Second Conditional

Exercises

Explanation

Second Conditional – talking about unreal or imaginary situations

When We Use the Second Conditional

We use the Second Conditional to:

• Talk about dreams or wishes

• Give advice

• Imagine different situations

Examples:

• If I had a car, I would drive to the beach.

• If she were taller, she could play basketball.

• If I lived in Italy, I would eat pizza every day.

• If we had more money, we might travel around the world.

• If I were you, I would study harder.

The Structure

Examples:

• If I knew his number, I would call him.

• If it rained tomorrow, we would stay at home.

• If they studied more, they would pass the exam.

Verb “to be” – Always “were”

In the Second Conditional, we use were with all subjects (I, he, she, it, etc.)
Examples:

• If I were rich, I would buy a big house.

• If he were my teacher, I would be happy.

• If she were you, she would take the job.

Using Other Modal Verbs

We can also use could or might instead of would to show possibility.

Negative Form

Add not after would or in the if-clause.

Examples:

• If I were rich, I wouldn’t work every day.

• If he didn’t eat so much sugar, he would be healthier.

• If they weren’t so busy, they would join us.

Question Form

We can make questions in two ways:

1. If + Past Simple, would + subject + verb?

• If you were a teacher, would you enjoy your job?

2. Would + subject + verb if + Past Simple?

• Would you enjoy your job if you were a teacher?

Both have the same meaning.

Punctuation Tip

Use a comma after the if-clause when it comes first:

• If I had wings, I would fly.

No comma when the if-clause comes second:

• I would fly if I had wings. 

Even If

We use even if to make the situation stronger or more emotional.

Examples:

• Even if I won the lottery, I wouldn’t quit my job.

• Even if it snowed, we would still go hiking.