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

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:

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"