Other conditional forms: a no ser que, de + infinitive, con tal de que

C1

Grammar path · Lesson 83 of 86 · Stage C1 · Advanced expression

Besides si, Spanish has other ways to set a condition, and you need them at C1 level. a no ser que and a menos que mean 'unless', while con tal de que means 'provided that'. Both always take the subjunctive: Iremos a la playa a no ser que llueva. de + infinitive is a compact way to say a hypothetical si clause: De tener tiempo, iría (= Si tuviera tiempo, iría). The most common mistake is using si with the present subjunctive. Si never takes the present subjunctive, but a no ser que and con tal de que always take the subjunctive.

Practise this lesson · 10 sentences

Form

Unless: a no ser queoración principal + a no ser que + subjuntivo
Iremos a la playa a no ser que llueva.We'll go to the beach unless it rains.
Provided that: con tal de queoración principal + con tal de que + subjuntivo
Te presto el carro con tal de que me lo devuelvas mañana.I'll lend you the car as long as you give it back to me tomorrow.
If (present): de + infinitiveDe + infinitivo, + condicional
De tener más tiempo, aprendería a tocar la guitarra.If I had more time, I would learn to play the guitar.
If (past): de + haber + participleDe + haber + participio, + condicional compuesto
De haberlo sabido, te habría llamado.Had I known, I would have called you.

When to use it

Stating an exception (unless)

Use a no ser que or a menos que when the main clause will happen unless something else gets in the way. The verb after it is always subjunctive.

No te llamo a no ser que surja algún problema.I won't call you unless some problem comes up.
El partido se juega el sábado, a menos que cambien la fecha.The match is being played on Saturday, unless they change the date.

Setting a minimum condition (provided that)

Con tal de que gives the one condition needed for something to happen. If both parts share the same subject, use con tal de + infinitive.

Puedes salir con tal de que vuelvas antes de las once.You can go out as long as you're back before eleven.
Hago lo que sea con tal de aprobar el examen.I'll do whatever it takes to pass the exam.

Short hypothetical conditions

De + infinitive replaces si + imperfect subjunctive, and de + haber + participle is used for the past. It is shorter and slightly more formal.

De ser así, tendríamos que cancelar el viaje.If that's the case, we would have to cancel the trip.
De haber salido antes, no habríamos perdido el vuelo.If we had left earlier, we wouldn't have missed the flight.

Signal words

a no ser quea menos quesalvo quecon tal de quecon tal desiempre queen caso de que

Don't confuse it with

Unreal conditions: si + imperfect subjunctive

De + infinitive can replace si + imperfect subjunctive (De tener dinero = Si tuviera dinero), but only when the subject is clear from context. A no ser que and con tal de que, unlike si, take the present subjunctive for real conditions.

Frequently asked questions

Does a no ser que always take the subjunctive?

Yes. a no ser que is always followed by the subjunctive, as in a no ser que llueva. For the past, use the imperfect subjunctive: a no ser que lloviera.

What is the difference between a no ser que and a menos que?

They both mean 'unless' and are interchangeable. Both take the subjunctive.

When do I use con tal de and when con tal de que?

Use con tal de + infinitive when both parts share the same subject: Hago lo que sea con tal de aprobar. With different subjects, use con tal de que + subjunctive: con tal de que vuelvas temprano.

Which si clause does de + infinitive match?

Simple de + infinitive matches si + imperfect subjunctive: De tener tiempo = Si tuviera tiempo. de + haber + participle matches si + pluperfect subjunctive: De haberlo sabido = Si lo hubiera sabido.

Can I use si no instead of a no ser que?

Usually yes, but the verb mood changes: a no ser que llueva becomes si no llueve. After si you use the indicative, never the present subjunctive.

More in Sentences and connectors

Question words: qué, dónde, cuándo…A1Negation: no, nunca, nada, nadieA1Real conditions: si + presentB1Relative clauses: que, quien, dondeB1Reported speech: dice que…B1Linking words: pero, sin embargo, por esoB1Unreal conditions: si + imperfect subjunctiveB2Past unreal conditions: si hubiera…B2Reported speech in the past: dijo que…B2Relative clauses with prepositions: en el que, con quienB2Cause and concession: como, ya que, a pesar de queB2Sequence of tensesC1Result and purpose: de modo que, a fin de queC1
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