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If - second conditional

  • Two events: both imagined

  • First event: imagine it has happened (past tense because you imagine it's happened)

  • Second event: what you would do if the first event happened (conditional tense because it follows the first but is not guaranteed to happen)

Second Conditional - Explain

An imagined event that has happened.

if second conditional
if second conditional

An imagined event in the future, in relation to event 1.

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Uses a modal verb because it is not certain to happen. Event 1 is imagined.

Past

Now

Future

Past tense

Conditional tense

If              ,                .

              , if              .

If + subject + past tense verb phrase, modal verb + present tense verb phrase

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Subject + modal verb + present tense verb phrase if + past tense verb phrase

if second conditional
if second conditional
if second conditional

If I went here...

I would eat this.

if second conditional

Past

Now

Future

went to my favourite restaurant

would eat steak

If I went to my favourite restaurant, I would eat steak. 

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I would eat steak if I went to my favourite restaurant. 

If I bought this...

if second conditional
if second conditional

I could wear these.

Past

Now

Future

bought this dress

could wear these shoes.

If I bought this dress, I could wear these shoes. 

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I could wear these shoes if I bought this dress. 

A Different Explanation

Event 1 is a possible event. It could happen. If it happened, then event 2 would / could etc. happen. 

Second Conditional - Examples

Past

Now

Future

was taller

could wear different clothes.

If I was taller, I could wear different clothes. 

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I could wear different clothes if I was taller. 

Past

Now

Future

studied harder

would have a better job

If I studied harder, I would have a better job. 

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I would have a better job if I studied harder. 

Vocabulary - Verbs
Vocabulary - Nouns
Second Conditional - Practice

Past

Now

Future

washed the vegetables

could cook them

If I washed the vegetables, I could cook them. 

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I could cook the vegetables if I washed them. 

If / dishes / I / should / wash / cooked / the / you

If I cooked, you should wash the dishes.

Answer

You should do the dishes if I cooked.

Answer - swapped

now / tonight / serve / If / beef / prepared / we / the / it / could

If we prepared the beef now, we could serve it tonight.

Answer

We could serve the beef tonight if we prepared it now.

Answer - swapped

baked / If / eat / one / would / cupcakes / you / I

If you baked cupcakes, I would eat one.

Answer

I would eat one if you baked cupcakes.

Answer - swapped
Second Conditional - Negative

You can make either the 'past tense' or the 'future conditional tense' negative. 

Past

Now

Future

did not serve the food

would get angry

If I did not serve the food, customers would get angry. 

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Customers would get angry if I did not serve the food. 

Past

Now

Future

 prepared the chicken this afternoon

could not cook it until tomorrow

If I prepared the chicken this afternoon, I could not cook it until tomorrow. 

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I could not cook the chicken until tomorrow if I prepared the chicken this afternoon. 

Past

Now

Future

 did not wash the vegetables

should not cook them

If you did not wash the vegetables, you should not cook them. 

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You should not cook the vegetables if you did not wash them. 

Second Conditional - Question (?)

You make 'future conditional tense' into a question. 

Past

Now

Future

 I prepared the pork

could you cook it for lunch?

If I prepared the pork, could you cook it for lunch? 

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Could you cook the pork for lunch if I prepared it? 

Past

Now

 I washed the dishes now

could you cook tonight?

Future

If I washed the dishes now, could you cook tonight?

Answer

Could you cook tonight if I washed the dishes now?

Answer - swapped

With 'wash the dishes' we often use 'do' as the verb:

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  • do the dishes

  • did the dishes

  • will do the dishes

  • have done the dishes

Second Conditional - Modal verb review

If I went to the shop, I would buy a new pair of shoes. 

 

  • would - something you do 100% if event 1 happens.

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If I went to the shop, I should buy a new pair of shoes.

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  • should - something which would be good to do if event 1 happens.

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If I went to the shop, I could buy a new pair of shoes.

If I went to the shop, I might buy a new pair of shoes. 

If I went to the shop, I may buy a new pair of shoes. 

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If I went to the shop, I can buy a new pair of shoes. 

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  • can - something which you have the ability to do if event 1 happens.

Second Conditional - Uses

Advice

  • If I were you, I would ______________________________________.

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  • If I were you, I wouldn't ______________________________________.

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"If I was you" is not grammatically correct but often said. 

  • If I were you, I would study every day.

 

  • If I were you, I wouldn't move to that area.

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  • If I were you, I would get a new job.

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  • If I were you, I'd move house. 

We would not use 'could' in this situation. 

Second Conditional - Extend

"If my dad got a new job, he would earn more money."

We can add the purpose of the money using 'to + verb phrase'

"If my dad got a new job, he would earn more money to spend on holiday."

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"If my dad got a new job, he would earn more money to move into a new house."

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"If my dad got a new job, he would earn more money to enjoy his holiday."

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