The Second Conditional

The Second Conditional

1. USE

   • The second conditional is a type of conditional that is used to talk about events that are unlikely to happen in the future. For situations that the speaker considers unlikely to happen in the future. If I were an astronaut, I would travel to the Moon.

2. The second conditional with the modal verb

   • The modal verbs could and might can be used instead of would.
   • We use the modal verb could to introduce the idea of ​​capacity.
   • We use the modal verb might to indicate remote possibility.

3. The comma in the second conditional

   • The order of appearance of the subordinate and main clauses can be reversed without affecting the meaning.
     • When the conditional or subordinate clause (if-clause) precedes the main clause, it is followed by a comma.
     • Cuando la oración principal precede a la oración subordinada, no se usa coma.
     • If I won the lottery, I would retire early. = I would retire early if I won the lottery.

4. If I were you vs. If I was you

   • In the second conditional, the verb be in the subordinate clause (if clause) can be conjugated as were instead of as was with the first and third persons singular (I, he, she, it).

5. Grammatical structure

   • If + subject +past simple + subject + would + verb infinitive + complement.
     • If I won the lottery, I would buy a house
     • If I didn't win the lottery, I wouldn't buy a house.
     • What would you do if you won the lottery? I would buy a house.

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