What Is the Second Conditional?
The first conditional is for real possibilities: If it rains tomorrow, we'll stay in. The second conditional is for things you imagine. They are not true now, or very unlikely.
The if-clause is the half with if. The other half is the result.
NOT TRUE NOWI don't have a car
If I had a car, I'd drive you home.
VERY UNLIKELYAlmost no chance
If I won the lottery, I would buy my parents a house.
FIRST CONDITIONALA real possibility
If I have time tonight, I'll call you.
The past form here means "not real", not past time.
TRY IT
- Question 1
"If I blank how to swim, I'd come to the beach with you."
The forms
POSITIVE
IfS + past simple,S + wouldbase verb
If Lan lived nearer, I'd see her more often.
'd here is would, not had.
NEGATIVE
IfSdidn'tverb,Swouldn'tbase verb
If I didn't have a meeting, I wouldn't be in such a hurry.
Didn't in the if-clause, wouldn't in the result.
QUESTION
WhatwouldSbase verbifS + past simple?
Where would you live if you could choose?
Only the result changes its word order.
COULD / MIGHT
IfS + past simple,S + could / mightbase verb
If I had more time, I could learn to cook.
Could = would be able to. Might = perhaps would.
With be, were is the standard form for every subject: If she were here… In speech, was is common too.
TRY IT
- Question 1
"If my flat were bigger, I blank a party."
When to use it
Giving advice
If I were you, I'd take the job.
Softer than You should.
Small talk
If you could live anywhere, where would you live?
A classic question for getting to know someone.
First or Second Conditional?
| FIRST | SECOND | |
|---|---|---|
| The speaker thinks | this could really happen | this is imagined |
| Verbs | if + present simple, will | if + past simple, would |
| Example | If it's sunny on Sunday, we'll go to Vũng Tàu. | If I spoke French, I'd look for a job in Paris. |
Choose by how likely it feels: If I pass the test (I studied hard), If I passed the test (no real hope).
TRY IT
- Question 1
"Penguins can't fly. But if they blank, they'd visit us in Việt Nam."
Common mistakes
Incorrect:If I would have money, I would buy a house.
Correct:If I had money, I would buy a house.
Would goes in the result, never in the if-clause.
Incorrect:If I were you, I will call her.
Correct:If I were you, I'd call her.
An imagined if-clause needs would, not will.
Incorrect:If I had a bigger kitchen, I would to cook more.
Correct:If I had a bigger kitchen, I would cook more.
No to after would.
Incorrect:If I knew her number, I would called her.
Correct:If I knew her number, I would call her.
Only the if-clause moves to the past. Would + base verb.
Incorrect:If I live near the sea, I'd swim every day.
Correct:If I lived near the sea, I'd swim every day.
A result with would needs the past form after if.
Quick check · 5 questions
Choose the correct verb:
Hải doesn't speak Korean. If he spoke Korean, he could work in Seoul.
- A. spoke — Correct
- B. speaks
- C. would speak
Answer: A. spoke
Hải does not speak Korean. Would never goes in the if-clause.
Choose the correct verb:
If we lived in the countryside, we would have a big garden.
- A. will have
- B. would have — Correct
- C. would had
Answer: B. would have
Will is for the first conditional. After would, the verb does not change.
Choose the correct verb:
If I were you, I'd talk to the teacher.
- A. am
- B. were — Correct
- C. will be
Answer: B. were
You can never be the other person, so the past form. Was is common in speech.
You had a job interview and are waiting for the result. Choose the best sentence:
If I get the job, I'll buy a new laptop.
- A. If I get the job, I'll buy a new laptop. — Correct
- B. If I would get the job, I'd buy a new laptop.
- C. If I get the job, I'd buy a new laptop.
Answer: A. If I get the job, I'll buy a new laptop.
B puts would in the if-clause. C mixes the present with would.
Choose the correct word:
If I had more money, I might travel more, but I'm not sure.
- A. might — Correct
- B. will
- C. would to
Answer: A. might
Might means "perhaps would". No to after it.
See whether it really stuck.
Start the quiz · 14 questions