Second
Conditional
Pre- intermediate level
Paula Murcia
Use
We use the second conditional to talk about:
1. Imaginary or unreal situations in the present or future.
These are things that are not true now, but we imagine them.
🔸 If I were rich, I would travel the world.
(I’m not rich, but I’m imagining it.)
Use
We use the second conditional to talk about:
2. Dreams, wishes, or unlikely situations.
🔸 If he won the lottery, he would buy a big house.
(It’s not likely, but possible.)
Use
We use the second conditional to talk about:
3. Giving advice (in a polite way).
🔸 If I were you, I would talk to her.
(This is advice, not a real situation.)
Structure
If + subject + past simple, subject + would + base verb
Example: Parts:
Example: If I studied more, I would pass the test.
If = introduces the condition
If I studied more, I would
(“studied” = past simple, “pass” = base verb)
I = subject
pass the test.
studied = verb in past simple
(“studied” = past simple,
would = modal verb
“pass” = base verb)
pass = base form of the verb (no "to")
You can also change the order:
I would pass the test if I studied more.
Examples
If I had a million dollars, I would buy a big house.
Si yo tuviera un millón de dólares, compraría una casa grande.
If she studied harder, she would get better grades.
Si ella estudiara más, sacaría mejores notas.
If we lived in Paris, we would speak French every day.
Si viviéramos en París, hablaríamos francés todos los días.
If he were taller, he would play basketball.
Si él fuera más alto, jugaría baloncesto.
Examples
If I didn’t have to work, I would travel more.
Si no tuviera que trabajar, viajaría más.
If she didn’t like the movie, she wouldn’t watch it again.
Si a ella no le gustara la película, no la volvería a ver.
If we weren’t tired, we would go out.
Si no estuviéramos cansados, saldríamos.
If he didn’t eat so much junk food, he would feel better.
Si él no comiera tanta comida chatarra, se sentiría mejor.
Examples
What would you do if you won the lottery?
¿Qué harías si ganaras la lotería?
If you had a time machine, where would you go?
Si tuvieras una máquina del tiempo, ¿a dónde irías?
Would you help me if I needed you?
¿Me ayudarías si te necesitara?
If it rained tomorrow, would you stay home?
Si lloviera mañana, ¿te quedarías en casa?
Exercises
1. Fill in the blanks with the correct form:
If I ______ (be) you, I ______ (talk) to the teacher.
If she ______ (have) more time, she ______ (learn) to play the guitar.
We ______ (go) to the beach if it ______ (be) sunny.
2. Choose the correct option:
If I had a car, I (will/would) drive to work.
If he (knew/knows) the answer, he would tell us.
She would be happier if she (was/were) on vacation.
If we didn’t have homework, we (will/would) go out.
Thank
you