Second Conditional

The Second Conditional is used to talk about hypothetical or imaginary situations in the present or future. The speaker believes the condition is unlikely or impossible — it is not expected to happen.

We form the Second Conditional with If + Simple Past in the if-clause and would + infinitive in the main clause. The verbs could and might can also replace would to express possibility rather than certainty.

Quick Example

• If I had more time, I would travel more.
• If she spoke Spanish, she would apply for that job.
• If I were you, I wouldn’t do that.
• If we won the lottery, we would buy a house.

Form

Note: In formal English, were is used for all persons in the if-clause: If I were rich… / If she were here… In informal speech, was is also accepted for I/he/she/it.

Common Signal Words

• If
• Unless
• Imagine
• Suppose
• What if
• Would

Use

The Second Conditional is used to express:

1. Hypothetical and Imaginary Situations
2. Advice (If I were you…)
3. Wishes and Dreams

1. Hypothetical and Imaginary Situations

Use the Second Conditional to talk about situations that are imaginary, unlikely, or contrary to the current reality.

• If I lived in Paris, I would visit the Eiffel Tower every day.
• If she had a car, she wouldn’t take the bus.
• If it were summer, we would go swimming.
• If they had more money, they would start a business.
• If I spoke Chinese, I could work in Beijing.

2. Advice (If I were you…)

A very common use of the Second Conditional is to give advice using the expression If I were you…

• If I were you, I would talk to the manager.
• If I were you, I wouldn’t say that.
• If I were in your position, I would ask for help.
• If I were her, I would accept the offer.

3. Wishes and Dreams

Use the Second Conditional to talk about wishes and dreams — things you would like to be true but aren’t.

• If I had wings, I would fly around the world.
• If she were a singer, she would perform at Carnegie Hall.
• If I could choose any job, I would be an astronaut.
• If we had a bigger house, we would have a swimming pool.

Examples

Conclusion

The Second Conditional allows you to talk about imaginary realities — things that are not true now but could be. The key distinction from the First Conditional is that the Second Conditional expresses situations the speaker considers unlikely or impossible, while the First Conditional expresses real possibilities.

A useful tip: if you can replace if with imagine that and the sentence still makes sense, you are likely using the Second Conditional correctly. Remember that were (not was) is preferred in formal English for all persons in the if-clause.

Vocabulary Quiz + Pronunciation

Vocabulary Quiz + Pronunciation

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