Conditional Progressive

Start first lesson

1. Conjugation of Estar

12 questions

2. Forming the Present Participle

16 questions

3. Conditional Progressive

10 questions

4. Comprehensive Review

Explanation

Quick Answer

In Spanish, the conditional progressive tense, also called the conditional continuous tense, is used to talk about something that would be happening if some other event were to occur.

examples
Si por mí fuera, ahora mismo estaríamos cenando en aquel puesto de tacos. If it were up to me, we'd be having dinner at that taco stand right now.

examples

Si por mí fuera, ahora mismo estaríamos cenando en aquel puesto de tacos.

If it were up to me, we'd be having dinner at that taco stand right now.

How to Form the Conditional Progressive

The conditional progressive is formed using the verb estar(to be) in the conditional, plus a present participle.

Conditional Progressive Formula

estar in conditional + present participle

Let's review the conjugation of estar in the conditional and the formation of present participles!

Estar in the Conditional

Subject	Spanish	English
yo	estaría	I would be
tú	estarías	you would be
él, ella, usted	estaría	he/she/you would be
nosotros	estaríamos	we would be
vosotros	estaríais	you would be
ellos, ellas, ustedes	estarían	they would be; you would be

Forming Present Participles

Regular present participles are formed as follows:

Present Participle of -ar verb

verb stem + -ando

(Example: hablando

Present Participle of -er or -ir verb

verb stem + -iendo

(Examples: escribiendo, comiendo

Learn more about regular and irregular present participles here!

Examples of the Conditional Progressive

Now that you know how to form the conditional progressive, check out these examples of the conditional progressive.

examples
Ya estarían pisando tierra colombiana si hubiera salido a tiempo su vuelo. You'd be on Colombian soil by now if your flight had taken off on time.
Si hubieras ido a la fiesta, estarías bailando cumbia en este momento. If you'd gone to the party, you'd be dancing cumbia right now.
Estaría pidiéndote que me des de tu pastel si no estuviera a dieta. I'd be asking you for some of your cake if I weren't on a diet.