Questions & Answers about Si cierras la llave principal, evitarás que la fuga empeore.
In Spanish, real or likely conditional sentences (Type I) use present indicative in the “si” clause, even when referring to the future. The result clause is the one that can carry the future tense:
• Si cierras la llave, evitarás el problema.
Spanish has two common ways to talk about the future:
- Simple future (evitarás) – often a bit more formal or expresses certainty.
- Periphrastic future (vas a evitar) – very common in spoken language.
Both are correct, e.g.:
• Si cierras la llave, vas a evitar que la fuga empeore.
After verbs that express prevention or avoidance (like evitar), the subordinate clause needs the subjunctive because you’re talking about something you want to prevent from happening, not a fact:
• Evitarás que la fuga empeore.
In everyday Spanish, llave can refer to:
- A key (for a door)
- A tap or valve (for water, gas, etc.)
“La llave principal” in a house/apartment is the main shut-off valve for the water supply.
Yes, you could say:
• Evitarás que la fuga empeore si cierras la llave principal.
Spanish allows both orders. Placing the “si” clause first is very common, but it’s equally correct at the end.