SECOND CONDITIONAL

USING THE SECOND CONDITIONAL

We use the second conditional to talk about situations that are improbable or impossible. Look at the examples.
If I had wings, I would fly. (I dont have wings so this is impossible.)
If I won the lottery, I would buy a big house. (Winning the lottery is highly improbable.)
FORMING THE SECOND CONDITIONAL.
A sentence that uses the second conditional usually occurs with two clauses. A clause is a small sentence.
If + past simple, would + base form of the verb OR would + base form of the verb if + past simple.
ACTIVITY Look at the sentences below. Circle the simple past verb in red and the would + base form in blue.
1. I wouldnt do that if I were you.
2. If I spoke French better, I would visit Paris.
3. If I had a dollar for every time I heard that, I would be rich.
TO BE / TO BE ABLE TO
For the pronoun you, we can use were the more formal or was the more informal.
For the modal can we can use could in the conditional clause.
If I was good at Maths I could be an accountant.
Task 1. Fill in the sentences with the correct form of the
Task 4. Write the questions. Then ask and answer with your
verb.
partner.
1. If the weather ________ (be) better, we could have a
1. What / do / if / have / 24 hours to live?
picnic.
____________________________________________
2. I would be happier if I _____________(live) in a quieter 2. What / do / if / can be / invisible?
place.
____________________________________________
3. If that ______________ (be) true, I would feel better.
3. What / do / if / find a wallet full of money?
4. Henry could be a great student if he ______(do) his
____________________________________________
homework.
4. If / can live / anywhere / where / live?
5. If she ________ (have) a car, she wouldnt
____________________________________________
have to take the bus.
5. If / can meet / anyone / who /like to meet?
____________________________________________
Task 2. Fill in the sentences with the correct form of would
+ base
1. If I werent so sick, I ___________________ (eat).
2. We ________________ (buy) books if we had the
money.
3. If grandpa were younger, he _______________ (study)
Chinese.
4. He _________________ (be) happier if he worked less.
5. If there were more chairs we ______________ (can)
sit.
Task 3. Transform the sentences into the 2nd conditional.
1. There arent any eggs so I cant make an omelet.
If there were some eggs, I could make an omelet.
2. Im not tall so I cant play basketball.
____________________________________________
3. Hes so tired so he doesnt want to play.
____________________________________________
4. This food is so spicy so it is not delicious.
____________________________________________
5. I dont have a million bucks so I cant buy a yacht.
____________________________________________

Task 5. Write four good questions in the second conditional.

Then go around the class and ask everyone your questions.

1.____________________________________
____________________________________
2. ___________________________________
____________________________________
3. ___________________________________
____________________________________
4. ___________________________________
____________________________________

KEY
Task 1
1. were/was
2. lived
3. were/was
4. did
5. had
Task 2
1. would eat
2. would buy
3. would study
4. would be
5. could
Task 3
2. If I were tall I could play basketball
3. If he werent so tired he would want to play
4. If this food werent so spicy it would be delicious.
5. If I had a million bucks I could buy a yacht.
Task 4
1. What would you do if you had 24 hours to live?
2. What would you do if you could be invisible?
3. What would you do if you found a wallet full of money?
4. If you could live anywhere, where would you live?
5. If you could meet anyone, who would you like to meet?