What is the difference between "con tal que" and "con tal de que"?
At different times, it seems I have learned that "con tal de que" is a correct Spanish phrase to use, or that I have learned that "con tal que" is the correct phrase.
The English equivalent that I am familiar with is "provided that". I also know that at least one of these phrases trigger the use of the subjuntive mood in Spanish.
Are both phrases valid in Spanish? If so, is there a difference in their meaning and/or usage?
Which of the above phrases appropriately complete the following sentence?
Celebraremos la boda afuera ________ no llueva.
English is: We will celebrate the wedding outside provided that it doesn't rain.
Thanks, Steve
5 Answers
This is a hard one.
I'll begin to suggest a LINK to a step-by-step instruccions on when to use each one.
Second, the sentence you have to complete, I may say you shouldn't use any of the above.
I think it will be better to use the frase: siempre y cuando (something like as long as).
Celebraremos la boda afuera siempre y cuando no llueva.
And finally, a personal comment: the use of "que" and "de que" is not widely known by almost anyone. That means that in the every-day conversation, you can use both terms without major problems. Almost anyone will object at how it is supposed to be said.
Hope this helps.
In this sentence you can use just the word: "si"
celebraremos la boda afuera si no llueve
I think that when it comes to con tal de the question should be when and when not to follow it with que.
When you use con tal de as a prepositional phrase it should not be followed by que.
A preposition goes before an object, usually a noun but it can also be a pronoun or a verb functioning as a noun, to show the noun's relationship to another word in the sentence.
Eg. El presidente habla en español con tal de ganar votos.
The president is speaking in Spanish in order to win votes.
When you use it as a conjunction, the de is optional but in this case the phrase con tal (de) needs to be followed by que.
A conjunction is a part of speech that connects two words, sentences, phrases or clauses together.
Eg. Con tal de que entre luz en la célula, los electrones se desplazarán fuera de ella.
As long as light flows into the cell, electrons flow out of the cell.
Both variants are correct, Con tal que/Con tal de que.
There are other phrases that have variable structures as well, and all are correct, ie: Así que...../Así es que........./Así es de que........
It's just a matter of personal preference or habit.
" con la condición ( de que ) " could possibly be another choice meaning " provided ( that ) " I must however admit that I favour Julians easy to remember and say " así que " Saludos
