Si el proyector no funciona, usaré la pizarra.

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Breakdown of Si el proyector no funciona, usaré la pizarra.

• usar: to use
• la pizarra: the board
• funcionar: to work (to function)

Questions & Answers about Si el proyector no funciona, usaré la pizarra.

Why is it si and not sí?

Because si without an accent means if.

Sí with an accent means yes.

So in this sentence, Si el proyector no funciona... means If the projector doesn’t work..., not Yes, the projector...

Why is funciona in the present tense instead of a future form?

After si meaning if, Spanish normally uses the present tense for real or possible future situations.

So Spanish says:

Si el proyector no funciona, usaré la pizarra.

Literally, that is like: If the projector doesn’t work, I will use the board.

English often uses the present tense after if too, so this pattern is actually quite similar:

• If it rains, I’ll stay home.
• Si llueve, me quedaré en casa.

What Spanish does not normally say here is:

• Si el proyector no funcionará... ❌

Why is usaré in the future tense?

Usaré is the first-person singular future of usar, meaning I will use.

The speaker is talking about what they will do in response to a possible situation:

• If the projector doesn’t work, I will use the board.

So the structure is:

• Si + present tense
• future tense in the main clause

That is a very common pattern for real future conditions in Spanish.