L38 Span 202 Lecture 4: If Clauses with Simple Tenses
Document Summary
If the situation in the if clause is perceived as possible or probable, the indicative mood is used. Si + present indicative > present indicative, future, command: si me llevas a la esta, te pago la gasolina. If you take me to the party (probable), i"ll pay for the gas: lo ver si voy a espa a. I will see him if i go to spain (possible: escr beme si tienes tiempo. Write me if you have the time (possible) Si + past subjunctive > conditional: si tuviera mucho dinero, me comportar a mejor. If i had a lot of money (but i don"t), i would behave better: cambiar a esa ley si yo tuviera el poder de hacerlo. I would change that law if i had the power to do so (but i don"t) Sometimes the if clause is only implied, not explicitly stated.
