Breakdown of Si hay un problema, este plan está a punto de fallar.
de
from / of
un
a, an (masculine)
el problema
the problem
estar
to be (location/state)
haber
to be (there is / there are)
a
to
el plan
the plan
el punto
the dot / the point
este
this
fallar
to fail (machines, plans) / to crash
si
if
Questions & Answers about Si hay un problema, este plan está a punto de fallar.
How does the phrase está a punto de fallar work?
Since "if there is a problem" is a condition, shouldn't we use the subjunctive form of haber instead of the indicative hay?
No, in Spanish, you never use the present subjunctive directly after the word si (if). When expressing a likely or possible condition like this one, you just use the normal present tense (the indicative).
Why do we say este plan and not esto plan?
Este is the masculine singular word for "this" used right before a noun. You use it here because plan is a masculine singular noun. Esto is the neuter version of "this". It is only used when referring to a general idea, an unnamed object, or an abstract situation, and it never goes right next to a noun.
Just a refresher: why is it un problema when the word ends in "a"?
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