The Second Conditional

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Do you know how to talk about hypothetical present? Let’s learn about the second conditional today 🙂

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Introduction to theory part 1 and 2

Read the story.

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Let’s analyse the underlined sentences: -What tense is used after 'if' in the sentences? -What form of the verb is used after 'would' in the sentences? -Are the underlined sentences describing hypothetical present or past situations? -What would you wish for? Do you think Sarah made the right choice?

Theory part 1

Exercise 1

Finish the sentences using the second conditional:

If I had more money, …

If I had more time, ...

If I could speak another language, ...

If I lived in a different country, ...

If I had a superpower, ...

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Let’s go back to our story from the beginning. -Where is 'not' typically placed in a sentence when forming a negative statement? -Where is 'would' positioned in a question?

Theory part 2

Exercise 2

Create the missing positive sentences, negative sentences or questions. You can change the meaning slightly. For example, a possible negative sentences in the first example could be, “If she didn’t live in a small flat, she would adopt a dog”.

1. ➕ If she lived in a big house, she would adopt a dog. ➖ … ❓ … 2. ➕ … ➖ Jim wouldn’t do that if he were you. ❓ … 3. ➕ ➖ … ❓ Would we watch a film if we had some popcorn? 4. ➕ If they lived in Italy, they would eat more pasta. ➖ … ❓ … 5. ➕ … ➖ If they didn’t have the ingredients, they wouldn’t bake a cake. ❓ …

Answer key

If she lived in a big house, she would adopt a dog. If she didn’t live in a small flat, she would adopt a dog. Would she adopt a dog if she lived in a big house?

Jim would do that if he were you. Jim wouldn’t do that if he were you. Would Jim do that if he were you?

If we had some popcorn, we would watch a film. If we didn’t have some popcorn, we wouldn’t watch a film. Would we watch a film if we had some popcorn?

If they lived in Italy, they would eat more pasta. If they lived in Italy, they wouldn’t eat curry. Would they eat more curry if they lived in Italy?

If they had the ingredients, they would bake a cake. If they had the ingredients, they wouldn’t bake a cake. Would they bake a cake if they had the ingredients?

Theory part 3

Exercise 3

Correct the following sentences:

If I would have more money, I would travel the world.

If he would study harder, he would get better grades.

If they would know the answer, they would tell us.

If she would be here, she would help us.

If you would take the job, you would be much happier.

If she would try harder, she would succeed.

If I would know how to fix it, I would help you.

Introduction to theory part 4

Fill in the gaps and watch the clip. Which clause comes first in this sentence: the if-clause or the main clause? Do you think swapping the order of the clauses changes the meaning of the sentence?

"I … (lose) a tie if I … (be) you. And if you’re listening to a story of Mason’s understand that there’s very little reality in it.

Theory part 4

Exercise 4.1

Finish the sentences using the second conditional:

I would adopt a dog if ...

I would travel the world if ...

I would learn to play the piano if ...

I would start my own business if ...

I would volunteer at a shelter if ...

I wouldn’t avoid sugar if …

I wouldn’t say no to a slice of pizza if …

I wouldn’t buy a house if …

I wouldn’t adopt a dog if …

I wouldn’t study English if …

Extra examples:

I would change my job…

I would go back to school…

I would start a blog…

I would try a new hobby…

I wouldn’t cancel our class…

I wouldn’t cook dinner today…

I would go on a diet…

I would take a job abroad…

I would learn Chinese…

I would stop drinking coffee…

I would write a book…

I would change careers…

Exercise 4.2

Fill in the gaps and watch the clip to check your answers.

A “I … (appreciate) it if you … (not tell) anyone. Strictly speaking, I’m not allowed to do magic.”

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‘Would’ is often shortened to just a ‘d’. Take a look at the examples below: I would go. → I’d go. She would tell you. → She’d tell you. They would know. → They’d know. You’ll hear this contraction in the next exercise. Let’s go! 📺

B "That's right, I stepped up! She's my friend and she needed help. If I … (have) to, I … (pee) on anyone of you.”

C "You have a very important thing to do today." "Like what?" "If I … (tell) you that, I … (ruin) the rest of the story, wouldn't I?”

D "If you … (can) be any vacation... Oh! You didn't let me finish. If you … (can) be any vacation, what … you … (be)? I'd be skiing." "If I … (can) be any kind of vacation, I … (be) a lake trip.”

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Both clauses may contain more than just one verb. Take a look at the examples below: "If she had enough money and could take a break from work, she would travel to Japan and learn traditional Japanese cooking.” Just remember to use the correct form of the verb: Past Simple in the if-clause and infinitives in the main clause.

Let’s take a look at one more clip. Fill in the gaps and watch the clip 🙂 E If I ... (have) a cat, I .... (post) my cat all the time and I ... (post) those videos where it’s like “making my cat breakfast” and I ... (crack) a little quail egg into it and like oils and vitamins.

TinaKitten - what if Tina had a cat

Watch TinaKitten's clip titled "what if Tina had a cat"

https://clips.twitch.tv/KindPricklyQuailHeyGuys-yQO95hW-68GcR9lZ

Introduction to theory part 5

Match the phrases with their definitions

roll out of bed 🛏️

to try hard to persuade somebody to have a romantic relationship with you

throw something on 👚

to support or defend someone or something, especially when that person or thing is being criticized

chase after somebody 🏃🏾‍♀️

to relax somewhere, usually with other people, not doing anything in particular

kick it 🍻

to quickly put on some clothes

confront 😠

to rise after sleeping in a bed and especially after sleeping later than usual

stick up for something/someone 🤗

to meet with a person with whom you disagree or whom you will accuse of something

Extra vocab exercise

Fill in the gaps with the phrases from the exercise

Most weekends I'll just … with my friends. Calm and relaxed.

