If - second conditional
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Two events: both imagined
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First event: imagine it has happened (past tense because you imagine it's happened)
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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.
An imagined event in the future, in relation to event 1.
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
Subject + modal verb + present tense verb phrase if + past tense verb phrase
If I went here...
I would eat this.
Past
Now
Future
went to my favourite restaurant
would eat steak
If I went to my favourite restaurant, I would eat steak.
I would eat steak if I went to my favourite restaurant.
If I bought this...
I could wear these.
Past
Now
Future
bought this dress
could wear these shoes.
If I bought this dress, I could wear these shoes.
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.
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.
I would have a better job if I studied harder.
Vocabulary - Verbs
Vocabulary - Nouns
We say 'dishes' for anything we've used to cook with.
(the woman)
Second Conditional - Practice
Past
Now
Future
washed the vegetables
could cook them
If I washed the vegetables, I could cook them.
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.