Mixed Conditionals in Spanish: Connecting Past Choices to Present Reality

¡Hola! Me llamo Dan. I want to help you improve your knowledge of Spanish from intermediate to advanced. In my substack here, we explore "real-life" Spanish using examples from TV, film and culture - and my kids occasionally join in to help demonstrate the language in action. These lesson pages provide additional in-depth information on specific language points for students who want to study more detail.

What are mixed conditionals in Spanish?

Mixed conditionals allow you to connect past hypothetical situations with present outcomes. They answer the question: "How would things be different now if something had (or hadn't) happened in the past?" For example: "If I had studied harder last semester, I would be passing this class now." This construction is incredibly common in everyday Spanish - in songs, conversations, expressions of regret, and daydreams about alternate realities.

The beauty of mixed conditionals is that they bridge two time periods. Unlike pure third conditionals (which stay entirely in the past: "If I had studied, I would have passed"), mixed conditionals link a past hypothetical action to a present hypothetical result. This makes them perfect for expressing lasting consequences, lingering regrets, or imagining how different choices would have shaped your current situation.

How to Construct Mixed Conditionals

The structure combines elements from both second and third conditionals. Here's the formula:

Si + pluperfect subjunctive (hubiera/hubiese + participio pasado) + conditional tense (verb ending in -ía)

Let's break this down with an example: "Si hubiera ahorrado dinero, ahora tendría un coche nuevo." (If I had saved money, I would have a new car now.)

Si hubiera ahorrado - The "if" clause uses the pluperfect subjunctive (also called past perfect subjunctive). This is formed with hubiera (or hubiese - they're interchangeable) plus the past participle (ahorrado). This describes the past hypothetical condition that didn't happen.
Ahora tendría - The result clause uses the conditional tense (tendría, sería, estaría, etc. - verbs ending in -ía). This describes the present hypothetical outcome. Notice words like ahora (now), en este momento (at this moment), or hoy (today) often appear here to emphasize the present result.

Key Tips to Remember

Conjugate hubiera for different subjects: Remember that hubiera needs to change depending on who you're talking about. The full conjugation is: hubiera (yo), hubieras (tú), hubiera (él/ella/usted), hubiéramos (nosotros), hubierais (vosotros), hubieran (ellos/ellas/ustedes). For example: "Si hubiéramos salido temprano, ahora estaríamos en la playa" (If we had left early, we'd be at the beach now).
The "hubiera" does double duty: Remember that hubiera + participio pasado can translate as either "had" (in the if-clause) or "would have" (in a main clause), depending on context. In mixed conditionals, when it follows "si," it means "had." Don't let this throw you off!
Listen for time markers: Mixed conditionals often include time contrasts. The if-clause might have words like ayer (yesterday), antes (before), la semana pasada (last week), while the result clause has ahora (now), todavía (still), en este momento (at this moment). These markers help you identify that you're dealing with a mixed conditional.
Think cause and effect across time: The mental model is: Past action → Present consequence. Ask yourself: "What past choice or event would have created this different present reality?" This helps you understand both the grammar and the emotional weight of what's being expressed.
Hubiese = Hubiera: In formal or literary Spanish, you might see hubiese instead of hubiera. They're completely interchangeable in modern Spanish, though hubiera is more common in conversation. The full alternative conjugation is: hubiese, hubieses, hubiese, hubiésemos, hubieseis, hubiesen. So "Si hubiese estudiado" = "Si hubiera estudiado."
Practice with regrets and daydreams: The easiest way to internalize mixed conditionals is to express your own "if only" moments. Think about a past decision and its present impact: missed opportunities, roads not taken, or even positive outcomes from good choices. This emotional connection makes the grammar stick.

Ready to Practice?

Now that you understand the structure, you're ready to practice! Remember: past hypothetical condition (si + hubiera/hubieras/hubiéramos + participio pasado) leads to present hypothetical result (conditional tense ending in -ía).

How to complete the exercises:

Read the English sentence at the top of each exercise
Fill in the gaps in the Spanish sentence with the correct verb forms
As you type, the input will turn green when your answer is correct
Use the "Show me the answer" button if you need help

If I had put on suncream. I wouldn't be sunburned now.

Si cream solar, no ahora.

Answer: Si hubiera puesto cream solar, no estaría quemado ahora.

