DELE B2 Si Clauses Spanish: Practice Test & Review
Si clauses are the backbone of B2 hypothetical language. They come in three types, and each type pairs a different tense in the si clause with a matching tense in the main clause. Getting the pairing wrong is the single most common B2 grammar error.
This page gives you a five-part practice quiz: an evaluation set to see where you stand, three practice sets to drill each type, and a challenge set to confirm mastery. The grammar review below covers all three types, the tense pairings, and the errors that cost points on the exam.
Si clauses appear in every B2 reading and listening passage that involves conditions, hypotheses, or advice. Master the three pairings and you can handle any conditional sentence the exam throws at you. Ready? Start with the evaluation set below.
Grammar Guide
The Rule
Si clauses express conditions. Spanish has three types, and each type pairs a specific tense in the si clause with a matching tense in the main clause. The pairing is fixed — you cannot mix tenses across types. Type 1 handles real, possible conditions. Type 2 handles unreal or hypothetical present conditions. Type 3 handles impossible past conditions.
The Three Types
| Type | Si clause | Main clause | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type 1 | Present indicative | Present, future, or imperative | Real condition |
| Type 2 | Imperfect subjunctive | Conditional simple | Unreal present condition |
| Type 3 | Pluperfect subjunctive | Conditional perfect | Impossible past condition |
The si clause never takes the present subjunctive, the future, or the conditional. That is the core rule.
Type 1 — Real Conditions
The condition is real or likely. The si clause uses the present indicative, and the main clause uses the present, future, or imperative.
| Si clause | Main clause | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Present indicative | Future | Si tengo tiempo, iré. | If I have time, I will go. |
| Present indicative | Present | Si tienes hambre, come. | If you’re hungry, eat. |
| Present indicative | Imperative | Si quieres, ven. | If you want, come. |
Type 1 is about conditions that could realistically happen. The speaker is not imagining an unreal situation.
Type 2 — Unreal Present Conditions
The condition is hypothetical or contrary to fact in the present. The si clause uses the imperfect subjunctive, and the main clause uses the conditional simple.
| Si clause | Main clause | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Imperfect subjunctive | Conditional simple | Si tuviera dinero, viajaría. | If I had money, I would travel. |
The speaker does not have money. The condition is unreal in the present. Note that the si clause takes the imperfect subjunctive, never the conditional.
Type 3 — Impossible Past Conditions
The condition is impossible because it refers to a past that cannot be changed. The si clause uses the pluperfect subjunctive, and the main clause uses the conditional perfect.
| Si clause | Main clause | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pluperfect subjunctive | Conditional perfect | Si hubiera sabido, habría venido. | If I had known, I would have come. |
The speaker did not know. The past cannot be changed. The si clause takes the pluperfect subjunctive, and the main clause takes the conditional perfect.
Mixed Conditionals
Sometimes the condition is in the past but the result is in the present, or vice versa. These are called mixed conditionals, and they combine Type 2 and Type 3.
| Si clause | Main clause | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pluperfect subjunctive | Conditional simple | Si hubiera estudiado, ahora tendría un buen trabajo. | If I had studied, I would have a good job now. |
| Imperfect subjunctive | Conditional perfect | Si fuera más valiente, habría aceptado. | If I were braver, I would have accepted. |
Mixed conditionals are B2 material. They appear in exam reading passages when the condition and the result fall in different time frames.
Fixed Expressions
| Expression | Meaning | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Si yo fuera tú… | If I were you… | Type 2, advice |
| Si tuviera que elegir… | If I had to choose… | Type 2 |
| Como si + imperfect subjunctive | As if… | Always imperfect subjunctive |
| Si hubiera sabido… | If I had known… | Type 3, regret |
| Si no fuera por… | If it weren’t for… | Type 2 |
Common Mistakes
Using conditional in the si clause.
Incorrect: Si tendría dinero, viajaría.
Correct: Si tuviera dinero, viajaría.
The si clause never takes the conditional. Type 2 requires the imperfect subjunctive.
Using present subjunctive in the si clause.
Incorrect: Si tenga tiempo, iré.
Correct: Si tengo tiempo, iré.
The si clause takes the present indicative, not the present subjunctive.
Mixing Type 2 and Type 3 tenses.
Incorrect: Si hubiera sabido, vendría.
Correct: Si hubiera sabido, habría venido.
The Type 3 si clause requires the conditional perfect in the main clause.
Using the future in the si clause.
Incorrect: Si tendré tiempo, iré.
Correct: Si tengo tiempo, iré.
The si clause never takes the future.
Quick Decision Chart
| Ask yourself | Answer | Form |
|---|---|---|
| Is the condition real or likely? | Yes | Type 1: present indicative + future |
| Is the condition unreal in the present? | Yes | Type 2: imperfect subjunctive + conditional |
| Is the condition impossible in the past? | Yes | Type 3: pluperfect subjunctive + conditional perfect |
| Is the si clause involved? | Yes | Never use conditional, future, or present subjunctive in the si clause |
| Is the condition past but the result present? | Yes | Mixed: pluperfect subjunctive + conditional simple |
Two Sentences That Show the Difference
Si tengo tiempo, iré al gimnasio.
If I have time, I will go to the gym.
Type 1: real condition. The speaker may or may not have time.
Si tuviera tiempo, iría al gimnasio.
If I had time, I would go to the gym.
Type 2: unreal condition. The speaker does not have time.
Si hubiera tenido tiempo, habría ido al gimnasio.
If I had had time, I would have gone to the gym.
Type 3: impossible past condition. The speaker did not have time, and that cannot change.
Si hubiera estudiado, ahora tendría un buen trabajo.
If I had studied, I would have a good job now.
Mixed: past condition, present result.
