Miscellaneous Uses of the Spanish Conditional Tense

As a general rule, as explained in our introduction to the Spanish conditional tense, the English would is the equivalent of the Spanish conditional. But there are exceptions. The major ones are listed below: Examples of when the conditional tense isnt translated as would To express speculation about the past: Just as the future tense can be used to express speculation about the present, the conditional can be used to express speculation or probability about the past. A variety of translations can be used, depending on the context. Despuà ©s de trabajar, tendrà ­an hambre. After working, they probably were hungry. Another possible translation is After working, they must have been hungry. (A would translation is also possible: After working, they would have been hungry.)  ¿Dà ³nde estuvo Jorge? Estarà ­a en casa. Where was George? He must have been at home. Another possible translation is Where was George? I wonder if he was at home. (A would translation is also possible: He would have been at home.) Where the conditional poder is translated as could: This is a variation on the would rule, for poder, which when conjugated can mean can, can also be translated as to be able. When could means the same as would be able, the conditional is usually used. Si tuviera dinero, podrà ­a ir al cine. If I had money, I could go to the movies. (This is a use of the conditional based on a condition. It also could be translated as If I had the money, I would be able to go to the movies.) Podrà ­an salir maà ±ana. They could leave tomorrow. (Here the condition is unstated. The sentence also could be translated as They would be able to leave tomorrow.)  ¿Podrà ­a tener un là ¡piz? Could I have a pencil? (Or, would I be able to have a pencil?) Examples of when would isnt translated as the Spanish conditional When it refers to a past repeated action: In such cases, the imperfect is usually used. This use of would in English is usually understood as used to or as the past tense. Whats different in this instance from cases where would is in the conditional tense is that the activity isnt hypothetical. Cuando era nià ±o, à ­bamos al cine. When I was a boy, we would go to the movies. (This is the same as saying we used to go to the movies or we went to the movies. Going to the movies isnt a hypothetical action.) Mi hijo jugaba con cuidado. My son would play carefully. (This is the same as saying, My son used to play carefully.)