The document discusses the second conditional in English grammar. The second conditional uses "if" with the past simple tense, followed by "would" and an infinitive verb. It has two main uses: to talk about unlikely future possibilities and to discuss present impossibilities. An example is provided for each use. The key difference between the first and second conditional is that the second conditional refers to events that are less likely or possible to occur. An exercise is included for learners to practice forming second conditional sentences.
The document discusses the second conditional in English grammar. The second conditional uses "if" with the past simple tense, followed by "would" and an infinitive verb. It has two main uses: to talk about unlikely future possibilities and to discuss present impossibilities. An example is provided for each use. The key difference between the first and second conditional is that the second conditional refers to events that are less likely or possible to occur. An exercise is included for learners to practice forming second conditional sentences.
The document discusses the second conditional in English grammar. The second conditional uses "if" with the past simple tense, followed by "would" and an infinitive verb. It has two main uses: to talk about unlikely future possibilities and to discuss present impossibilities. An example is provided for each use. The key difference between the first and second conditional is that the second conditional refers to events that are less likely or possible to occur. An exercise is included for learners to practice forming second conditional sentences.
The document discusses the second conditional in English grammar. The second conditional uses "if" with the past simple tense, followed by "would" and an infinitive verb. It has two main uses: to talk about unlikely future possibilities and to discuss present impossibilities. An example is provided for each use. The key difference between the first and second conditional is that the second conditional refers to events that are less likely or possible to occur. An exercise is included for learners to practice forming second conditional sentences.
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The Second Conditional
The second conditional uses the past simple after if, then 'would' and the infinitive:
if + past simple, ...would + infinitive
(We can use 'were' instead of 'was' with 'I' and 'he/she/it'. This is mostly done in formal writing).
It has two uses.
First, we can use it to talk about things in the future that are probably not going to be true. Maybe I'm imagining some dream for example.
If I won the lottery, I would buy a big house. (I probably won't win the lottery) If I met the Queen of England, I would say hello. She would travel all over the world if she were rich. She would pass the exam if she ever studied. (She never studies, so this won't happen)
Second, we can use it to talk about something in the present which is impossible, because it's not true. Is that clear? Have a look at the examples:
If I had his number, I would call him. (I don't have his number now, so it's impossible for me to call him). If I were you, I wouldn't go out with that man.
How is this different from the first conditional?
This kind of conditional sentence is different from the first conditional because this is a lot more unlikely.
For example (second conditional): If I had enough money I would buy a house with twenty bedrooms and a swimming pool (I'm probably not going to have this much money, it's just a dream, not very real)
But (first conditional): If I have enough money, I'll buy some new shoes (It's much more likely that I'll have enough money to buy some shoes) Exercise: 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. 16) They ___________ (go) to Spain on holiday if they ______________ (like) hot weather. 17) She ____________ (pass) the exam if she ____________ (study) more. 18) I _____________ (marry) someone famous if I ____________ (be) a movie star. 19) We ___________ (not/be) late again if we ______________ (buy) a new car. 20) You ___________ (lose) weight if you ______________ (eat) less. 21) If I ____________ (be) you, I ____________ (get) a new job. Exercise: 1) If I were (be) you, I’d get (get) a new job. 2) If he was (be) younger, he’d travel (travel) more. 3) If we weren’t (not/be) friends, I’d be (be) angry with you. 4) If I had (have) enough money, I’d buy (buy) a big house. 5) If she wasn’t (not/be) always so late, she’d be (be) promoted. 6) If we won (win) the lottery, we’d travel (travel) the world. 7) If you had (have) a better job, we’d be (be) able to buy a new car. 8) If I spoke (speak) perfect English, I’d have (have) a good job. 9) If we lived (live) in Mexico, I’d speak (speak) Spanish. 10) If she passed (pass) the exam, she’d be (be) able to enter university. 11) She’d be (be) happier if she had (have) more friends. 12) We’d buy (buy) a house if we decided (decide) to stay here. 13) They’d have (have) more money if they didn’t buy (not/buy) so many clothes. 14) We’d come (come) to dinner if we had (have) time. 15) She’d call (call) him if she had (have) his number. 16) They’d go (go) to Spain on holiday if they liked (like) hot weather. 17) She’d pass (pass) the exam if she studied (study) more. 18) I’d marry (marry) someone famous if I were (be) a movie star. 19) We wouldn’t be (not/be) late again if we bought (buy) a new car. 20) You’d lose (lose) weight if you ate (eat) less. 21) If I were (be) you, I’d get (get) a new job.
