Second conditional
Everyone likes to dream about something, but how to do that in english?
In English we use a second conditional that helps us to speak about hypothetical situations that could happen or are unrealistic in the future.
The formula for the second conditional is relatively straightforward: If + past simple, ... would + base verb.
Example: If I won the lottery, I would travel the world.
- If clause: If I won the lottery - Main clause: I would travel the world
When to Use the Second Conditional
The second conditional is particularly useful in the following scenarios:
1. Imaginary Situations: When discussing something that is not real or not possible right now.
- If I were a bird, I would fly across the ocean.
2. Unlikely Events: When talking about events that are not possible to happen in the future.
- If she studied harder, she would get better grades.
3. Desires and Wishes: When expressing wishes about the present or future.
- If I had more free time, I would learn a new language.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
1. Incorrect Tense Usage: A common mistake is using the present simple tense in the "if" clause.
- Incorrect: If I win the lottery, I would travel the world.
- Correct: If I won the lottery, I would travel the world.
2. Misplacing “Would”: Another mistake is placing "would" in the "if" clause.
- Incorrect: If I would win the lottery, I would travel the world.
- Correct: If I won the lottery, I would travel the world.
3. Using “Was” instead of “Were”: In formal English, especially with the pronoun "I," "were" is preferred over "was."
- Incorrect: If I was rich, I would buy a mansion.
- Correct: If I were rich, I would buy a mansion.
Practice and Application
Understanding the second conditional is one thing, but using it effectively requires practice. Here are a few exercises to help you get the hang of it:
Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb in parentheses
1. If I ___ (have) more time, I ___ (learn) a new language. 2. She ___ (travel) more if she ___ (not be) afraid of flying. 3. If they ___ (win) the lottery, they ___ (buy) a new house. 4. He ___ (not be) so tired if he ___ (go) to bed earlier. 5. If we ___ (know) their address, we ___ (visit) them.
Exercise 2: Complete the sentences using your own ideas 1. If I could live anywhere in the world, __________________________. 2. If you won a million dollars, __________________________. 3. If she spoke three languages fluently, __________________________. 4. If we didn't have to work tomorrow, __________________________. 5. If they were in charge of the project, __________________________.
Answers
Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb in parentheses 1. If I had (have) more time, I would learn (learn) a new language. 2. She would travel (travel) more if she weren't (not be) afraid of flying. 3. If they won (win) the lottery, they would buy (buy) a new house. 4. He wouldn't be (not be) so tired if he went (go) to bed earlier. 5. If we knew (know) their address, we would visit (visit) them.
Exercise 2: Complete the sentences using your own ideas 1. If I could live anywhere in the world, I would live in Paris. 2. If you won a million dollars, you would buy a new car. 3. If she spoke three languages fluently, she would get a job as a translator. 4. If we didn't have to work tomorrow, we would go to the beach. 5. If they were in charge of the project, they would finish it on time.
Conclusion:
-The second conditional is the grammar pattern that we use to speak about imaginary and almost improbable situation.
- The formula is " if + past simple, would + verb"
- After if we do not put would
- After I we put '' were'' instead of ''was''