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“If” (si) constructions

Certain constructions with the word "if" or si can express possible or hypothetical situations. These contrary-to-fact situations are clearly within the realm of unreality, uncertainty, or futurity — all of which we associate with the use of the subjunctive. When sentences conform to a pattern that includes a clause introduced by the word si, followed by a statement that is contrary to fact, one must use a form of the past subjunctive, that is, the imperfect subjunctive or the pluperfect subjunctive. A result clause containing the conditional or conditional perfect tense will either precede or follow the si clause.

The patterns are as follows:

Si + imperfect or pluperfect subjunctive, followed or preceded by a result clause in the conditional or conditional perfect:

Note that the two sides of "'if' constructions" can be inverted.

A variation on the above construction occurs whenever como si (as if) is followed by a verb.

See also

Conditional
Compound tenses
Imperfect
Imperfect subjunctive
Pluperfect
Present
Future
Verbs