Second Conditional Sentences
Second conditional sentences are used to talk about unlikely or impossible hypothetical situations.
In this lesson, you’ll learn how to use and structure these sentences.
When and how to use second conditional sentences?
Second conditional sentences are used to talk about unlikely or impossible hypothetical situations.
There are two clauses in a sentence;
- If clause – past simple
- Main clause – modal verb (would/could) + infinitive verb
You can swap over the clauses.
For example, if I were you, I would tell her the truth. I would tell her the truth if I were you.
- For negatives, add didn’t or weren’t in the -if clause. Or would/could + not + infinitive verb.
‘Were’ is used with I, he, she, it in conditional sentences.
Examples
If I had enough money, I would buy those shoes.
If she won the lottery, she would travel the world.
I would give everyone money if I were the Prime Minister.
Practise
Fill the gaps with the correct form of the verb.
Common mistakes learners make
- Confusing the meaning of first and second conditional
- Using ‘would’ in the -if clause
- Forgetting that ‘were’ is mostly used for all subjects
Common mistakes learners make
- Confusing the meaning of first and second conditional
- Using ‘would’ in the -if clause
- Forgetting that ‘were’ is mostly used for all subjects