She … of bed just before noon.

I had to … him about the damage to the car.

It's sweet the way he … for his little brother.

I didn't go around flirting or … women.

She … her coat and ran out the door.

Fill in the gaps with the verb ‘to be’ or ‘would’.

“If I … a boy, even just for a day, I … roll out of bed in the morning and throw on what I wanted and go drink beer with the guys and chase after girls. I … kick it with who I wanted and I … never get confronted for it because they … stick up for me. If I … a boy, I think I … understand.”

Listen to this song and check your answers:

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Which sentence is correct? If I was a boy, I’d roll out of bed. If I were a boy, I’d roll out of bed. What do you think?

Theory part 5

Exercise 5

Fill in the gaps.

If I ___ you, I would take that job offer.

We would have more fun if you ___ here with us.

If it ___ sunny, we would go to the beach.

If they ___ more organised, they would finish the project on time.

He would get the promotion if he ___ more experienced.

She would join us for dinner if she ___ less busy.

If I ___ rich, I would travel the world.

If it ___ sunny, we would go to the beach.

Introduction to theory part 6

Watch the clip below (start at 0:15), Harry doesn’t use ‘would’ in the main clause. What does he use instead? Why do you think that is?

"All those with permission follow me, those without stay put" "But professor I thought that if you … (sign) it, then I … go" "I can't. Only a parent or a guardian can sign. Since I'm neither it would be inappropriate.

Now, try to match each sentence with the correct description.

Theory part 6

Exercise 6

Fill in the gaps. Use would, could or might.

If she learned French, she ___ work in Paris. (possibility)

If I knew his address, I ___ visit him. (certain result)

If they had better equipment, they ___ finish the project quickly. (certain result)

If you told me, I ___ help you. (certain result)

If she practised yoga, she ___ feel more relaxed. (uncertain result)

If we had a bigger garden, we ___ grow vegetables. (possibility)

If he drove carefully, I ___ feel safe. (certain result)

If I won the lottery, I ___ travel the world. (possibility)

If they opened a shop, it ___ be successful. (uncertain result)

If I took that job, I ___ move to a new city. (certain result)

Introduction to theory part 7

Look at the graphic and read the sentences. Notice how we use the second conditional to talk about the future, but in a different way from the first conditional. Match each sentence to the correct conditional and its use case.

Theory part 7

Exercise 7

Fill in the gaps with the correct form of the verb, using the first or second conditional. Choose based on whether the situation is probable or not probable.

If I __________ (earn) enough money, I __________ (buy) new shoes. (It's probable)

If I __________ (earn) enough money, I __________ (buy) a mansion with a swimming pool. (Not probable)

If it __________ (be) always sunny, we __________ (never need) umbrellas. (Not probable)

If it __________ (be) sunny this weekend, we __________ (go) to the beach. (It's probable)

If I __________ (study) tonight, I __________ (pass) the exam tomorrow. (It's probable)

If there __________ (be) a flood, the school __________ (be) closed and we __________ (not/have to) write the test. (Not probable)

If I __________ (get) a holiday next month, I __________ (visit) my grandparents. (It's probable)

If I __________ (have) a private jet, I __________ (fly) to my grandparents tomorrow. (Not probable)

If she __________ (be) the CEO, she __________ (change) the company’s policies. (Not probable)

If she __________ (apply) for the job, she __________ (get) an interview. (It's probable)

Introduction to theory part 8

Meet Emma and John, two colleagues having a conversation at work. Read their dialogue carefully to see how they use the second conditional in their conversation. Which example from the list below matches their conversation?

Expressing Regrets

Expressing Wishes

Giving Advice

Polite Requests

Hypothetical Situations

Theory part 8

Exercise 8.1

Read each problem below. Imagine what you would do in that situation and give advice using the second conditional structure (e.g., "If I were you, I would...").

Problem: Sarah spends all her free time watching TV and now she feels unhealthy and tired all the time.

Problem: James is always late for work because he goes to bed very late every night.

Problem: Emma wants to learn a new language, but she feels too busy with her current job.

Problem: Tom has a big exam coming up, but he hasn't started studying yet.

Problem: Rachel wants to save money, but she always ends up spending too much on shopping.

Problem: John gets very nervous before giving presentations at work.

Problem: David has been feeling overwhelmed with his workload and doesn’t know how to manage his time.

Exercise 8.2

Let’s explore how to make polite requests. Watch the clip and complete the gaps in the dialogue.

"Potter, what are you doing wandering the corridors at night?" "I'm sleepwalking. Now, if you don't …, I would … it if you … lower your wand."

“I was just wondering if … you … to go to the ball with me?”

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to wander 🚶🏾‍♂️ /ˈwɒn.dər/ -to walk around slowly in a relaxed way to wonder 🤔 /ˈwʌn.dər/ - to think or used at a beginning of a request to make it more polite

Exercise 8.3

Instructions: Read each situation below. Imagine you are in that situation and use the second conditional structure to make a polite request.

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Here are some phrases you can use: - I would be grateful if you could… - I would really appreciate it if you could… - It would be great if you could… - It would help me a lot if you could… - Would you mind if I asked you to… - I was wondering if maybe you could…?

Situation: You’re at a restaurant, and the food you ordered is too spicy for you.

Situation: You’re working on a group project, and one of your teammates isn’t participating.

Situation: You’re in a library, and the person next to you is talking loudly on the phone.

Situation: You’re in a meeting, and someone is giving a presentation, but you can’t see the screen properly.

Situation: You’re at work and need some help with a task you don’t understand.

Situation: You’re visiting a foreign country, and you don’t speak the language well. You need help finding your hotel.

Situation: You’re in a store and need help finding an item, there’s a shop assistant nearby.