Second Conditional

Second Conditional

1. The second conditional uses the past simple after if, then 'would' and the infinitive

   • if + past simple, ...would + infinitive

2. We can use 'were' instead of 'was' with 'I' and 'he/she/it'.

3. It has two uses.

   • First, we can use it to talk about things in the future that are probably not going to be true.
     • * If I won the lottery, I would buy a big house.
   • Second, we can use it to talk about something in the present which is impossible, because it's not true.
     • * If I had his number, I would call him.

4. The second conditional (also called conditional type 2) is a structure used for talking about unreal situations in the present or in the future.

5. Example

   • * If I met the Queen of England, I would say hello. * She would travel all over the world if she were rich.