Second conditional: when and how to use
How to form the second conditional
| Structure of second conditional | ||
| positive | negative | question |
| If I had more time, I'd travel more. I'd = I would |
I wouldn't refuse if you offered me $10,000. I would be surprised if he didn't come. wouldn't = would not didn't = did not |
What would you say if you met the President? |
When to use the second conditional
We use the second conditional to express an unreal or improbable condition and its result in the present or future:
| [unreal/improbable condition] | [result] |
| If I had more time, . . . | I’d learn another language. |
| If I won the lottery, . . . | I’d buy a house near the sea. |
| The second conditional – common mistakes | ||
| Common mistakes | Correct version | Why? |
| if I would have | If I had enough money, I would buy a new computer. | We use the past simple (I had) in the if-clause. It shows we are talking about something which is unlikely to happen or is an imaginary situation. |
| you will feel | If you didn't hurry so much, you would feel more relaxed. | The structure of the main clause is would + infinitive. |
Other practice exercises
Intermediate level: First vs. second conditional exercise >>