When do you use Type 2?
Type 2 describes situations that are not real or are very unlikely: If I were rich, ... If I won the lottery, ...
English uses a past tense after if and would in the main clause. Spanish keeps the would half as the Condicional Simple, but after si it needs the Imperfecto de Subjuntivo, a form English has almost lost. Its one trace is the were in if I were you, and Spanish does the same with every verb: Si yo fuera tú.
The form in the si clause
You build the Imperfecto de Subjuntivo from the third person plural of the Indefinido: drop -ron and add -ra. Verbs that are irregular in the Indefinido keep that stem.
tener: from the Indefinido to the form
Common verbs
| Infinitive | 3rd pl. Indefinido | si clause (yo) |
|---|---|---|
| hablar | hablaron | hablara |
| comer | comieron | comiera |
| tener | tuvieron | tuviera |
| poder | pudieron | pudiera |
| estar | estuvieron | estuviera |
| hacer | hicieron | hiciera |
| querer | quisieron | quisiera |
| ser / ir | fueron | fuera |
All persons: tuviera, tuvieras, tuviera, tuviéramos, tuvierais, tuvieran. Only the we-form takes a written accent. ser and ir share one form (fuera); context shows which verb is meant. Besides -ra there is the equivalent, more formal ending -se (tuviese). In everyday speech use -ra.
What Type 2 is used for
Unreal present
The condition is not true right now.
Si fuera rico, viajaría mucho.
If I were rich, I would travel a lot. (I'm not.)
Si pudiera elegir, viviría en la playa.
If I could choose, I would live at the beach.
Unlikely future
The condition is imaginable but hardly to be expected. English does the same (if I won, not if I win).
Si me tocara la lotería, dejaría mi trabajo.
If I won the lottery, I would quit my job.
¿Qué harías si ganaras un millón?
What would you do if you won a million?
Advice
"Si yo fuera tú ..." is the Spanish if I were you, and it turns an instruction into a softer suggestion.
Si yo fuera tú, hablaría con ella.
If I were you, I would talk to her.
Si yo fuera tú, no iría.
If I were you, I wouldn't go.
Type 1 or Type 2?
Type 1 - quite possible
Si + Presente de Indicativo, then Futuro.
Si tengo tiempo, te ayudaré.
If I have time, I'll help you. (That can work out.)
Type 2 - hypothetical
Si + Imperfecto de Subjuntivo, then Condicional.
Si tuviera tiempo, te ayudaría.
If I had time, I would help you. (But I don't.)
