SECOND CONDITIONAL

Second Conditional Exercise.pdf
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Second Conditional

Introduction

The second conditional (also called conditional type 2) is a structure used for talking about unreal situations in the present or in the future. This page will explain how the second conditional is formed, and when to use it.

The structure of a second conditional sentence

Like a first conditional, a second conditional sentence consists of two clauses, an “if” clause and a main clause:

“If” clause	Main clause
If I had a million dollars,	I would buy a big house.

If the “if” clause comes first, a comma is usually used. If the “if” clause comes second, there is no need for a comma:

Main clause	“If” clause
I would buy a big house	if I had a million dollars.

We use different verb forms in each part of a second conditional:

“If” clause	if + subject + simple past verb*
Main clause	subject + would + verb

*Note that this "simple past" form is slightly different from usual in the case of the verb BE. Whatever the subject, the verb form is "were", not "was": If I were rich, I'd buy a big house.

Using the second conditional

The second conditional is used to talk about things which are unreal (not true or not possible) in the present or the future -- things which don't or won't happen:

Example	Explanation
If I were you, I would drive more carefully in the rain.	I am not you — this is unreal.
Paula would be sad if Jan left.	Jan will not leave — that's not going to happen.
If dogs had wings, they would be able to fly.	Dogs don't have wings — that's impossible.

Second Conditional 1

All of these sentences are second conditionals. Choose the correct form of the verb in each question.

We don't mind camping, but if we ________ enough money, we ________ in a hotel.
1. have... stayed
2. would have...stayed
3. had... would stay
4. had... stayed
We'd be on the beach if we ________ in Mexico!
1. were
2. will be
3. are
4. would be
If smoking were allowed, I ________ a cigarette.
1. would have
2. will have
3. had
4. have
If the weather ________ better, we ________ to the park.
1. were... would go
2. were... will go
3. is... would go
4. was... go
If there ________ no mosquitos, there would be no malaria.
1. is
2. are
3. would be
4. was
5. were
We would learn a lot from dolphins if they ________.
1. talk
2. could talk
3. can talk
4. will talk
If her hair were black, she ________ completely different.
1. looks
2. will look
3. would look
4. look
If I ________ a penny for every can of soda I've drunk in my life, I would be rich!
1. would have
2. have
3. will have
4. had
If he were a young man, he ________ able to walk faster.
1. would be
2. was
3. will be
4. is
He's so stupid! If he ________ an animal, he would be a sheep.
1. was
2. are
3. would be
4. is
5. were