What the form is for
The condicional compuesto says what would have happened in the past if something had been different. It is the exact counterpart of English would have spoken, would have gone. English spreads the idea over three words (would + have + participle); in Spanish habría alone carries both would and have.
Condicional simple or compuesto?
Yo iría contigo.
I would go with you. (now or later)
Yo habría ido contigo.
I would have gone with you. (back then)
haber in the conditional
haber in the conditional
| Person | haber |
|---|---|
| yo | habría |
| tú | habrías |
| él / ella / usted | habría |
| nosotros / nosotras | habríamos |
| vosotros / vosotras | habríais |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | habrían |
Only the auxiliary is conjugated
When you use it
The unreal consequence
The consequence of a condition that never came true. The condition is often already inside a phrase like con (with) or sin (without).
Con más tiempo, lo habríamos terminado.
With more time, we would have finished it.
Sin gafas no lo habría visto.
Without my glasses I wouldn't have seen it.
What you would have done differently
You say what you would have done yourself, which works as softened criticism, exactly as in English.
Yo habría actuado de otra manera.
I would have acted differently.
En tu lugar, no habría dicho nada.
In your place, I wouldn't have said anything.
Unfulfilled wishes and regret
What you would have liked to do but didn't. Typical verbs are encantar, gustar and preferir.
Me habría encantado conocerte antes.
I would have loved to meet you sooner.
Habría preferido quedarme en casa.
I would have preferred to stay at home.
