The second conditional is used to talk about things which are unreal (not true or not possible) in the present: The TENSE is past, but we are talking about the present, now.
Example: If I were you, I would drive more carefully in the rain.
Explanation: I am not you — this is unreal.
Example: Paula would be sad if Jan left.
Explanation: Jan will not leave — that's not going to happen.
Example: If dogs had wings, they would be able to fly.
Explanation: Dogs don't have wings — that's impossible.
Construction:
If + subject + past simple verb + subject + would + base verb
Example sentences...
If I had a million dollars, I would buy a big house.
I would buy a big house if I had a million dollars.
If I had his number, I would call him.
If I were you, I wouldn't go out with that man.
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)
Rules:
1. The second conditional uses the past simple after if, then 'would' and the base verb
2. We should use 'WERE' instead of 'was' with 'I' and 'he/she/it'. (If I were you, I'd look for a new place to live.)
3. The 'If clause' can contain the past simple or the past progressive. (If they were thinking of selling, I would want to buy.)
4. The main clause can contain 'would' 'could' or 'might.
5. The form 'If I were you' is often used to give advice. (If I were you, I'd look for a new place to live.)
Exercises:
1. Match the beginnings of the sentences to the correct endings, to make logical conditional sentences.
1. If I were taller, a. …if I thought he loved me.
2. I'd buy a new computer… b. …you lost your job?
3. How would you feel if… c. …if you apologized.
4. If you could visit any country in the world, d. …I'd come to the party.
5. He'd be really upset… e. …if he knew about the theft.6. I'd marry him tomorrow… f. …I wouldn't wear high heels.
7. I'd forgive you… g. …if I had enough money.
8. If I didn't feel so ill, h. …where would you go?
2. Fill the gap using the verb in brackets. 5 gaps need a NEGATIVE verb!
1. I ___________________ that if I were you. It's bad luck. (to do)
2. They'd be a better team if they ___________________ fitter. (to be)
3. If I had some spare money, I ___________________ a DVD player. (to buy)4. Those children ___________________ so horrible if their parents were stricter. (to be)
5. I wouldn't go out with him even if you ___________________ me. (to pay)
6. If we ___________________ so hard, we wouldn't be so tired all the time. (to work)
7. If she didn't take so long in the shower, she ___________________ more time for breakfast. (to have)
8. If you ___________________ so much beer, you wouldn't be so fat. (to drink)9. The world ___________________ a better place if politicians were less vain. (to be)
10. I ___________________ to visit Thailand if I had the chance. (to love)
11. If I had more free time, I ___________________ a play. (to write)
12. If you ___________________ a digital camera, you could send photos by email. (to have)
13. He would definitely lose weight if he ___________________ eating carbohydrates and sugar. (to stop)
14. We could go travelling across France if we ___________________ a tent. (to buy)
15. Valencia would have the perfect climate if it ___________________ so hot in July and August. (to be)
16. If I understood more about computers, I___________________ help you out. (to be able to)
17. I wouldn't do that if I ___________________ you. (to be)
3. Watch the video about Ben and Holly's Little Kingdom 'The shooting star' and answer the questions below:
In this episode the Wise Old Elf fears an alien invasion after a presumed shooting star lands in the Little Kingdom. The spaceship crashes and can't make it's way back home.
- What would you do if you saw a shooting star?
- If you were a great old alien who would you like to see when you arrive somewhere new? Who did the alien want to see when he arrived in Ben and Holly's Little Kingdom?
- If you were an alien on holiday where would you go?
- What would you do if were an alien and your spaceship crashed? What did the aliens do?
- If you were Old Wise Elf what would you do to fix the spaceship? What did Old Wise Elf do?
- If you were Ben and Holly how would you entertain aliens? What did Ben and Holly do?
- If you were an alien would you ever eat your friends?
- What kind of important decisions would you make if you were Thistle King? What decision did he make when Nanny Plum asked him a question?
- What would you do if you saw some big colorful aliens for the first time? What did Holly's mom and Ben's dad do when they saw the aliens?
- How would you feel if your were a very small alien among big tall people? Did the old alien like it?
- If you were Nanny Plum how would you fix the spaceship? What did she really do?
- If you were Lucy would you tell your parents that you saw elves, fairies and aliens?
- If you were Ben and Holly would you go on a little ride with the alien? Why? Why not?
- What would you say if you were Lucy's parents and saw Ben, Holly and the alien in a flying saucer? What did they really say?
SELF-CHECK EXERCISES
- Conditional Exercise 2 Present Unreal Conditional (Type II)
- Conditional Exercise 3 Present Real Conditional (Type I) vs. Present Unreal Conditional (Type II)
- exercise 1 (Type II)
- exercise 2 (Type II)
- exercise 3 (Type II)
- exercise 4 (Type II)
- exercise 5 (Type II)
- exercise 6 (Type II)
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