se + Imperfect + Conditional
Unreal if Clauses
An unreal condition uses se with the imperfect, and the result uses the conditional.
How It Works
| Kind of condition | Condition | Result | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| real | se + present | present or future | Se fa bèl temps, anam a la mar. |
| unreal now | se + imperfect | conditional | Se fasiá bèl temps, anariam a la mar. |
The unreal condition talks about something that is not true now or is unlikely: Se sabiái la responsa, la diriái. (If I knew the answer, I would say it.) The imperfect after se is the ordinary imperfect indicative, and it does not carry a past meaning here.
The result clause can come first: Dormiriái mai, se podiái. (I would sleep more, if I could.) For an unreal condition about the past, see the pluperfect subjunctive and the past conditional.
Examples (5)
- Se sabiái la responsa, la diriái.
If I knew the answer, I would say it.
Sabiái in the condition, diriái in the result.
- Se Maria èra aicí, seriam contents.
If Maria were here, we would be happy.
Èra after se, seriam in the result.
- S'aviái de moneda, crompariái un ostal.
If I had money, I would buy a house.
Se becomes s' before aviái.
- Se Joan veniá, manjariam amassa.
If Joan came, we would eat together.
Veniá after se, manjariam in the result.
- Se podiái, dormiriái mai.
If I could, I would sleep more.
The condition can come first, with a short clause.
Common Mistakes
Using the conditional after se
Se fariá bèl temps, anariam a la mar.Se fasiá bèl temps, anariam a la mar.The conditional belongs in the result clause. After se, use the imperfect: fasiá.
Mixing the imperfect with the future
Se fasiá bèl temps, anarem a la mar.Se fasiá bèl temps, anariam a la mar.An unreal condition with the imperfect needs the conditional in the result: anariam.
How It Connects
Learn This First
An unreal condition uses se, the imperfect and the conditional, so the real condition and the conditional come first.
Related Patterns
Words in This Pattern
Practice se + Imperfect + Conditional in Bubblegum
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