12/5/2024
SECOND
CONDITIONAL
Instructor: Shamriz Sadat
Instructor: Shamriz "Sadat"
University of central Asia 1
We use the second conditional
when we imagine a situation in the
present or future. But the situation
is unreal, unlikely, or impossible:
Second we describe the unreal situation
and the if clause; we talk about the
conditional result of this situation and the main
clause.
(Unlikely future situation) if
Gulbuddin stole something from the
shop, (result) he would feel bad.
Instructor: Shamriz "Sadat" 12/5/2024 2
Second conditional
(Unlikely future situation) if Gulbuddin stole
something from the shop, (result) he would feel bad.
If Clause => (If + Subject + past verb)
Result clause => (Subject + would/could +
infinitive)
Instructor: Shamriz "Sadat" 12/5/2024 3
Second
conditional
◦ We can also use past
continuous and if clause:
◦ if it was raining and I saw a
hitchhiker, I would stop.
◦ I could go on more holidays if
I had more money. (Could = it
would be possible)
Instructor: Shamriz "Sadat" 12/5/2024 4
Second conditional
◦ When we talk about impossible
prison situations with be, we usually
use if I were, not if I was.
◦ If I were taller, I would be better at
volleyball.
◦ We can also use the second
conditional to give advice, with the
phrase if I were you (not if I was
you)
◦ if I were you, I would exercise more.
(I am imagining the situation where I
am you)
Instructor: Shamriz "Sadat" 12/5/2024 5
Second conditional
Positive Sentences:
If + past simple, would + base form of the verb
Example: If I won the lottery, I would buy a house.
Negative Sentences:
If + past simple, would not (or wouldn’t) + base form of the verb
Example: If I didn’t have to work, I wouldn’t stay home.
Positive Question Sentences:
If + subject + past simple, would + subject + base form of the verb?
Example: If you went to Paris, would you visit the Eiffel Tower?
Instructor: Shamriz "Sadat" 12/5/2024 6
◦Any
question
Instructor: Shamriz "Sadat" 12/5/2024 7