SECOND CONDITIONAL

Introduction

The second conditional (also called conditional type 2) is a structure used for talking about unreal situations in the present or in the future. This page will explain how the second conditional is formed, and when to use it.

The structure of a second conditional sentence

Like a first conditional, a second conditional sentence consists of two clauses, an "if" clause and a main clause:

IF clause	main clause
If I had a million dollars,	I would buy a big house.

If the "if" clause comes first, a comma is usually used. If the "if" clause comes second, there is no need for a comma:

IF clause	main clause
I would buy a big house	if I had a million dollars.

We use different verb forms in each part of a second conditional:

IF clause	if + subject + simple past verb*
main clause	subject + would + verb

*Note that this "simple past" form is slightly different from usual in the case of the verb BE. Whatever the subject, the verb form is "were", not "was": If I were rich, I'd buy a big house.

Using the second conditional

The second conditional is used to talk about things which are unreal (not true or not possible) in the present or the future -- things which don't or won't happen:

Example AND Explanation

If I were you, I would drive more carefully in the rain. (I am not you — this is unreal.)

Paula would be sad if Jan left. (Jan will not leave — that's not going to happen.)

If dogs had wings, they would be able to fly. (Dogs don't have wings — that's impossible.)

When you are sure that you understand the lesson, you can continue with the exercises. CLICK HERE.

ON-LINE LESSON:

2nd CODITIONAL IN SONGS:

THE FIDDLER ON THE ROOF: IF I WERE A RICH MAN...

AND FINALLY ONE MORE EXERCISE WITH ANSWERS TO CHECK AT HOME: