The Conditional Perfect in Spanish is used to talk about hypothetical situations in the past—things that could have happened but didn’t. It allows speakers to express regret, speculation, or imagined outcomes.
Formation
The Conditional Perfect is formed using the conditional tense of the auxiliary verb "haber" plus the past participle of the main verb.
Structure
- Haber (Conditional) + Past Participle
Conjugation of "Haber"
| Person | Conjugation |
|---|---|
| Yo | habría |
| Tú | habrías |
| Él/Ella/Usted | habría |
| Nosotros/as | habríamos |
| Vosotros/as | habríais |
| Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes | habrían |
Examples
- Yo habría estudiado más.
- Tú habrías comido antes de salir.
- Él habría visto la película.
- Nosotros habríamos viajado a España.
- Vosotros habríais terminado el proyecto.
- Ellos habrían comprado la casa.
Common Uses
- Expressing Regret or Missed Opportunities
- Speculating About Past Events
- Imagining Different Outcomes
Practice Sentences
Translate the following sentences into Spanish:
- He would have called you if he had known.
- They would have gone to the party.
- We would have finished the work on time.
- You (formal) would have told me the truth.
- She would have worn the dress.
The Conditional Perfect is an essential tool for discussing what might have been in the past, providing nuance and depth to your expressions in Spanish.