Second Conditional
B1 · IntermediateConditionalsIf I had more time, I would travel more. Unreal or unlikely — past simple + would, never 'would' in both clauses.
What you'll learn
- The second conditional uses past simple in the if-clause and 'would' in the main clause
- It describes something unreal, imaginary, or unlikely in the present or future
- 'Were' (not 'was') is traditionally used for 'I/he/she/it' after 'if,' especially in fixed expressions like 'If I were you'
- 'Would' never appears in the if-clause itself, only in the main clause
An unreal or unlikely situation
The second conditional imagines a situation that isn't real right now — either impossible, purely hypothetical, or just unlikely — and describes what would happen if it were true. The if-clause uses past simple; the main clause uses 'would' plus the base verb.
Never 'would' in the if-clause
Just like the first conditional keeps 'will' out of the if-clause, the second conditional keeps 'would' out of it too. Only past simple goes there — 'would' belongs exclusively to the main clause.
'If I were...' — a special form
In careful or traditional English, 'were' is used for I/he/she/it after 'if,' even though 'was' is common in casual speech. 'If I were you' is a fixed, very common way to give advice.
Real English
Watch out
'Would' never goes in the if-clause of a second conditional — use past simple there instead.
Only the main clause uses 'would' — the if-clause always stays in past simple.
In this fixed, traditional expression, 'were' is used for 'I,' not 'was' — even though 'was' is common elsewhere in casual speech.
Real life — Imagining a different life
"If you could live anywhere, where would you go?"
"Honestly, if I had the choice, I'd move somewhere warmer."
"Same. If I weren't so attached to my job here, I'd already be gone."
"Ha, I know the feeling."
Practice
Exercise 1 · Choose the correct sentence
Choose the correct second conditional sentence.
Exercise 2 · Choose the correct sentence
Choose the correct sentence with 'were.'
Exercise 3 · Choose the correct tense
Which tense goes in the if-clause of a second conditional?
Exercise 4 · Choose the correct sentence
Choose the correct sentence.
Exercise 5 · Choose the hypothetical sentence
Choose the sentence describing an unreal, hypothetical present situation.
Exercise 6 · Choose the correct sentence
Choose the correct sentence with a modal instead of 'would' in the main clause.
Exercise 7 · Choose the correct sentence
Choose the correct sentence.
Exercise 8 · Choose the correct sentence
Choose the correct sentence giving advice.
Exercise 9 · Complete the sentence
Complete the second conditional: 'If I ___ (have) a car, I would drive to work.'
Exercise 10 · Complete the sentence
Complete the second conditional: 'If we ___ (live) closer, we would see each other more.'
Exercise 11 · Sort into groups
0 / 4 sorted
Quick challenge
Five quick questions to check what stuck.
Question 1 / 5
Score: 0/0
Choose the correct sentence.
You learned
- The second conditional uses past simple in the if-clause and 'would' in the main clause.
- It describes something unreal, imaginary, or unlikely in the present or future.
- 'Were' is traditionally used for I/he/she/it after 'if,' as in 'If I were you.'
- 'Would' never appears in the if-clause.
Related grammar lessons
First Conditional
Learn the first conditional — present simple in the if-clause, will in the main clause — for real, likely possibilities in the future.
Third Conditional
Learn the third conditional — past perfect in the if-clause, would have + past participle in the main clause — for imagining a different past.
Other Conditional Expressions
Learn alternative ways to express a condition — provided that, providing, on condition that, and as long as — and which register each one fits.
Zero Conditional
Learn the zero conditional — present simple in both clauses — for general truths, scientific facts, and habits.