CONDITIONALS – IF CLAUSES
SECOND CONDITIONAL (past simple – would/wouldn’t)
You use the second conditional to talk about an imaginary or unlikely situation in the present or future
and to describe its result. You talk about the imaginary or unlikely situation with if + past simple. You
describe the result with would or wouldn’t.
If I had a lot of money, I’d buy a house. If I were his mother, I would punish him.
If they got married, it wouldn’t last long.
I wouldn’t worry so much If he wasn’t so aggressive.
If Brazilians had more knowledge about this candidate, he wouldn’t have this amount of supporters.
Activities
1. Complete these sentences with the second conditional.
1. If I _____________________________ (be) you, I _____________________________ (get) a new job.
2. If I _____________________________ (have) enough money, I _____________________________ (buy) a big house.
3. If she _____________________________ (not/be) always so late, she _____________________________ (be) promoted.
4. If we _____________________________ (win) the lottery, we _____________________________ (travel) the world.
5. If you _____________________________ (have) a better job, we _____________________________ (be) able to buy a new
car.
6. If I _____________________________ (speak) perfect English, I _____________________________ (have) a good job.
7. If we _____________________________ (live) in Mexico, I _____________________________ (speak) Spanish.
8. If she _____________________________ (pass) the exam, she _____________________________ (be) able to enter
university.
9. If I _____________________________ (be) you, I _____________________________ (invite) him for your party.
10. We _____________________________ (buy) a house if we _____________________________ (decide) to stay here.
11. We _____________________________ (come) to dinner if we _____________________________ (have) time.
12. She _____________________________ (call) him if she _____________________________ (have) his number.
13. He _____________________________ (pass) the exam if he _____________________________ (study) more.
Giving advice
You can use the following expressions to give advice.
If I were you, I wouldn’t let it spoil the relationship.
I think you should/ought to talk about your feelings.
In my opinion, she should/ought to wait until she has completed her studies.
2. Write the sentences saying what you would do if:
a. A friend lied to you: If a friend lied to me, I would/wouldn’t …
b. You fell out with a friend.
c. You felt unhappy about a relationship.
d. Your parents didn’t approve of your friends.
e. You won the lottery.
3. Give opinions using “second conditional”, “should”, or “ought to”.
1. Your friend has written a report to be handed in the next hour. But you notice a lot of mistakes on it.
2. Your mom has stomach problems, but doesn’t want to stop smoking.
3. Your sister keeps receiving love letters from her boss.
4. A friend of yours has been invited to a Gala Party, but doesn’t know what to wear.
5. A friend from Norway is visiting Rio, but keeps her watch and jewelries on.
