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Unit 13
Second Conditional
if + past / would
What is the Second Conditional?
The Second Conditional describes unreal, hypothetical, or imaginary situations — things that are not true now or are unlikely to happen. It is used to express dreams, wishes, give advice, and imagine different circumstances.
If I had a million dollars, I'd buy a house by the sea. — (I don't have a million dollars — it's imaginary.)
Form
| Type | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Affirmative | If + Past Simple, + would + base verb | If I had more time, I 'd learn Spanish. |
| Negative | If + Past Simple, + wouldn't + base verb | If she didn't work so much, she 'd be happier. |
| Question | What / Where + would + subject + base verb + if...? | What would you do if you won the lottery? |
Four Key Uses
| Use | Explanation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Unreal present/future | Things not true now or unlikely to happen | If I had wings, I'd fly. |
| Imaginary conditions | Hypothetical "what if" situations | If I lived near the beach, I'd swim every day. |
| Giving advice | "If I were you" + suggestion | If I were you, I'd see a doctor. |
| Dreams & wishes | Expressing desires about impossible things | If I won the lottery, I'd travel the world. |
Were vs Was — The Formal Rule
In standard and formal English, use were for all subjects in the if-clause of the Second Conditional — even with I, he, she, it. Was is acceptable in informal speech.
| Standard / formal | Informal (spoken) |
|---|---|
| If I were you, I'd quit. | If I was you, I'd quit. |
| If he were taller, he'd join the team. | If he was taller, he'd join. |
| If it were possible, I'd do it. | If it was possible, I'd do it. |
| If I were you is a fixed expression — always "were" |
First vs Second Conditional
| First Conditional | Second Conditional |
|---|---|
| Real and possible | Unreal or imaginary |
| If + Present Simple → will | If + Past Simple → would |
| If it rains, we 'll stay home. | If it rained, we 'd stay home. |
| Situation is likely / possible | Situation is unlikely / hypothetical |
| I might actually have time. | I don't have time — it's imaginary. |
Variations — Could & Might
Would can be replaced by could (ability) or might (possibility) in the result clause.
- If I had more money, I could travel abroad. (= ability)
- If we lived closer, we might meet more often. (= possibility)
- If I knew her, I would/might/could help her.
Likely or Unlikely? The Speaker Decides
The same situation can be First or Second Conditional. It depends on how likely the speaker thinks it is:
| First Conditional (I think it's possible) | Second Conditional (I think it's unlikely / imaginary) |
|---|---|
| If I get the job, I'll move to Ankara. | If I got the job, I'd move to Ankara. (I don't expect to.) |
| If she calls, I'll tell her. | If she called, I'd tell her. (She probably won't.) |
| — | If I won the lottery... (very unlikely) |
Other Useful Patterns
- What if / Suppose + Past Simple: What if you lost your job? · Suppose you met a famous person, what would you say?
- Polite requests: It would be great if you could help me.
- Advice: I wouldn't do that if I were you.
Annotated Examples
Subject
Verb
Auxiliary
Object
Adjective
Adverb
Preposition
Hover over any word to see its role.
IfverbI hadobjectmore time,subjectIverb'd learnobjectSpanish.
↳ Second Conditional — imaginary present: I don't have time.
IfverbI wereobjectyou,subjectIverb'd seeobjecta doctor.
↳ Advice using "If I were you" — fixed expression.
Whatverbwould you doifverbyou wonobjectthe lottery?
↳ Second Conditional question — hypothetical situation.
Common Mistakes
If I will see her, I'll tell her.
→
If I see her, I'll tell her. (real) / If I saw her, I'd tell her. (unlikely)
Never "will" in the if-clause. Real → Present Simple + will; unlikely/unreal → Past Simple + would.
If he would study, he'd pass.
→
If he studied, he'd pass.
No "would" in the if-clause — use Past Simple.
If I have time, I would help.
→
If I had time, I'd help.
Past Simple in the if-clause: had (not have).
If she lived closer, she will visit us.
→
If she lived closer, she'd visit us.
Result clause: would (not will) in Second Conditional.
If I was you, I'll do it.
→
If I were you, I'd do it.
"If I were you" is the standard form + would in result.
What would you do if you will win?
→
What would you do if you won?
Past Simple in the if-clause.