Double Endings
Because conjugating verbs in the future and conditional is very similar, it makes sense to introduce them together. In both sets of conjugations, the verb retains its infinitive ending and takes on an additional ending according to its person and number. What makes things really simple is that -AR, -ER, and -IR verbs share the same set of endings:
In English, these tenses are formed with compound verbs. To form the future tense, you use “will + verb”; to form the conditional, you use “would + verb.” In Spanish, these tenses don't require compound forms. All you need to know are the endings.
Irregular Stem Forms
There is another reason conjugating verbs in the future and the conditional is relatively easy — the few verbs that are irregular vary from the infinitive form, but retain the same regular endings. Furthermore, the same infinitive form change applies to conjugations in both tenses.
infinitive |
future/conditional stem |
English |
caber |
cabr- |
to fit |
decir |
dir- |
to say |
hacer |
har- |
to do |
haber |
habr- |
to have |
poder |
podr- |
to be able to |
poner |
pondr- |
to put |
querer |
querr- |
to want |
saber |
sabr- |
to know |
salir |
saldr- |
to go out |
tener |
tendr- |
to have |
valer |
valdr- |
to be worth |
venir |
vendr- |
to come |
Why do these verbs have irregular stems?
In most irregular verbs, the resulting stem is shorter than the infinitive, making it easier to pronounce. For example, instead of poneré, the conjugation is shortened to pondré (I will put); instead of decirás, the correct form is dirás (you would say).

