DELE A2 Guide: Spanish “Si” Clauses – Present Conditions

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Key Takeaways

• Master the basic si clause structure for realistic conditions
• Learn to use present + present or present + future combinations
• Understand how to talk about likely or realistic situations
• Practice with DELE-focused scenarios for exam success

Welcome to your introduction to Spanish “Si” Clauses. These conditional sentences help you talk about realistic possibilities and likely outcomes. Mastering basic si clauses will allow you to express conditions, make suggestions, and discuss possible future situations – all essential skills for the DELE A2 exam.

What are “Si” Clauses?
“Si” clauses (or conditional sentences) express conditions and their possible results. At the DELE A2 level, we focus on realistic conditions – situations that are likely or possible to happen.

Basic Structure for Realistic Conditions

Pattern: Si + [present tense] , [present tense/future tense]

Type 1: Present + Present
Used for general truths, habits, or automatic results:

Examples:

• “Si hace sol, vamos a la playa.” (If it’s sunny, we go to the beach.)
• “Si tengo hambre, como una fruta.” (If I’m hungry, I eat a fruit.)
• “Si llueve, llevo paraguas.” (If it rains, I carry an umbrella.)

Type 2: Present + Future
Used for specific future possibilities:

Examples:

• “Si estudias, aprobarás el examen.” (If you study, you will pass the exam.)
• “Si tengo tiempo, iré al cine mañana.” (If I have time, I will go to the cinema tomorrow.)
• “Si hace buen tiempo, haremos una barbacoa.” (If the weather is nice, we will have a barbecue.)

Key Rules for DELE A2

1. No Future After “Si”:

• ✅ “Si tengo tiempo, iré.” (If I have time, I will go.)
• ❌ “Si tendré tiempo, iré.”

2. Comma Placement:

• When si clause comes first, use a comma:
  “Si llueve, no salgo.”
• When result comes first, no comma:
  “No salgo si llueve.”

3. Realistic Conditions Only:
At A2 level, we only deal with possible/likely situations, not hypothetical ones.

Common Sentence Patterns

Offering Help:

• “Si necesitas ayuda, avísame.” (If you need help, let me know.)
• “Si quieres, puedo ayudarte.” (If you want, I can help you.)

Making Plans:

• “Si termino pronto, te llamo.” (If I finish early, I’ll call you.)
• “Si no llueve, salimos.” (If it doesn’t rain, we’ll go out.)

Giving Advice:

• “Si tienes frío, ponte un abrigo.” (If you’re cold, put on a coat.)
• “Si estás cansado, descansa.” (If you’re tired, rest.)

DELE A2 Practical Scenarios

Daily Decisions:

• “Si tengo sueño, me acuesto temprano.” (If I’m sleepy, I go to bed early.)
• “Si hay tráfico, tomo el metro.” (If there’s traffic, I take the subway.)

Social Plans:

• “Si vienes a la fiesta, trae algo de beber.” (If you come to the party, bring something to drink.)
• “Si llegas tarde, avísame.” (If you arrive late, let me know.)

Work and Study:

• “Si termino el trabajo, salgo temprano.” (If I finish the work, I’ll leave early.)
• “Si entiendes la lección, puedes ayudar a los demás.” (If you understand the lesson, you can help the others.)

Important Grammar Notes

1. Verb Combinations:

• Si + present, present (general/habitual)
• Si + present, future (specific future)
• Si + present, imperative (suggestions/commands)

2. Negative Sentences:

• “Si no estudias, no aprobarás.” (If you don’t study, you won’t pass.)
• “Si no hace sol, no vamos.” (If it’s not sunny, we don’t go.)

3. Question Forms:

• “¿Irás al parque si hace buen tiempo?” (Will you go to the park if the weather is nice?)
• “¿Qué haces si tienes frío?” (What do you do if you’re cold?)

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Using Future After “Si”:

• ✅ “Si tengo dinero, compraré un coche.”
• ❌ “Si tendré dinero, compraré un coche.”

2. Wrong Comma Usage:

• ✅ “Si llueve, me quedo en casa.”
• ✅ “Me quedo en casa si llueve.”

3. Confusing with Other Structures:

• “Si puedo, voy.” (If I can, I go.)
• “Cuando puedo, voy.” (When I can, I go.)

DELE A2 Exam Tips

1. Speaking Section: Use si clauses when discussing plans and possibilities
2. Writing Section: Show you can create complex sentences with conditions
3. Listening Section: Recognize conditional situations in conversations
4. Key Contexts: Making plans, giving advice, discussing possibilities

Memory Tips

• SI + PRESENTE → PRESENTE/FUTURO
• Never use future after si
• Realistic conditions only at A2 level
• Comma when si clause comes first

Practice Exercise
Complete these sentences:

1. “Si ___ (tener) tiempo, ___ (ir) al cine.”
2. “Si ___ (hacer) frío, ___ (ponerse) un abrigo.”
3. “Si ___ (llover), no ___ (salir).”

(Answers: 1. tengo, iré; 2. hace, ponte; 3. llueve, salgo)

Next Step: Test Your Knowledge!
Ready to master “si” clauses?

Take our DELE A2 “Si” Clauses Quiz here to ensure you’re prepared for the exam.

What’s Next in Your DELE A2 Journey?

• Ready for more verb practice? Review DELE A2 Present Tense
• Need future tense? Study DELE A2 Future Tense
• Want related topics? Learn DELE A2 Verbs with Prepositions
• Practice all A2 grammar? Return to DELE A2 Grammar Hub

Looking for a deeper dive?
This guide covers the essentials for the DELE A2 exam. If you want to explore hypothetical conditions, past conditional structures, and more complex “si” clause patterns, check out our complete guide: Spanish “Si” Clauses: The Complete Guide

Master basic “si” clauses and you’ll be able to discuss possibilities and conditions with confidence in Spanish!