The second conditional deals with hypothetical situations that are unlikely or impossible in the present or future. It describes what would happen if something different were true. It’s like imagining alternative realities!
First vs Second Conditional
We use the first conditional to talk about possible future situations and we use the second conditional to talk about hypothetical or imaginary future situations.
Structure
- Condition (past tense)
- Result (I + would/could/might + infinitive)
- If + condition + , + result
- Result + if + condition
Examples
- If I had wings, I would fly to the moon.
- If you spoke English, you could get a better job.
- If it weren’t for his help, I might be dead now.
- I‘d never tell anyone if you told me your secret.
- Would you help me if I asked you nicely?
Caveats
In the second conditional we can use if I/he/she/it were (more formal) instead of if I/he/she/it was (spoken English). But we use were (NOT was) when we give advice with the expression if I were you.
- If I were/was fit, I would run a marathon.
- I wouldn’t pay any attention to what he says if I were you.
References