Second Conditional

Grammar Practice Worksheets

Grammar Notes
SECOND CONDITIONAL

A. Introduction to Conditionals

Conditionals are used to express a hypothetical situation. This is when you

don’t know if something will happen or not, so you make a guess about
what the result might be. There are four conditional patterns in the English
language, and they usually involve an “if” clause. This lesson will focus
on the second conditional, also known as the unreal conditional.

B. The Second Conditional

Tip #1
Pattern: If + past, would + base verb The verb in the if clause is a simple past verb, and the
verb in the main clause is would + the base form of
Use: The second conditional shows an unlikely or
the verb. A sentence can begin with either clause with
impossible outcome that wouldn’t happen in
no change in meaning. Remember that a sentence
most cases (unless a specific condition were that begins with an if clause is followed by a comma.
somehow met).
• If they had more money, they would buy a car.
• They would buy a car if they had more money.

Examples

Sentences Condition Outcome Explanation

• If we won the lottery, Winning the

we would travel around the world. traveling
winning the lottery is rare,
around
• We would travel around the world lottery so this is very
the world
if we won the lottery. unlikely.

• If I had wings, I would fly to Japan. I don’t have

having flying
wings, so this
• I would fly to Japan if I had wings. wings to Japan
is impossible.

She doesn’t live

• If Lisa lived near the beach, she would learn to surf. living near learning near the beach
• Lisa would learn to surf if she lived near the beach. the beach to surf now, so this
is unlikely.

Copyright 2019, Red River Press Inc. For use by ESL Library members only. ( I N T / V E R S I O N 2 . 2) 2
 Second Conditional
Grammar Practice Worksheets

Grammar Notes cont.

B. The Second Conditional cont.

Examples cont.

Sentences Condition Outcome Explanation

I don’t have a
• If I were rich, I wouldn’t work anymore.* not lot of money
being rich
• I wouldn’t work anymore if I were rich. working right now, so
this is unlikely.

• If my grandparents were young again, They can’t

they would do things differently. living life in
being go back in
a different
• My grandparents would do things young again time, so this
way
differently if they were young again. is impossible.

• If the children had a pool, they would swim every day. They don’t have
having swimming
a pool now, so
• The children would swim every day if they had a pool. a pool every day
this is unlikely.

She can’t
• If she grew an extra head, she would be twice as smart. growing
being twice grow another
another
• She would be twice as smart if she grew an extra head. as smart head, so this
head
is impossible.

*Tip #2 Tip #3 Tip #4

The Be verb in conditional Would can contract to ‘d with Could + base verb can be used
sentences is always were subjects that are pronouns. in place of a past verb or would
(not was) for all subjects. Would not can contract to + base verb to indicate ability or
Some people choose to wouldn’t with any subject. possibility.
ignore this rule, but it’s
• If the clerk were taller, • If I could ski, I would buy
best to follow it.
she’d be able to reach a season’s pass at my
• If I were a dog, I would lie the top shelf. local mountain.
around in the sun all day.
• If my coworker • If I didn’t have to babysit
• If Juan were an astronaut, inherited a lot of money, tonight, I could go to
he would fly to the moon. he probably wouldn’t Marco’s party.
work here anymore.

Copyright 2019, Red River Press Inc. For use by ESL Library members only. ( I N T / V E R S I O N 2 . 2) 3
 Second Conditional
Grammar Practice Worksheets

Exercise 1
MULTIPLE-CHOICE

Circle the best answer.

Ex. I would buy a new car if I more money. 6. I to your party on Saturday
if I didn’t have to work.
a) had
b) have a) came
c) will have b) would come
c) will come
1. If I were hungry, I a sandwich.
7. I would call them if I their
a) make
telephone number.
b) will make
c) would make a) knew
b) know
2. If he his homework every day, c) will know
he would get better marks.
8. She wouldn’t fall asleep in class
a) did
if she so tired.
b) does
c) will do a) wasn’t
b) was
3. If our partners were here, c) weren’t
they us what to do.
9. If my friend so busy,
a) told
he would have time to hang out with me.
b) would tell
c) tell a) weren’t
b) were
4. I would help her if she me. c) was

a) will ask
10. If I didn’t have to go out tonight,
b) asked
I relax at home.
c) asks
a) could
5. If my brother found a $20 b) didn’t
bill on the street, he it. c) wouldn’t

a) will keep
b) kept
c) would keep

Copyright 2019, Red River Press Inc. For use by ESL Library members only. ( I N T / V E R S I O N 2 . 2) 4
 Second Conditional
Grammar Practice Worksheets

Exercise 2
FILL IN THE BLANKS

Complete the following sentences using the correct form of the verbs provided.

