Second Conditional

Second

Conditional

Index

1. Introduction

2. Structure

3. Tip

4. Video

5. Practice

Introduction

We use the second conditional when we imagine a situation in the present or future. The situation is unreal, unlikely or impossible.

We describe the unreal situation in the if clause. We talk about the result of that situation in the main clause. (unlikely future situation) (result) If I stole from work, I'd feel bad. (result) (impossible present situation) I'd take a holiday from work if I had more money.

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Structure

Use the past simple (and / or past continuous) in the if clause. We can use Would + infinitive or could + infinitive to talk about the result. If it was raining and I saw a hitchhiker, I'd stop. I could go on more holidays if I had more money. (could = it would be impossible)

Structure

Statements If she crashed my car, I'd be very angry. He wouldn't stop to help if he saw an accident. If you didn't have a job, you couldn't pay the rent. Hollywood wouldn't stop making films if people didn't go to the cinema. I'd give more money to charity if I were rich. Questions and short answers What would you do if you lost your job? If you didn't know the answers, would you cheat? Yes, I would. / No, I wouldn't. Would you buy your child a motorbike? Yes, I would. / No, I wouldn't.

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Tip

When we talk about impossible present situations with be, we usually use it I / he / she were, not If I / he / she was: If I were taller, l'd be better at basketball. We can also use the second conditional to give advice with the phrase If I were you (NOT If I was you): If I were you, I wouldn't park there. (I'm imagining the situation where I'm you.)

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Video

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Practice

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