The second conditional

• What it is
• First conditional vs. second conditional
• Were instead of was
• The expression "If I were you"
• Could and might instead of would
• Using not
• Questions
• Summary of conditionals so far

What it is

The first conditional is used for possible or probable situations: If it rains, I'll stay home. The second conditional is for imaginary or hypothetical situations. It is built with if + past simple, followed by would + infinitive.

If I had more money, I would travel the world.

If she lived in London, she would visit museums every week.

Even though we use the past simple after if, we are NOT talking about the past. We are talking about an imaginary present or future.

The if clause can go at the beginning or at the end: I would travel the world if I had more money. When the if clause goes first, we put a comma after it.

First conditional vs. second conditional

The first conditional is for real possibilities. The second conditional is for imaginary situations.

If I have time tomorrow, I'll help you. (first conditional - it's possible)

If I had a million dollars, I would buy a yacht. (second conditional - imaginary)

If it rains, I'll stay home. (first conditional - it might rain)

If I were the president, I would change many things. (second conditional - I'm not the president)

Were instead of was

In the second conditional, it is traditional to use were instead of was for all persons, especially with I, he, she, it:

If I were rich, I would buy a big house.

If she were here, she would know what to do.

In everyday speech, many people say If I was rich... This is acceptable, but If I were rich... is considered more correct, especially in writing.

The expression "If I were you"

We use If I were you to give advice:

If I were you, I would talk to her.

If I were you, I wouldn't accept that job.

Could and might instead of would

We can use could or might instead of would for possibility:

If I had more time, I could learn another language.

If we moved to the coast, we might go to the beach every day.

Using not

We can use not in either clause or in both:

If I didn't have a job, I would travel.

If I had more money, I wouldn't worry.

If she didn't live so far, I wouldn't need a car.

Questions

What would you do if you won the lottery?

Would you move to another country if you could?

Summary of conditionals so far

First conditional: If + present simple, will + infinitive => real/possible

Second conditional: If + past simple, would + infinitive => imaginary/hypothetical