Ex. Frank is always tired. If he went to bed earlier every night,

(go)

he would feel much better.

(feel)

1. It’s Monday today, but if it Saturday, I to the beach.

(be) (go)

2. I don’t have any money now, but if I some, I it to you.

(have) (lend)

3. I have to work tomorrow, but if I free, I shopping with you.

(be) (go)

4. Amy can only speak one language, but if she two languages,
(can speak)

she for a job at the Multicultural Center.

(apply)

5. Sue doesn’t know how to knit. If she how to knit,

(know)

she a sweater for you for your birthday.

(make)

6. I don’t own a pair of skis. If I skis, I skiing with you.

(have) (go)

7. We are not going to buy that house, but if it a little cheaper,

(be)

we it.
(buy)

8. He fails his exams because he gets so nervous. If he , he .

(relax) (pass)

9. John has a lot of car accidents. If he more carefully,

(drive)

he fewer accidents.
(have)

10. Robert smokes a lot. If he smoking, his cough better.

(quit) (get)

Copyright 2019, Red River Press Inc. For use by ESL Library members only. ( I N T / V E R S I O N 2 . 2) 5
 Second Conditional
Grammar Practice Worksheets

Exercise 3
MATCHING

Match the first part of the sentence on the left with the best
ending on the right. Each choice can only be used once.

e 1. If I were rich, ... a) if I were bald.

2. If I had a dog, ... b) if the neighbors were very noisy.
3. I would go to the dentist... c) I would take it again.
4. I would buy a wig... d) if I were rude to the customers.
5. I would quit my job... e) I would buy a private island.
6. If I saw a bad car accident, ... f) if I had to work overtime every day.
7. I would move... g) I could move to Mexico.
8. If I spoke Spanish, ... h) I would name it Fido.
9. If I failed the course, ... i) I would call an ambulance.
10. My boss would fire me... j) if I had a bad toothache.

Exercise 4
COMPLETE THE SENTENCES

Complete the following sentences using your own words.

Ex. If I only had one month to live, I would travel around the world.

1. If I had some free time,

2. I would move to a bigger apartment if

3. If I had a bike,

4. I would walk to school every day if

5. I would go to the doctor if

6. If I had a roommate,

7. If I knew his phone number,

8. If I were taller,

Copyright 2019, Red River Press Inc. For use by ESL Library members only. ( I N T / V E R S I O N 2 . 2) 6
 Second Conditional
Grammar Practice Worksheets

Exercise 8
NEGATIVE SENTENCES

Complete the following sentences with the correct tense of the verbs provided.
Use contractions whenever possible.

Ex. I ‘d buy that computer if it weren’t so expensive.

(buy) (be, not)

1. If I you, I to that restaurant. The food is terrible.

(be) (go, not)

2. She at work today if she such a bad headache.

(be) (have, not)

3. If he to bed so late every night, he so tired every day.

(go, not) (be, not)

4. If you so far away from me, I you every weekend.

(live, not) (visit)

5. Sophia Andrew if she him.

(marry, not) (love, not)

6. Maya to the party if her baby sick.

(go) (be, not)

7. I the bus to school if I closer.

(take, not) (live)

8. If I coffee in the evening, I to sleep.

(drink) (be able, not)

9. If I such a bad cold, I in bed now.

(have, not) (be, not)

10. If you your sales receipt, the store you your money back.
(have, not) (give, not)

11. If you the taxi driver a tip, he angry.

(give, not) (be)

12. If I to work tonight, I to the football game with you.

(have, not) (go)

Copyright 2019, Red River Press Inc. For use by ESL Library members only. ( I N T / V E R S I O N 2 . 2) 10