- September 17, 2024
- By: sahraz ahmed
- Conditionals, Second Conditional
The Second Conditional
Definition of the second conditional
The second conditional is used to describe an imaginary or highly improbable situation and its imaginary result in the present or future.
How to form the second conditional
| If-clause | Main clause |
| If + past simple | Would + Infinitive |
Examples of the second conditional
| If clause | Main clause |
| If + past simple | Would + Infinitive |
| If I had a million euros, | I would buy a big yacht. |
| If I had more time, | I would clean my flat. |
More example and explanations of the second conditional
If I had her number, I would call her – An imaginary situation as I don’t have her number.
If I wasn’t doing my homework now, I would be watching TV – I am doing my homework, but I am imagining an alternative activity that I would be doing if I wasn’t doing my homework (watch TV).- This example is using the past continuous tense
As with all conditional sentences, the order of the clauses can be changed. However, you may have to rearrange the pronouns and correct the punctuation..
| Main clause | If clause |
| Would + Infinitive | If + past simple |
| I would buy an Island | if I were rich. |
| I would travel the world | if I had time. |
Here are some more examples of the second conditional.
- If I had enough money, I would buy a big house.
(This implies that currently, I do not have enough money, but if the situation were different, I would buy a house.)
- If I studied harder, I would pass the exam.
(This suggests that I am not studying hard enough at the moment, but if I did, then I would probably pass the e.)
- If it rained tomorrow, we would cancel the barbecue.
(This is a hypothetical situation about the future, assuming that rain is unlikely but possible. If it did happen, the barbecue would be canceled.)
- If we lived closer to grandmother, we would visit her more often.
(Here, it implies we currently live far away from grandmother, but if we lived closer, we would visit her more often)
What is a conditional sentence?
Conditional sentences are sentences that discuss known factors or hypothetical situations and their consequences.
A conditional sentence consists of two clauses: the condition or if-clause and the main or result clause.
Overview conditional sentences
There are five main types of conditional sentences.
The Zero Conditional: (if + present simple, … present simple)
The First Conditional: (if + present simple, … will + infinitive)
The Second Conditional: (if + past simple, … would + infinitive)
The Third Conditional. (if + past perfect, … would + have + past participle)
Mixed Conditional. (if + Present conditional… Past perfect)
