SECOND CONDITIONAL

 

WHEN DO WE USE SECOND CONDITIONAL ?

We use SECOND CONDITIONAL for talking about unreal situations in the present or future and their potential results.

IMPORTANT POINTS.

1) The order can be reversed without changing the meaning 

2) The main clause tipically used is WOULD, but other modals can be used like COULD, MIGHT or SHOULD

3) Questions in the IF clause use the past simple, questions in the main clause use WOULD or another modal verb.

4)In the second conditional, the past simple is used in the condition clause. If the be verb is being used, it is typical to use were in more formal contexts. If you’re speaking informally though, was is more usual.

EXAMPLE:

Formal: If I were you, I would drink more water. 

Informal: If I was you, I wouldn’t stay out so late.

STRUCTURE.

if+subject+past simple+,+subject+would+base verb

EXAMPLES

1)If I won the lottery, I would buy the house of my dreams.

2)If they were in our shoes, they would do the same thing.

3)If we didn’t have to go to school, we could go to the match

4)What would you do if you found a wallet full of money in the street?

5)If you lived in town, we could see each other every day.

6)If I had to take a wish, I would choose to see the Northern Lights.

7)You would do better at school if you didn’t watch so much television.

8)It would be so much more fun if my friends were here.

9)Kevin could apply for the position if he were better qualified.

10)If there were another world war, the whole world would be destroyed.

11)The children could be playing in the garden if the weather weren’t so miserable.

12)Supposing you bumped into your favorite actor, what would you do?

13)If I could live somewhere else, I might choose a beach town.

14)John would take the day off today if he could.

15)If I had her telephone number, I could contact Grace.

INTERACTIVE ATIVITIES.

1) If I ______(be) you, I ______(get) a new job.

2) If he______ (be) younger, he______ (travel) more.

3) If we______ (not/be) friends, I______ (be) angry with you.

4) If I ______(have) enough money, I______ (buy) a big house.

5) If she______ (not/be) always so late, she______ (be) promoted.

6) If we______ (win) the lottery, we______ (travel) the world.

7) If you______ (have) a better job, we______ (be) able to buy a new car.

8) If I______ (speak) perfect English, I______ (have) a good job

9) If we______ (live) in Mexico, I______ (speak) Spanish.

10) If she______ (pass) the exam, she______ (be) able to enter university.

11) She______ (be) happier if she______ (have) more friends.

12) We______ (buy) a house if we______ (decide) to stay here.

13) They______ (have) more money if they______ (not/buy) so many clothes.

14) We______ (come) to dinner if we______ (have) time.

15) She______ (call) him if she______ (have) his number.