Talking about real conditions and their consequences with si + present + future, ir a or the present, and making plans that depend on the weather.
After this lesson, you'll be able to
Say what will happen if something happens, with si + present + future (Si llueve, me quedaré en casa.)
Make plans, offers and suggestions that depend on something, with ir a, the present or poder (Si termino pronto, voy a llamarte. Si quieres, te ayudo.)
Say what always happens when something happens, with the present in both halves (Si no duermo bien, tengo sueño.)
Plan an activity around the weather and have a plan B (depende del tiempo, si no, de lo contrario, por si acaso)
Stage 2
Week 1: What Are You Doing Right Now?
Week 2: Have You Ever...?
Week 3: What's Happened Today?
Week 4: You Should...
Week 5: What Will Happen?
Week 6: If It Rains... (this lesson)
Week 7: A Table for Two
Week 8: Checking In
Week 9: Making Arrangements
Week 10: Let Me Tell You What Happened
Week 11: Connecting Ideas
Week 12: Review & Assessment
Week 6 of 12
Grammar focus
Essential grammar for this lesson with examples.
Grammar point 1 of 6
Real conditions: si + present + future
A real condition is something that may well happen: "If it rains, I'll stay at home." In Spanish it has two halves:
Si + present tense, then the future (the result).
The si half (the condition) takes the present, never the future, just like English "If it rains". The other half (the result) takes the future you learnt last week. The two halves can come in either order.
Examples
Si llueve, me quedaré en casa.If it rains, I will stay at home.
Si tienes tiempo, hablaremos después.If you have time, we will talk later.
Aprobaré el examen si estudio mucho.I will pass the exam if I study a lot.
Si no comes, tendrás hambre después.If you don't eat, you will be hungry later.
Si salimos ahora, llegaremos a tiempo.If we leave now, we will arrive on time.
Tip
Never put the future after si (if): "Si llueve", not "Si lloverá". The future goes in the other half. Watch the accent too: si without an accent means "if"; sí with an accent means "yes". And put a comma after the si half only when it comes first: "Si llueve, me quedaré en casa", but "Me quedaré en casa si llueve".
Grammar point 2 of 6
Si + present + ir a + infinitive
For plans you have more or less decided, the result can use ir a + infinitive instead of the future. This is very common in conversation, just as it is for plans without si (Week 5).
Examples
Si hace sol, vamos a ir a la playa.If it's sunny, we're going to go to the beach.
Si termino pronto, voy a llamarte.If I finish early, I'm going to call you.
Si no encuentras el libro, vas a tener que comprarlo.If you don't find the book, you're going to have to buy it.
Voy a cocinar paella si vienes a cenar.I'm going to cook paella if you come to dinner.
Tip
Both "Si llueve, me quedaré en casa" and "Si llueve, me voy a quedar en casa" are correct. The future sounds a little more formal; ir a sounds more conversational. As in Week 1, the pronoun can go before ir or on the end of the infinitive: "te voy a llamar" or "voy a llamarte".
Grammar point 3 of 6
Si + present + present
When a condition always leads to the same result (a general truth or a habit), use the present in both halves, as English does with "if" or "when".
In conversation, Spaniards also use the present in both halves for a plan in the near future: "Si llueve mañana, nos quedamos en casa." It means the same as the future, but sounds more casual.
Examples
Si como mucho chocolate, me duele el estómago.If I eat a lot of chocolate, I get a stomach ache.
Si no duermo bien, tengo sueño al día siguiente.If I don't sleep well, I'm sleepy the next day.
Si estudias todos los días, aprendes más rápido.If you study every day, you learn faster.
Si llueve mañana, nos quedamos en casa.If it rains tomorrow, we'll stay at home.
Tip
A quick check: if you could say "whenever" in English, it's a general truth and both halves are in the present ("Si llueve, el autobús llega tarde": whenever it rains, the bus is late). If it's about one occasion in the future, use the future, ir a or the casual present ("Si llueve el sábado, iré en metro").
Grammar point 4 of 6
Offers and suggestions with si
Si is also how you make offers and suggestions.
