos conocimos – The day we met.
La comida que preparé – The food that I prepared.

These expressions are widely used in daily conversations and are a great starting point for mastering relative clauses with the indicative.

Things to Keep in Mind

When using relative clauses with the indicative mood, keep the following points in mind:

Articles and Agreement: The relative pronoun (que, quien, donde, etc.) must agree in number and gender with the noun it refers to. For example:
- El hombre que habla (The man who speaks).
- Las mujeres que cantan (The women who sing).
Indicative Mood: The indicative is used when the information in the relative clause is factual or certain. For example:
- El niño que estudia mucho (The boy who studies a lot).
Relative Pronouns:
- Que is the most common relative pronoun and can refer to people, things, or ideas.
- Quien/quienes is used for people, especially after prepositions.
- Donde refers to places.
- El cual/la cual/los cuales/las cuales are more formal and used to avoid ambiguity.
Prepositions: When a preposition is needed, it is placed before the relative pronoun. For example:
- La chica con la que hablé (The girl I spoke with).

When to Use Relative Clauses with Indicative

Relative clauses with the indicative mood are used in the following situations:

To Provide Specific Information:
- El coche que compré es rojo (The car I bought is red).
To Describe People or Things:
- La profesora que enseña español es muy amable (The teacher who teaches Spanish is very kind).
To Indicate Time or Place:
- El día que llegaste fue especial (The day you arrived was special).
To Explain Reasons:
- La razón por la que no vine es el tráfico (The reason I didn’t come is the traffic).

Conjugation of Regular Verbs

To form relative clauses with the indicative, conjugate the verb in the indicative mood according to the subject. Here’s how to conjugate regular verbs:

1. -AR Verbs (e.g., hablar – to speak):

Yo hablo
Tú hablas
Él/Ella/Usted habla
Nosotros/Nosotras hablamos
Vosotros/Vosotras habláis
Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes hablan

2. -ER Verbs (e.g., comer – to eat):

Yo como
Tú comes
Él/Ella/Usted come
Nosotros/Nosotras comemos
Vosotros/Vosotras coméis
Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes comen

3. -IR Verbs (e.g., vivir – to live):

Yo vivo
Tú vives
Él/Ella/Usted vive
Nosotros/Nosotras vivimos
Vosotros/Vosotras vivís
Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes viven

Irregular Verbs and Their Conjugation

Here are some common irregular verbs and their conjugation in the indicative mood:

Ser (to be):
- Yo soy
- Tú eres
- Él/Ella/Usted es
- Nosotros/Nosotras somos
- Vosotros/Vosotras sois
- Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes son
Example: El hombre que es médico (The man who is a doctor).
Ir (to go):
- Yo voy
- Tú vas
- Él/Ella/Usted va
- Nosotros/Nosotras vamos
- Vosotros/Vosotras vais
- Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes van
Example: El lugar al que vamos (The place we are going to).
Tener (to have):
- Yo tengo
- Tú tienes
- Él/Ella/Usted tiene
- Nosotros/Nosotras tenemos
- Vosotros/Vosotras tenéis
- Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes tienen
Example: La chica que tiene un perro (The girl who has a dog).

10 Regular Verbs in Relative Clauses with Indicative

Verb	Example Sentence 1	Example Sentence 2
Hablar	El hombre que habla es mi profesor.	La mujer que habla español es mi amiga.
Comer	El niño que come fruta está sano.	La comida que comimos fue deliciosa.
Vivir	La ciudad donde vivo es muy bonita.	Las personas que viven aquí son amables.
Escuchar	La música que escucho es relajante.	El chico que escucha música es mi hermano.
Escribir	El libro que escribió es famoso.	Las cartas que escribimos son importantes.
Leer	El artículo que leí es interesante.	Los libros que leemos son educativos.
Correr	El atleta que corre rápido ganó la carrera.	El perro que corre en el parque es mío.
Bailar	La chica que baila es mi hermana.	La música que bailamos es salsa.
Cantar	El cantante que canta bien es famoso.	Las canciones que cantamos son divertidas.
Trabajar	El hombre que trabaja aquí es ingeniero.	La empresa donde trabajamos es grande.

More Example Sentences

El coche que conduzco es nuevo. (The car I drive is new.)
La casa que construyeron es enorme. (The house they built is huge.)
El libro que leíste es interesante. (The book you read is interesting.)
El lugar donde nos conocimos es especial. (The place where we met is special.)
La persona que me llamó es mi jefe. (The person who called me is my boss.)
El día que llegaste fue inolvidable. (The day you arrived was unforgettable.)
La razón por la que estudias es importante. (The reason why you study is important.)
Las flores que compraste son hermosas. (The flowers you bought are beautiful.)
El niño que juega en el parque es mi hijo. (The boy who plays in the park is my son.)
La comida que preparaste está deliciosa. (The food you prepared is delicious.)

Fill in the Blanks

El libro ___ leí es muy interesante.
La persona ___ me ayudó es mi amiga.
El lugar ___ vivimos es tranquilo.
El día ___ nos conocimos fue especial.
La razón ___ vine es importante.
Las cosas ___ me gustan son simples.
El chico ___ sabe mucho es mi hermano.
La casa ___ compramos es grande.
El momento ___ llegó fue inesperado.
La comida ___ preparé es saludable.

Answers: 1. que, 2. que, 3. donde, 4. que, 5. por la que, 6. que, 7. que, 8. que, 9. en que, 10. que

Conclusion

Mastering relative clauses with the indicative mood in Spanish is a key step toward fluency. By understanding the rules, practicing conjugation, and using common expressions, you’ll be able to communicate more effectively and naturally. Keep practicing with the examples and exercises provided, and soon you’ll find yourself using relative clauses with confidence in your conversations.

¡Buena suerte! (Good luck!)

Happy learning! 😊

Mastering the Present Indicative Mode in Spanish (Regular verbs)

Present Perfect Tense (Pretérito Perfecto de Indicativo) in Spanish