The Second Conditional

The Second Conditional
"If I met a genie, I would ask for infinite wealth...“
We use the second conditional when talking about future events that are not likely to happen.

Structure:
If + Simple Past, + Would + Base Form
Would + Base Form + If + Simple Past

If I won a million dollars, I would travel around the world.
(There is a small possibility that I would actually win.)

Dan likes fast cars but he doesn´t have one. He doesn´t have enough money.

I would be surprised if I saw pigs in the sky.
(It is very unlikely for me to see pigs in the sky.)

We also use the second conditional when talking about things which are contrary to the present facts.
"If I had any money, I would give you some."

If she worked less, she wouldn't be so tired.
(In reality she doesn't work less, so she is tired.)
You would see John if you were here now.
(In reality you are not here now, so you don't see John.)
If things were different, we would be happy.
(In reality things are not different, and we are not happy.)
We would be good friends if she were nicer.
(In reality she is not nice, and we are not good friends.)

Note:
You can use these modal verbs instead of would:
should, could, might.
Examples:
If she didn't have her job, she could come with us to the North Pole.
If they wanted to move, they could sell the house to us.
Note:
the short form of would is 'd.
For example: If Kathleen were at home, she'd pick up the phone.

The verb BE
The verb BE has a special rule in this case.
Usually we say: I was, he was, she was, it was, we were, you were, they were.
However, in these cases, we use:
I were, he were, she were, it were, we were, you were, they were.
In other words: "were" is the only form.

If I were you I would apologize.
(In reality I am not you.)

Writing exercises

What would you do…?
1. if there was a fly in the soup?

2. if you saw a ghost?

3. if you were a millionaire?

4. if Pamela Anderson (Mickey Rourke) asked you to marry her (him)

5. if Nikita Dzhigurda asked you to be a baby-sitter to watch his new-born son?

Joke
“CONDITIONAL
FRIENDSHIP”

Mix and Match
If I went to New York
If I met Tom Cruise
If I went to China
If I had enough time
If I lost my job
If I owned a horse
I’d like to see a terracotta statue
I’d be very upset
I’d asked him for his autograph
I’d like to study a new language
I’d climb to the top of the Empire State Building
I’d go riding every day

Make the second conditional
If I (be) you, I (get) a new job.
If he (be) younger, he (travel) more. ..
If we (not/be) friends, I (be) angry with you.
If I (have) enough money, I (buy) a big house.
If she (not/be) always so late, she (be) promoted.
She (pass) the exam if she (study) more.
If I (speak) perfect English, I (have) a good job
You (lose) weight if you (eat) less
We (buy) a house if we (decide) to stay here.
We (come) to dinner if we (have) time.

Multiple-choice exercise
1. If she spoke English fluently , she ................................get a better job.
would
doesn't
wouldn't
2. His parents would be happier if he ...............................................them more often.
Visited
Visits
would visit