- To offer to do something, Spanish usually uses si quieres + the present: "Si quieres, te ayudo" (If you like, I'll help you). - To suggest something to someone, use poder + infinitive: "Si tienes tiempo, puedes venir a cenar." - For an obligation that depends on something, use tener que in the future (Week 4 and Week 5): "Si llueve, tendremos que cancelar la barbacoa."
Examples
Si quieres, te llamo esta noche.If you like, I'll call you tonight.
Si tienes frío, te dejo mi chaqueta.If you're cold, I'll lend you my jacket.
Si tienes tiempo, puedes venir a verme.If you have time, you can come and see me.
Si no entiendes algo, puedes preguntarle al profesor.If you don't understand something, you can ask the teacher.
Si llueve, tendremos que cancelar la barbacoa.If it rains, we'll have to cancel the barbecue.
Tip
English says "I'll help you" for an offer, but Spanish uses the present: "Si quieres, te acompaño" (If you like, I'll come with you). Later in the course (A2.3) you will learn commands, and then you can also say "Si tienes tiempo, ven a verme" (If you have time, come and see me).
Grammar point 5 of 6
Depende, si no and por si acaso
A few short expressions help you talk about plans that may change:
- depende de: it depends on. "Depende del tiempo" (de + el = del). On its own, "Depende" is a complete answer. - si no: if not, otherwise. - de lo contrario: otherwise (a little more formal). - en caso de + noun: in case of. "En caso de lluvia" (if it rains). - por si acaso: just in case.
Plans that may change
Spanish
English
depende de
it depends on
si no
if not, otherwise
de lo contrario
otherwise
en caso de
in case of
por si acaso
just in case
el plan B
plan B
Examples
Iremos al parque o al cine. Depende del tiempo.We'll go to the park or the cinema. It depends on the weather.
Podemos ir a la playa el sábado. Si no, el domingo.We can go to the beach on Saturday. If not, on Sunday.
Si no llueve, iremos al parque. De lo contrario, nos quedaremos en casa.If it doesn't rain, we will go to the park. Otherwise, we will stay at home.
En caso de lluvia, el concierto será en el teatro.In case of rain, the concert will be in the theatre.
Siempre tengo un plan B, por si acaso.I always have a plan B, just in case.
Tip
"¿Vamos a la sierra el domingo?" - "Depende. Si hace buen tiempo, sí." Depende de can also be about a person: "Depende de ti" (It's up to you). Por si acaso works on its own, too: "Me llevo el paraguas, por si acaso" (I'll take my umbrella, just in case) is something you will hear every day in Spain.
Grammar point 6 of 6
The weather: now and in the forecast
You know the weather from A1: hace calor, llueve, está nublado, hay tormenta. In a condition, the weather goes in the present after si ("Si hace sol..."). A forecast uses the future: hará, lloverá, nevará, estará, habrá.
The weather after si and in a forecast
After si (present)
Forecast (future)
English
hace calor
hará calor
it's hot / it will be hot
hace frío
hará frío
it's cold / it will be cold
hace sol
hará sol
it's sunny / it will be sunny
hace buen tiempo
hará buen tiempo
the weather's nice / will be nice
llueve
lloverá
it rains / it will rain
nieva
nevará
it snows / it will snow
está nublado
estará nublado
it's cloudy / it will be cloudy
hay tormenta
habrá tormenta
there's a storm / there will be a storm
Examples
Si hace calor, iremos a la piscina.If it's hot, we will go to the pool.
Si nieva, no saldremos de casa.If it snows, we won't leave the house.
Si hay tormenta, cancelarán el partido.If there's a storm, they will cancel the match.
Mañana lloverá en Madrid. Si llueve, iremos al cine.Tomorrow it will rain in Madrid. If it rains, we'll go to the cinema.
Tip
Hace goes with nouns (hace calor, hace sol, hace buen tiempo), está with adjectives (está nublado), and hay with a few weather nouns (hay tormenta, hay niebla, hay nubes). In Spain you will also hear "hace bueno" (the weather's nice) and "hace malo" (the weather's bad).
