Explanation
Exercises

🧠 Second Conditional (Unreal Present/Future)

Use it for imaginary, unlikely, or contrary-to-fact situations now or in the future.
Form: If + past simple, would + base verb Also: could/might in the main clause Were with I/he/she/it (formal) Advice: If I were you, … Comma after the if-clause (when it comes first)
🧩Structure
IF-CLAUSE if + past simple (past form, present/unreal meaning)
  • If we had a garden, we’d grow tomatoes.
  • If she knew your number, she’d call.
MAIN CLAUSE would + base verb (or could/might + base)
  • … we would go every weekend.
  • … he could find a better job.
  • … they might invite us.
Negatives & questions
  • I wouldn’t buy it if it were that expensive.
  • Would you move abroad if you had the chance?
🧠Use & meaning
  • Imaginary present: If I were rich, I would travel the world. (I’m not rich.)
  • Unlikely future: If it snowed in July, people would panic.
  • Advice: If I were you, I’d speak to a lawyer.
ℹ️
Were vs was: In formal English use were after I/he/she/it (If I were you). In everyday speech, was is common (If I was late…), but If I were you is fixed.
Comma
  • If-clause first: If it rained, we’d stay in. ✅ (comma)
  • Main clause first: We’d stay in if it rained. ✅ (no comma)
🔬First vs Second Conditional

First (real possibility)

  • If it rains, we will stay home. 🌧️ → It might actually rain.

Second (unreal/hypothetical)

  • If it rained in July here, people would be shocked. → Very unlikely.
✅Natural examples
  • If our flat were bigger, we would host the party.
  • If she studied more, she could pass easily.
  • If you didn’t drive so fast, you wouldn’t get tickets.
  • I’d help if I had more time.
Contractions
  • I’d / you’d / he’d = would; wouldn’t = would not.
🚫Common mistakes
  • ❌ If I would know → ✅ If I knew, I would tell you.
  • ❌ Future in the if-clause: If you will come → ✅ If you came, we’d celebrate.
  • ❌ Comma after main-clause-first: We’d leave, if it rained → ✅ We’d leave if it rained.
  • Talking about an unreal past? Use the third conditional: If I had known, I would have called.
✨Variations you can use
  • Might for possibility: If he trained more, he might win.
  • Polite requests/suggestions: If you could send the file today, I’d appreciate it.
  • Continuous: If I were working from home, I’d be happier.
  • Object questions still use would: Who would you invite if you won?
Recap: If + past simple (unreal condition) + would/could/might + base (result). Use a comma only when the if-clause comes first. Prefer were in If I were you and in formal style. 🌟
Exercises:
1
2
3

Second conditional

Choose the correct forms to complete the second conditional sentences below. But be careful; there is ONE first conditional sentence, too.
1
If I more time, I a new language.
2
What would you do if you a wallet in the street?
3
If she taller, she the top shelf.
4
If we by the sea, we swimming every morning.
5
I him if I his number.
6
If it , we a picnic.
7
I wouldn’t drink that milk if I you.
8
If you me, what you do?
9
If she early, she us for dinner.
10
They so much if the internet properly.

Second conditional

Choose the correct forms to complete the second conditional sentences below. But be careful; there is ONE first conditional sentence, too.
1
If I were taller, I ____ basketball better.
A.
B.
C.
2
If she ____ more time, she would travel around the world.
A.
B.
C.
3
What would you do if your phone ____ on the trip?
A.
B.
C.
4
If it ____ cheaper, we would buy two tickets.
A.
B.
C.
5
If they lived closer, they ____ us more often.
A.
B.
C.
6
I wouldn’t change the plan unless it ____ a serious problem.
A.
B.
C.
7
If we ____ a car, we could leave right now.
A.
B.
C.
8
If you were me, what ____?
A.
B.
C.
9
She ____ if she knew the answer.
A.
B.
C.
10
You’ll miss the bus if you ____ now.
A.
B.
C.

Second conditional

Complete the sentences. Use Past Simple in the if-clause and would/’d or wouldn’t/would not/’d not + verb in the main clause.
1
If Mia were here, she what to do. (know)
2
I my job if I had enough savings. (quit)
3
If it so often, we would plan more picnics. (not/rain)
4
They more if tickets were cheaper. (travel)
5
If you more patient, you would make fewer mistakes. (be)
6
If we his number, we would call him. (know)
7
She an electric car if it cost less. (buy)
8
If I so busy, I would join you for lunch. (not/be)
9
We the offer if the hours were longer. (not/take)
10
If they lived closer, we them every week. (see)