Second conditional — unreal present/future
Meaning
We use the second conditional to talk about imaginary or unlikely situations in the present or future and their results.
- If we had a country house, we would go there every weekend.
- Would you travel more if you won the lottery?
Form
| Part | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| If-clause | if + past simple (or were) | If I had more time… / If he were richer… |
| Main clause | would / could / might + base verb | …I would learn Italian. / …we could buy a car. |
| Negative | wouldn’t + base verb | If it rained, we wouldn’t go. |
| Questions | Would + subject + base verb … if …? | Would you move if you found a better job? |
⚠️ Don’t use would in the if-clause: *If I would have time… → If I had time…
Word order & commas
- If I won the lottery, I’d buy a yacht. comma ✓
- I’d buy a yacht if I won the lottery. no comma ✓
unless = if (not)
- I wouldn’t drive there unless I had a 4×4.
- = I wouldn’t drive there if I didn’t have a 4×4.
Would / could / might
- would → result in general: It would be expensive.
- could → ability/possibility: We could save money.
- might → weaker possibility: He might change his mind.
Was or were?
- Both are possible in spoken English: If he was/were here, he’d help.
- Use were in the set phrase If I were you (giving advice):
If I were you, I’d stay at home and rest.
Quick examples
- Plan: If we lived nearer, we would visit more often.
- Ability: If I spoke Japanese, I could work in Tokyo.
- Possibility: We might buy it if it was/were cheaper.
- Negative: If it snowed, the flight wouldn’t leave.
Exercises:
Second conditional: Unreal situations
Choose the correct form to complete the sentences below.
1
I’d lend you the car if I
it this weekend.
2
If he
more organized, he would meet his deadlines.
3
What
you do if you lost your phone abroad?
4
If we
a bigger budget, we could hire two more developers.
5
I
the concert if tickets weren’t so expensive.
6
If it
tomorrow, we would still go hiking.
7
If you
earlier, we wouldn’t be late.
8
If I
you, I would apologize immediately.
9
She
happier if she worked less at weekends.
10
Would you move to another country if you
a great remote job?
Second conditional: Unreal situations
Choose the correct form for each gap below.
1
If I ____ you, I wouldn’t trust him.
A.
B.
C.
2
If we didn’t take any precautions, we ____ definitely get hurt.
A.
B.
C.
3
You ____ healthier if you lost a bit of weight.
A.
B.
C.
4
If she ____ earlier, she would be on time.
A.
B.
C.
5
I ____ travel more if flights were cheaper.
A.
B.
C.
6
If flights ____ cheaper, I would travel more.
A.
B.
C.
7
If I ____ enough savings, I’d buy a small house.
A.
B.
C.
8
What ____ you do if you won the lottery?
A.
B.
C.
9
If the company offered remote work, more people ____ definitely apply.
A.
B.
C.
10
If he didn’t live so far away, he ____ us more often.
A.
B.
C.
Second conditional: Unreal situations
Fill in the gaps with the verb in brackets with would/wouldn’t or in past simple to complete the following second conditional sentences.
1
What (you/do)
if you (win)
a free round-the-world ticket?
2
If I (be) you,
I (not/quit) this job.
3
She (help) more people
if she (have) more time.
4
If he (know) the answer,
he (tell) us.
5
We (buy) a house
if prices (be) lower.
6
If they (not/live) so far away,
we (visit) them more often.
7
I (lend) you the car
if I (not/need) it tomorrow.
8
If the weather (be) warmer,
we (have) a picnic.
9
She (travel) more
if she (earn) more money.
10
If you (see) a wallet on the street,
what (you/do) ?