Second Conditional

Second Conditional

1. Definition

   • For situations that
     • the speaker considers
       • unlikely to happen in the future.

2. characteristics

   • The second conditional uses the past simple after if, then 'would' and the infinitive
     • It has two uses.
       • First, we can use it to talk about things in the future that are probably not going to be true.
         • Maybe I'm imagining some dream
           • for example:
             • If I won the lottery, I would buy a big house.(I probably won't win the lottery)
       • use it to talk about something in the present which is impossible
         • for example:
           • If I had his number, I would call him. (I don't have his number now, so it's impossible for me to call him).

3. structure

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

4. examples

   • If I were taller, she would like me.
     • If I were taller, she would like me.
       • If I had children, I would teach them to dance.