Second conditional
450 fill-in-the-gap exercises, 45 tests of ten
Past tense after if, would in the other half. For something that is not true, or is unlikely.
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The pattern
Past tense after if, would in the result:
If I knew the answer, I would tell you. — I do not know it.
Nothing here is about the past. The past tense is doing something else: it marks the situation as not real.
Unreal now, or unlikely later
Two readings, and both are standard:
- If I spoke Italian, I would apply for that job. — I do not speak it.
- If I won the lottery, I would buy a boat. — possible, but I am not counting on it.
Compare the first conditional, which treats the condition as a genuine prospect: If I win, I will buy a boat.
if I were you
The standard way to give advice in English:
If I were you, I’d say nothing.
Were is used with every subject in this pattern, including I, he and she. In casual speech you will hear if I was, but were is the form that tests expect and the fixed phrase always takes it.
could and might
Would can be replaced to change the meaning slightly:
- If we left now, we could catch the ferry. — it would be possible
- If you asked her, she might agree. — perhaps
Polite requests
The second conditional softens a request by pretending it is hypothetical:
It would be helpful if you could send it today.
Nothing unreal is intended. The grammar is doing manners.
All forms
| If-clause | Main clause | Example |
|---|---|---|
| past simple | would + verb | If I had time, I would help. |
| past simple | could, might | If we left now, we might catch it. |
| were for every subject | would + verb | If I were you, I'd wait. |
Examples
Taken from the 450 sentences in this drill. The answer is highlighted.
- If we had enough money, we could buy a new car.
- If it were sunny tomorrow, we'd have a picnic.
- If she got more sleep, she would feel less tired.
- If he finished his work early, he would go home.
- If you studied harder, you would get better grades.
- If she had more money, she would buy a new car.
- If she won the competition, she would receive a prize.
- If you asked politely, she would assist you.
- If she played basketball, she would be very good.
- If she left early, she wouldn't miss the bus.
- If he studied harder, he could pass the exam.
- If they passed the exam, they would celebrate tonight.
Mistakes to avoid
Wrong: If I would have time, I would help. correct: If I had time, I would help.
Would never appears in the if-clause.
Wrong: If I was you, I'd wait. correct: If I were you, I'd wait.
The fixed phrase takes were, and formal English uses were for every subject here.
Wrong: If she studied harder, she will pass. correct: If she studied harder, she would pass.
A second conditional takes would, not will.