Por si introduces a possibility for which someone takes a precaution.

The idea

Use por si plus the present indicative for a possible situation: llevo un paraguas por si llueve.

Examples

  • Llevo un paraguas por si llueve.I take an umbrella in case it rains.
  • Salimos temprano por si ellos cierran la carretera.We leave early in case they close the road.
  • Ella apunta el número por si necesita ayuda.She writes down the number in case she needs help.
  • Lleva un jersey por si hace frío.Take a sweater in case it gets cold.
  • Traigo un mapa por si no funciona el teléfono.I bring a map in case the phone doesn't work.
  • Ellos traen agua por si la necesitas.They bring water in case you need it.

Read-aloud uses a synthetic Spanish voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.

Watch out

The present after por si can refer to a future possibility; it does not mean the event is happening now.

Try it yourself

  1. Choose the present indicative form for rain. Llevo un paraguas por si ___. (llueve / llueva)

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    llueve

    Llueve is the present indicative form used for rain.

  2. Choose the present indicative form for they. Salimos temprano por si ellos ___ la carretera. (cierran / cierren)

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    cierran

    Cierran is the present indicative plural form for they.

  3. Choose the present indicative form for tú. Traen agua por si tú la ___. (necesitas / necesites)

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    necesitas

    Necesitas is the present indicative form for tú.

Use it today

Choose the present indicative form that matches the subject after por si.