💡 Tip:

put on suncream = ponerse la crema solar, sunburned = quemado

If you had studied more, you would be passing the exam now.

Si más, el examen ahora.

Answer: Si hubieras estudiado más, estarías aprobando el examen ahora.

💡 Tip:

study more = estudiar más, pass the exam = aprobar el examen

If we had left earlier, we would be there by now.

Si antes, allí ahora.

Answer: Si hubiéramos salido antes, estaríamos allí ahora.

💡 Tip:

leave earlier = salir antes, be there = estar allí

If she had saved money, she would be traveling now.

Si dinero, ahora.

Answer: Si hubiera ahorrado dinero, estaría viajando ahora.

💡 Tip:

save money = ahorrar dinero, travel = viajar

If they had practiced, they would be playing better now.

Si , mejor ahora.

Answer: Si hubieran practicado, estarían jugando mejor ahora.

💡 Tip:

practice = practicar, play better = jugar mejor

If I had known, I would be helping you now.

Si , ahora.

Answer: Si hubiera sabido, te estaría ayudando ahora.

💡 Tip:

know = saber, help = ayudar

If he had called, I would be waiting for him now.

Si , por él ahora.

Answer: Si hubiera llamado, estaría esperando por él ahora.

💡 Tip:

call = llamar, wait = esperar

If you had told me, I would be prepared now.

Si , ahora.

Answer: Si me hubieras dicho, estaría preparado ahora.

💡 Tip:

tell = decir, prepare = preparar

If I had studied harder, I would be able to pass the exam.

Si más, aprobar el examen.

Answer: Si hubiera estudiado más, podría aprobar el examen.

💡 Tip:

study harder = estudiar más, pass the exam = aprobar el examen

If we had more time, we would work on this project.

Si más tiempo, en este proyecto.

Answer: Si tuviéramos más tiempo, trabajaríamos en este proyecto.

💡 Tip:

have more time = tener más tiempo, work on this project = trabajar en este proyecto

If they had learned Spanish, they would speak it fluently.

Si español, con fluidez.

Answer: Si hubieran aprendido español, lo hablarían con fluidez.

💡 Tip:

learn Spanish = aprender español, speak it fluently = hablarlo fluido

If she had taken the course, she would understand everything.

Si el curso, todo.

Answer: Si hubiera tomado el curso, entendería todo.

💡 Tip:

take the course = tomar el curso, understand everything = entender todo

If you had arrived on time, we would start the meeting.

Si a tiempo, la reunión.

Answer: Si hubieras llegado a tiempo, empezaríamos la reunión.

💡 Tip:

arrive on time = llegar a tiempo, start the meeting = empezar la reunión

If I had not spent the money, I would buy a new car.

Si el dinero, un coche nuevo.

Answer: Si no hubiera gastado el dinero, compraría un coche nuevo.

💡 Tip:

not spend the money = no gastar el dinero, buy a new car = comprar un coche nuevo

If they had not listened, they would not know what to do.

Si , qué hacer.

Answer: Si no hubieran escuchado, no sabrían qué hacer.

💡 Tip:

not listen = no escuchar, not know what to do = no saber qué hacer

If he had prepared better, he would give a great presentation.

Si mejor, una gran presentación.

Answer: Si se hubiera preparado mejor, daría una gran presentación.

💡 Tip:

prepare better = preparar mejor, give a great presentation = dar una gran presentación

If we had known about the problem, we would solve it immediately.

Si del problema, inmediatamente.

Answer: Si hubiéramos sabido del problema, lo resolveríamos inmediatamente.

💡 Tip:

know about the problem = saber sobre el problema, solve it immediately = resolverlo inmediatamente

If you had asked, I would help you with that.

Si , con eso.

Answer: Si hubieras preguntado, te ayudaría con eso.

💡 Tip:

ask = preguntar, help you with that = ayudarte con eso

If she had finished her work, she would go home early.

Si su trabajo, a casa temprano.

Answer: Si hubiera terminado su trabajo, iría a casa temprano.

💡 Tip:

finish her work = terminar su trabajo, go home early = ir a casa temprano

If I had gained more experience, I would apply for that job.

Si más experiencia, a ese trabajo.

Answer: Si hubiera ganado más experiencia, postularía a ese trabajo.

💡 Tip:

gain more experience = ganar más experiencia, apply for that job = postularse para ese trabajo