If - second conditional
-
Two events: both imagined
-
First event: imagine it has happened (past tense because you imagine it's happened)
-
Second event: what you would do if the first event happened (conditional tense because it follows the first but is not guaranteed to happen)
Second Conditional - Explain
An imagined event that has happened.
An imagined event in the future, in relation to event 1.
​
Uses a modal verb because it is not certain to happen. Event 1 is imagined.
Past
Now
Future
Past tense
Conditional tense
If , .
, if .
If + subject + past tense verb phrase, modal verb + present tense verb phrase
​
Subject + modal verb + present tense verb phrase if + past tense verb phrase
If I went here...
I would eat this.
Past
Now
Future
went to my favourite restaurant
would eat steak
If I went to my favourite restaurant, I would eat steak.
​
I would eat steak if I went to my favourite restaurant.
If I bought this...
I could wear these.
Past
Now
Future
bought this dress
could wear these shoes.
If I bought this dress, I could wear these shoes.
​
I could wear these shoes if I bought this dress.
A Different Explanation
Event 1 is a possible event. It could happen. If it happened, then event 2 would / could etc. happen.
Second Conditional - Examples
Past
Now
Future
was taller
could wear different clothes.
If I was taller, I could wear different clothes.
​
I could wear different clothes if I was taller.
Past
Now
Future
studied harder
would have a better job
If I studied harder, I would have a better job.
​
I would have a better job if I studied harder.
Vocabulary - Verbs
Vocabulary - Nouns
We say 'dishes' for anything we've used to cook with.
(the woman)
Second Conditional - Practice
Past
Now
Future
washed the vegetables
could cook them
If I washed the vegetables, I could cook them.
​
I could cook the vegetables if I washed them.
If / dishes / I / should / wash / cooked / the / you
Answer
If I cooked, you should wash the dishes.
Answer - swapped
You should do the dishes if I cooked.
now / tonight / serve / If / beef / prepared / we / the / it / could
Answer
If we prepared the beef now, we could serve it tonight.
Answer - swapped
We could serve the beef tonight if we prepared it now.
baked / If / eat / one / would / cupcakes / you / I
Answer
If you baked cupcakes, I would eat one.
Answer - swapped
I would eat one if you baked cupcakes.
Second Conditional - Negative
You can make either the 'past tense' or the 'future conditional tense' negative.
Past
Now
Future
did not serve the food
would get angry
If I did not serve the food, customers would get angry.
​
Customers would get angry if I did not serve the food.
Past
Now
Future
prepared the chicken this afternoon
could not cook it until tomorrow
If I prepared the chicken this afternoon, I could not cook it until tomorrow.
​
I could not cook the chicken until tomorrow if I prepared the chicken this afternoon.
Past
Now
Future
did not wash the vegetables
should not cook them
If you did not wash the vegetables, you should not cook them.
​
You should not cook the vegetables if you did not wash them.
Second Conditional - Question (?)
You make 'future conditional tense' into a question.
Past
Now
Future
I prepared the pork
could you cook it for lunch?
If I prepared the pork, could you cook it for lunch?
​
Could you cook the pork for lunch if I prepared it?
Past
Now
I washed the dishes now
could you cook tonight?
Future
Answer
If I washed the dishes now, could you cook tonight?
Answer - swapped
Could you cook tonight if I washed the dishes now?
With 'wash the dishes' we often use 'do' as the verb:
​
-
do the dishes
-
did the dishes
-
will do the dishes
-
have done the dishes
Second Conditional - Modal verb review
If I went to the shop, I would buy a new pair of shoes.
-
would - something you do 100% if event 1 happens.
​
If I went to the shop, I should buy a new pair of shoes.
​
-
should - something which would be good to do if event 1 happens.
​
If I went to the shop, I could buy a new pair of shoes.
If I went to the shop, I might buy a new pair of shoes.
If I went to the shop, I may buy a new pair of shoes.
​
-
could / might / may - something which is possible to do if event 1 happens.
​
If I went to the shop, I can buy a new pair of shoes.
​
-
can - something which you have the ability to do if event 1 happens.
Second Conditional - Uses
Advice
-
If I were you, I would ______________________________________.
​
-
If I were you, I wouldn't ______________________________________.
​
"If I was you" is not grammatically correct but often said.
-
If I were you, I would study every day.
-
If I were you, I wouldn't move to that area.
​​
-
If I were you, I would get a new job.
​
-
If I were you, I'd move house.
We would not use 'could' in this situation.
Second Conditional - Extend
"If my dad got a new job, he would earn more money."
We can add the purpose of the money using 'to + verb phrase'
"If my dad got a new job, he would earn more money to spend on holiday."
​
"If my dad got a new job, he would earn more money to move into a new house."
​
"If my dad got a new job, he would earn more money to enjoy his holiday."