Second conditional

Second conditional

Form

​The Second Conditional: If + past Simple, would / could + base verb

If I didn't have to work tonight, I would come with you to the party.

Multiple Choice

We can exchange the order of the clauses in a second conditional sentence:

Ex. If they liked pizza, we could take them to an Italian restaurant.

We could take them to an Italian restaurant if they liked pizza.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

The meaning of the sentences doesn't change if we change the order of the clauses.

What about the way we write them?

• There is no change.

• There are changes.

The difference is in the comma

If they liked pizza, we could take them to an Italian restaurant.

We could take them to an Italian resturant if they liked pizza.

Use

The Second Conditional is used in English for two reasons:

1. Unreal situations

2. Unlikely situations

It is important to understand that using this grammar gives information about the speaker's opinion.

If it rained donuts, I would eat them.

If the speaker uses First Conditional, they mean the situation is real, possible or likely in their opinion.

If the speaker uses Second Conditional, they mean they think the situation is unreal, impossible or unlikely.

First Conditional

If I see that movie, I will cry.

• This means the speaker thinks the action see is real, possible or likely.

Second Conditional

If I saw that movie, I would cry.

• This means the speaker thinks the action see is unreal, impossible or unlikely.

Fill in the Blanks

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct verbs to complete the second conditional sentence:

I _____ (stop smoking) if I ______ (get) sick.

• stopped smoking/ got

• would stop smoking/ would get

• would stop smoking/ got

• stopped smoking/ would get

If I went to France with you tomorrow, I would have a wonderful time.

Future

If he had a brother, he would have someone to play with.

Present

The Second Conditional is used for both present and future meanings:

Multiple Choice

She would love the food if she came to the restaurant with us tonight.

• Present meaning

• Future meaning

Multiple Choice

She would love this food if she were here with us.

• Present meaning

• Future meaning

Multiple Choice

Verb to be

Choose the correct form of the verb to be to complete the second conditional.

If I _____ you, I wouldn't do that,

• was

• were

• be

• am

When we use the Second Conditional, the past tense of be is were.

In less formal English, some people say was, but many grammar teachers believe this is not good grammar.

If I were you, I would buy a nicer present for your mother.

He would laugh if he were here.

She wouldn't understand if she were here.

Multiple Choice

A: Can you help me move this weekend?

B: I would help you if I had time.

• This means: Yes, I will help you.

• This means: I will not help you because I don't have time.

It is also common to use the Second Conditional to talk about the opposite of the truth.

If we use the Second Conditional to talk about the opposite of the truth, we can understand the truth because of the use of the second conditional. Remember, one use of the Second Conditional is to talk about things that are not real.

​Wow, I love that car! I would buy it if I had money.

This means: I will not buy it because I don't have the money.

Multiple Choice

I would be really lonely if I didn't have my friends.

• This means: I am not lonely because I have my friends.

• This means: I am lonely because I don't have friends.

Now, let's do some practice

Multiple Choice

If I _______ you, I ________ that.

• had been/ wouldn't do

• was/ didn't do

• were/ woudln't did

• were/ wouldn't do

Multiple Choice

If pigs ____________ on the sky, I __________ one as pet.

• flew/ have

• flew/ would have

• flown/ would have

• would fly/ had

Multiple Choice

They would go on holidays with us if they ........ to buy the tickets.

• had enough money

• can afford

• have money

• couldn't afford

Multiple Choice

He ............ if he had better qualifications.

• 'd earn more money

• made more money

• would make less money

• 'd found a better job

The end