Potencial - Spanish Conditional - Usage

The conditional is a verb mood used for actions that are not guaranteed to occur; often they are dependent on certain conditions. It is translated as would in English.

Uses:

1. Talking about what one expects or says will happen: Past tense + conditional

Paco dijo que vendría - Paco said he would come.
Yo pensaba que trabajaríamos - I thought we would work.

2. Probability or conjuecture in the past

Sería las ocho - It was probably eight o'clock.
Ana olvidaría - Ana probably forgot.

3. The verb querer is used in the conditional to express a polite request

Quería ir con Ud. - I would like to go with you.
Queríamos unos libros - We would like some books.

4. The verb gustarse is used to express a polite desire, sometimes one that cannot be fulfilled

Me gustaría verlo - I would like to see it.
Le gustaría venir, pero tiene que trabajar - He would like to come, but he has to work.

5. Si (if, then) clauses

Si tuviera dinero, iría contigo. - If I had money, I would go with you. 

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