Second conditional

Second conditional

1. the second conditional is used to refer to what will happen in a given situation, but referring to situations that are NOT real, and what their consequences would be or could be.

2. Structure

   • If + past simple / past continuous+subject + would / wouldn't + basic form of the verb.

3. Rules

   • Since the second conditional deals with an unreal situation, we usually use the “were” form of the verb to be instead of the “was” form, even if we are speaking in the first or third person singular.
   • It is also possible to replace would or wouldn't, in the main clause, with could / couldn't or might / might not:
   • the first sentence goes in the past simple or continuous and the second goes with the auxiliary would

4. Examples

   • Affirmative
     • If I had more real friends,I wouldn’t spend so much time on social media.
   • Negative
     • If I didn't eat meat,I'd be a lot healthier.
   • Interrogative
     • If I invited you to a party,would you come?