Future tense not possible with ''si'' as if?

Question

Hello!

I'm studying Spanish and I'm reading barron's 501 Spanish verb book and it claims: '' Remember that the future is never used in Spanish after ''si'' when ''si'' means if''.

Is this true? because I myself have used many times si with a future tense. Example:

-Si tengo dinero comprare un coche. Is this wrong? or should I use the conditional tense? im really lost, if someone could help me and sort this out for me.

Thanks

Welcome to the forum , we want to help you so fill out your profile If you have a problem PM a mod Bienvenido al foro. Queremos ayudarle, entonces hay que llenar su perfil. Si hay un problema, envíe un mensaje personal (PM) - ray76, Aug 29, 2016

Answer 1

"Si tengo dinero, compraré un coche" is correct! Remember there is an accent on the letter "e" in compraré.

What you can NOT do is say "Si tendré dinero, compro un carro". Future tense can't go right after the si. If you think about it, in English we never say "If I will..."

**You could also use the conditional tense, but in English it would mean: "If I had/did have/were to have money, I would buy a car" instead of "If I have money, I will buy a car".

**Conditional tense is used with imperfect subjunctive and not the present tense.

Good answer. :) - bosquederoble, Aug 29, 2016

¡Buenísima respuesta! - 005faa61, Aug 29, 2016

Answer 2

Exactly as Ramona said.

We can also say this type of sentence with both verbs in present tense while meaning future action, but context is needed to indicate future, ie: El próximo mes si tengo dinero, me compro un coche. This sentence structure has a very definite nuance.

Answer 3

Thank you Ramona and Julian you guys really saved my day! Awesome to have such a quick replies and great info in Spanishdict!

Kind regards, Wafa Saloum