Second conditional – Grammar chart
If clause and main clause
We use if + past to talk about an imaginary present or future situation (although
the verb is in past, the meaning is present or future). And we
use would + infinitive to talk about the result or consequence of that imaginary
situation.
If we had a mansion in the country, we’d go there every weekend.
Would you travel around the world if you won the lottery?
Comma
When the if clause comes first, we normally put a comma after it. We don’t use
a comma when the main clause comes first and the if clause comes second.
If I won the lottery, I’d buy a mansion.
I’d buy a mansion if I won the lottery.
Unless = if (not)
We can also use unless in conditional sentences to mean if … (not)
I wouldn’t live in a big city unless I had a lot of money.
= I wouldn’t live in a big city if I didn’t have a lot money.
Would, could, might
In the main clause, we can use could or might instead of would.
If there was a fire, it would be difficult to escape.
If you were a bit taller, you could be a basketball player.
We might save enough money if we both worked overtime.
Was or were?
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).
If I were/was fit, I would run a marathon.
We wouldn’t have any problems if he were/was more reasonable.
But we use were (NOT was) when we give advice with the expression if I were
you.
If I were you, I would stay home and rest.
I wouldn’t pay any attention to what he says if I were you.
Exercise 1
Choose the correct form to complete the sentences below.
1I'd give you her number if I had/would have/have it.
2If I won the lottery, I think I hadn’t given up/wouldn’t give up/didn’t give up my
job.
3Who had you/did you/would you date if you could date anyone in the world?
4If everybody in the world donate/donated/would donate 1 dollar, we'd finish the
world's problems.
5If you did/would be/were my wife, I'd make you the happiest woman on earth.
6I wouldn’t worry/didn’t worry/hadn’t worried about that if I were you.
7If you told grandpa the truth, he might have/will have/had a heart attack.
8I wouldn't call unless I will have/would have/had a real emergency.
9You hadn’t had/didn’t have/wouldn’t have to spend so much time tidying your
house if you didn't have so much stuff.
10If you didn’t make/won’t make/wouldn’t make so much noise, I could
concentrate.
Exercise 2
Choose the correct form for each gap below.
1If I ______ you, I wouldn't trust him.
a.was
b.were
c.did
2If we didn't take precautions, we ______ hurt. Choose TWO correct options
a.can get
b.might get
c.would get
3You ______ healthier if you ______ a bit of weight.
a.felt / would lose
b.would feel / would lose
c.would feel / lost
4If we sold the house we ______ much right now.
a.didn't get
b.wouldn't get
c.won't get
5Would you mind if I ______ the window?
a.open
b.would open
c.opened
6I ______ him if he _______ me to help him.
a.helped / 'd allow
b.'d help / allowed
c.'d help / allow
7If you painted the walls white, the living room ______ bigger.
a.would look
b.looked
c.had looked
8If I was healthier, we ______ more often. Choose TWO correct options
a.could travel
b.travelled
c.might travel
9What kind of job ______ to have if you ______ a teacher?
a.would you like / weren't
b.would you like / wasn't
c.did you like / wouldn't be
10If drugs ______ legal, the world ______ safer.
a.'d be / were
b.'d be / would be
c.were / would be
Exercise 3
Fill in the gaps with the verb in brackets with would/wouldn’t or in past simple to complete
the following second conditional sentences.
1Where _____________ (you/travel) to if you _____________ (can) go
anywhere?
2What _____________ (you/do) if you _____________ (be) in my situation?
3If she _____________ (know), she _____________ (tell) you.
4I _____________ (have) a better job if I _____________ (speak) English better.
5I _____________ (never/forgive) you if I _____________ (not be) your friend.
6I _____________ (be) happier if I _____________ (have) more time.
7If you _____________ (find) a wallet with a lot of money in it,
what _____________ (you/do)?
8If she _____________ (not criticise) people so often, she _____________
(have) more friends.
9If you _____________ (get) lost, I _____________ (go) to the end of the world
to find you.
10He _____________ (not travel) alone if he _____________ (not have) his
parents permission.