Conversation
Conversation example
Ana and Pablo want to go hiking in the mountains near Madrid this weekend, but the forecast isn't good. In Week 4 Pablo hurt his back at the gym, and Ana, who is a doctor, told him to rest.
PabloAna, ¿qué hacemos este fin de semana? Quiero ir a la sierra.Ana, what shall we do this weekend? I want to go to the mountains.
AnaMe encanta la idea, pero depende del tiempo. Vi el pronóstico y dicen que lloverá el sábado.I love the idea, but it depends on the weather. I saw the forecast and they say it will rain on Saturday.
PabloVaya. Si llueve, no podremos hacer senderismo. Será peligroso.Oh dear. If it rains, we won't be able to go hiking. It will be dangerous.
AnaExacto. Pero si hace sol el domingo, podemos ir ese día. ¿Y tu espalda? ¿Ya estás mejor?Exactly. But if it's sunny on Sunday, we can go that day. And your back? Are you better now?
PabloSí, mucho mejor. Ya no me duele nada.Yes, much better. It doesn't hurt at all now.
AnaMuy bien. Pero si te duele, haremos una ruta corta. ¡Lo dice la doctora!Good. But if it hurts, we'll do a short route. Doctor's orders!
PabloVale, doctora. ¿Y si llueve los dos días? ¿Qué haremos?OK, doctor. And what if it rains both days? What will we do?
AnaPues nos quedaremos en Madrid. Iremos al museo o al cine.Well, we'll stay in Madrid. We'll go to a museum or the cinema.
Pablo¡Perfecto! Siempre es bueno tener un plan B, por si acaso.Perfect! It's always good to have a plan B, just in case.
AnaSi vamos a la sierra, llevaré comida para un pícnic. Mi hermana Sofía me mandó una receta increíble.If we go to the mountains, I'll bring food for a picnic. My sister Sofía sent me an amazing recipe.
PabloGenial. Y yo llevaré agua y los paraguas. Si el pronóstico cambia, ¿me llamas el viernes?Brilliant. And I'll bring water and the umbrellas. If the forecast changes, will you call me on Friday?
Ana¡Hecho! Si hace buen tiempo, será un fin de semana perfecto.Deal! If the weather is nice, it will be a perfect weekend.
The condition: complete the si half with the right form of the verb in brackets.
Si mañana, llevaré un paraguas. (llover)
Si buen tiempo, iremos a la sierra. (hacer)
Si no el autobús, cogeremos un taxi. (llegar)
Si pronto, podrás descansar. (terminar - tú)
Si mis hermanos a Madrid, cenaremos juntos. (venir)
Exercise 2 of 8 · Fill in the blanks
The result: complete the other half with the future tense of the verb in brackets.
Si tengo tiempo, a verte. (ir - yo)
Si hace calor, a la piscina. (ir - nosotros)
Si llegas tarde, sin ti. (cenar - nosotros)
Si no vienen, sin ellos. (empezar - nosotros)
Si nieva, las carreteras peligrosas. (estar)
Si llueve, que cancelar la barbacoa. (tener - nosotros)
Exercise 3 of 8 · Multiple choice
Choose the correct form for each sentence.
1. Si _____ buen tiempo, iremos al parque.
2. Si no comes ahora, _____ hambre en el tren.
3. Si _____ a Pablo, le daré tu mensaje.
4. No saldremos esta tarde si _____.
5. Si estudias mucho, _____ el examen sin problemas.
Exercise 4 of 8 · Multiple choice
Plan A and plan B: choose the best way to complete each sentence.
1. Si llueve el sábado, ...
2. Si hace mucho calor, ...
3. ¿Vamos a la sierra el domingo? - No sé, _____ del tiempo.
4. No va a llover, pero llevo el paraguas _____.
5. Iremos a la sierra si hace sol. _____, iremos al museo.
Exercise 5 of 8 · Multiple choice
Plan, offer or suggestion? Choose what you would say in each situation.
