Second Conditional

Unreal or unlikely present/future results: If + past, would + base

intermediate

When to Use

•Hypothetical/unreal present or future: If I won the lottery, I'd travel.
•Unlikely events: If it snowed in July, we'd be shocked.
•Giving advice/polite suggestions: If I were you, I'd rest.
•Imaginary results: If we lived by the sea, we'd swim daily.
•Softening requests: If you could help, I'd appreciate it.

How to Form

Affirmative (+)

If + past simple, would + base verb

Negative (-)

If + past simple, wouldn't + base verb

Question (?)

What would you do if + past simple?

💡 Use were for all subjects in formal style (If I were you). Don't use will in the if-clause.

Examples

✓If I were you, I'd see a doctor.

✗If I am you, I will see a doctor.

Second conditional uses past + would.

✓If they had more time, they'd help.

✗If they have more time, they'd help.

Use past in the if-clause.

✓What would you do if you lost your keys?

✗What will you do if you lost your keys?

Use would in result, past in condition.

Common Mistakes

💡 Practice Tips

• Pattern: If + past, would + base. No will in if-clause.
• Use were for all subjects in advice formula: If I were you, I'd...
• Compare with first conditional (real) and third conditional (past unreal).
• Use contractions for natural tone: I'd, you'd, we'd.

first-conditional third-conditional mixed-conditionals 📝 conditionals-intermediate 📝 second-conditional-quiz

Second Conditional

Unreal or unlikely present/future results: If + past, would + base

intermediate

When to Use

•Hypothetical/unreal present or future: If I won the lottery, I'd travel.
•Unlikely events: If it snowed in July, we'd be shocked.
•Giving advice/polite suggestions: If I were you, I'd rest.
•Imaginary results: If we lived by the sea, we'd swim daily.
•Softening requests: If you could help, I'd appreciate it.

How to Form

Affirmative (+)

If + past simple, would + base verb

Negative (-)

If + past simple, wouldn't + base verb

Question (?)

What would you do if + past simple?

💡 Use were for all subjects in formal style (If I were you). Don't use will in the if-clause.

Examples

✓If I were you, I'd see a doctor.

✗If I am you, I will see a doctor.

Second conditional uses past + would.

✓If they had more time, they'd help.

✗If they have more time, they'd help.

Use past in the if-clause.

✓What would you do if you lost your keys?

✗What will you do if you lost your keys?

Use would in result, past in condition.

Common Mistakes

💡 Practice Tips

• Pattern: If + past, would + base. No will in if-clause.
• Use were for all subjects in advice formula: If I were you, I'd...
• Compare with first conditional (real) and third conditional (past unreal).
• Use contractions for natural tone: I'd, you'd, we'd.

first-conditional third-conditional mixed-conditionals 📝 conditionals-intermediate 📝 second-conditional-quiz

Second Conditional

When to Use

How to Form

Examples

Common Mistakes

💡 Practice Tips

Related

Second Conditional

When to Use

How to Form

Examples

Common Mistakes

💡 Practice Tips

Related

When to Use

How to Form

Examples

Common Mistakes

✗If it will rain, we'd stay home.

✗If I was you, I'd quit.

✗If you studied, you pass.

💡 Practice Tips

Related

When to Use

How to Form

Examples

Common Mistakes

✗If it will rain, we'd stay home.

✗If I was you, I'd quit.

✗If you studied, you pass.

💡 Practice Tips

Related