de + Infinitive
Conditional De
'De + infinitive' is a concise and often formal way to form a conditional clause, typically replacing a 'si' clause.
How It Works
The 'de + infinitive' construction is an elegant way to express a condition in Spanish, serving as a compact substitute for a full 'si' clause. It's particularly common in written and more formal spoken Spanish. It can replace two main types of 'si' clauses:
1. Hypothetical Conditions (Present/Future)
This is a very common use. It replaces a 'si' clause with the imperfect subjunctive. The main clause uses the conditional tense to describe the hypothetical result.
- Si tuviera tiempo, iría al cine. → De tener tiempo, iría al cine. (If I had time, I would go to the movies.)
- Si pudiera, te ayudaría. → De poder, te ayudaría. (If I could, I would help you.)
2. Possible Conditions (Future)
It can also replace a 'si' clause with the present indicative that expresses a likely or possible future condition. The main clause then uses the future tense or a command.
- Si no llueve mañana, iremos a la playa. → De no llover mañana, iremos a la playa. (If it doesn't rain tomorrow, we will go to the beach.)
Pronoun Placement:
Object pronouns are attached directly to the end of the infinitive.
- De tenerlo, te lo prestaría. (If I had it, I would lend it to you.)
For Past Conditions:
To talk about an unreal condition in the past, you use the perfect infinitive: De + haber + Past Participle. The main clause then uses the conditional perfect.
- Si hubiera sabido la verdad, te habría llamado. → De haber sabido la verdad, te habría llamado. (If I had known the truth, I would have called you.)
This structure provides a sophisticated and efficient alternative to longer conditional sentences.
Examples (5)
- De tener más dinero, viajaría por todo el mundo.
If I had more money, I would travel all over the world.
Word by Word: Of to have more money, I would travel for all the world.
- De saber la respuesta, te la diría.
If I knew the answer, I would tell it to you.
Word by Word: Of to know the answer, to you it I would say.
This example shows how the main clause functions normally. The object pronouns 'te' and 'la' precede the conjugated verb 'diría'.
- De no llover mañana, iremos a la playa.
If it doesn't rain tomorrow, we will go to the beach.
Word by Word: Of not to rain tomorrow, we will go to the beach.
Negation is formed by placing 'no' directly before the infinitive. The main clause can also be in the future tense, similar to a 'si + present, future' structure.
- De haberlo sabido antes, habría actuado de otra manera.
If I had known it before, I would have acted differently.
Word by Word: Of to have it known before, I would have acted of another way.
This demonstrates the structure for past unreal conditions using 'de + haber + past participle'. The object pronoun 'lo' is attached to 'haber'.
- De ser posible, me gustaría recibir la información hoy mismo.
If possible, I would like to receive the information today.
Word by Word: Of to be possible, to me it would please to receive the information today same.
'De ser posible' is a very common fixed phrase equivalent to 'If it's possible' or 'If possible'.
Common Mistakes
Using a conjugated verb after 'de' instead of an infinitive.
De tengo tiempo, iría contigo.De tener tiempo, iría contigo.The preposition 'de' in this conditional structure must always be followed by the infinitive form of the verb ('tener'), not a conjugated form like 'tengo'.
Incorrectly adding 'que' after 'de'.
De que saberlo, te lo diría.De saberlo, te lo diría.This conditional structure is simply 'de + infinitive'. Adding 'que' — 'De que saberlo' — is ungrammatical; the word 'que' is not needed here. This is not 'dequeísmo', which is the opposite error: wrongly inserting 'de' before 'que', as in 'Pienso de que…'.
How It Connects
Learn This First
The 'de + infinitive' construction is a concise way to express a condition (equivalent to 'if'). To learn this, a learner needs to be familiar with the preposition 'de', the concept of conditional sentences (usually introduced with 'si'), and the conditional tense which typically accompanies these hypothetical statements.
- a/de/en/con/sinBasic Prepositions
The learner must understand the basic preposition 'de' before using it in more complex grammatical constructions.
Foundations - si + Present + Future/PresentReal Si Clauses (Present)
Understanding the basic 'si' (if) conditional structure is necessary to grasp how 'de + infinitive' functions as a shorthand for conditional clauses.
Level 3 - Conditional for Hypotheticals
Since 'de + infinitive' often introduces a hypothetical condition, the learner needs to understand the conditional tense used in the main clause of such sentences.
Level 3
Related Patterns
- si + Imperfect Subjunctive + ConditionalUnreal Si Clauses (Present)
This is the most common structure that 'de + infinitive' replaces. Both express a hypothetical condition in the present or future. 'De + infinitive' is often considered a more concise or formal alternative.
Level 4 - -ía/-ías/-ía/-íamos/-íais/-ían (condicional)Conditional Tense
The conditional tense is typically used in the main clause that follows the 'de + infinitive' phrase to describe the hypothetical outcome of an unreal condition.
Level 3 - al + InfinitiveUpon/When Doing
Both are 'preposition + infinitive' structures, but they have different meanings. 'De + infinitive' expresses a condition ('if'), while 'al + infinitive' expresses time ('upon' or 'when').
Level 1 - para + InfinitiveIn Order to
Another 'preposition + infinitive' structure. It's important to distinguish 'de + infinitive' (condition) from 'para + infinitive', which expresses purpose or goal ('in order to').
Level 1
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice de + Infinitive in Bubblegum
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