1. Your friend has too much work. You offer to help:
2. You suggest your friend comes to dinner if she is free:
3. You tell a friend your plan, already decided, for a sunny Saturday:
4. Your friend is tired after work. You offer to cook:
5. Your friend doesn't understand the homework. You suggest asking the teacher:
Exercise 6 of 8 · Fill in the blanks
Plans you have already decided: complete the result with ir a + the infinitive in brackets.
Si termino pronto, . (llamarte - yo)
Si llueve, la excursión. (posponer - nosotros)
Si hace buen tiempo, un pícnic. (hacer - nosotros)
Si no encuentras las llaves, que llamar a tu hermana. (tener - tú)
Exercise 7 of 8 · Multiple choice
Always true: choose the Spanish for each sentence. When something always happens, use the present in both halves.
1. Whenever it's hot, I sleep badly.
2. Whenever I don't have breakfast, I'm hungry at eleven.
3. Whenever I eat a lot of chocolate, I get a stomach ache.
Exercise 8 of 8 · Reading
Read about the plans for Diego's visit to Madrid and answer the questions:
Lectura
En julio, Diego, el hermano de Ana, vendrá a Madrid. Ana ya tiene muchos planes para su visita, pero dependen del tiempo. Si hace mucho calor, irán a la piscina por la mañana y darán un paseo por la noche, cuando hace más fresco. Si hay tormenta, se quedarán en casa y Diego cocinará una receta mexicana de su madre. El domingo, si Pablo ya ha vuelto de Japón, van a ir todos de excursión a Toledo. Pablo ya ha dicho: "Si queréis, os llevo en coche". Si no ha vuelto, verán un partido de fútbol en un bar. Ana siempre tiene un plan B porque dice: "Si no planificas, pierdes el tiempo". Por si acaso, ya ha comprado dos paraguas.
1. ¿Qué harán por la mañana si hace mucho calor?
2. ¿Por qué darán un paseo por la noche?
3. ¿Qué hará Diego si hay tormenta?
4. ¿Qué harán el domingo si Pablo no ha vuelto de Japón?
5. ¿Qué les ofrece Pablo para ir a Toledo?
6. ¿Qué ha comprado Ana por si acaso?
Listening practice
ConversationElementaryElenaCarlos
Si hace buen tiempo
If the Weather Is Nice
Tip: If you need help, review the questions first, use the slow speed option, and check the transcript.
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ShowHide Transcript
ElenaCarlos, mis hermanas Lucía y Marta vendrán a Madrid la semana que viene. ¿Qué podemos hacer con ellas?Carlos, my sisters Lucía and Marta are coming to Madrid next week. What can we do with them?
CarlosDepende del tiempo. Si hace buen tiempo, podemos ir al Retiro. Es un parque precioso.It depends on the weather. If the weather is nice, we can go to the Retiro. It's a beautiful park.
ElenaBuena idea. ¿Y si llueve? ¿Qué haremos?Good idea. And what if it rains? What will we do?
CarlosSi llueve, iremos al Museo del Prado. A tus hermanas les encantará.If it rains, we'll go to the Prado Museum. Your sisters will love it.
ElenaPerfecto. Y si tienen hambre después del museo, conozco un restaurante colombiano muy bueno.Perfect. And if they're hungry after the museum, I know a very good Colombian restaurant.
Carlos¡Genial! Y si quieren ir de compras, las llevaré a la Gran Vía.Brilliant! And if they want to go shopping, I'll take them to the Gran Vía.
ElenaCarlos, eres muy amable. Si necesitas ayuda con algo, puedes contar conmigo. Te debo un favor.Carlos, you're very kind. If you need help with anything, you can count on me. I owe you a favour.
CarlosNo te preocupes. Si tus hermanas lo pasan bien, yo también. Pero por si acaso, llevaré el paraguas.Don't worry. If your sisters have a good time, so will I. But just in case, I'll bring my umbrella.
Next week we'll go to a restaurant! You'll order politely with the conditional (me gustaría, querría, ¿podría...?), use the same irregular stems you learnt for the future, and ask for things with set phrases such as "¿Me trae la cuenta?" and "Tráigame un café, por favor".
Up next · A2.2 Week 7
A Table for Two
Coming next
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