second conditional

second conditional or first conditional ?

second conditional: if + past simple, would/wouldn't + infinitive

"If he studied harder, he'd (would) get better marks" "If she had more money she would go to study abroad"

We use second conditional sentences to talk about a hypothetical /imaginary situation in the present or in the future and its consequence.

- we can also use an COULD instead of WOULD: If I had longer holidays I could travel more. - After if we can use was or were after I, she and he ... If the boss were here he would know what to do. - We ofter use conditionals beginning "If I were you I'd (would) ... to give advice, in this case we don't normally say If I was ...

second or first conditional ???

COMPARE: "If I have time, I'll help you with the homework" (1st cond.) "If I had time I'd help you with the homework" (2nd cond.) the first sentence speaks about a possibility that can happen or not whereas the second is an excuse (I will not help you because I have no time, impossible!!)

we use WOULD / WOULDN'T + infinitive without an if clause to talk about imaginary situations:

examples : I'd never live in a very cold country, I can't stand cold weather My ideal holiday would be a month in Australia. I'd never have a big dog in a small flat, I think they neeed space to run

now you practise

https://test-english.com/grammar-points/b1/first-and-second-conditionals/