The Second Conditional

Quick Answer: The second conditional describes imaginary, unlikely or impossible situations in the present or future. The form is if + past simple, would + base verb: "If I won the lottery, I would buy a house." For advice, use "If I were you, I would ..." The past form does not mean past time; it means "not real."

Key takeaways

• Form: if + past simple, would (or 'd) + base verb: "If I had a car, I'd drive to work."
• The past tense here signals "not real", not past time: "If I had a dog" is about now.
• Use it for imaginary present situations, unlikely future events, impossible situations and advice.
• With be, were is standard for all subjects in formal English; "If I were you" is the fixed advice phrase.
• Never put would in the if clause: "If I had money", not "If I would have money".
• Could and might can replace would in the result: "If you asked her, she might say yes."

What is the form of the second conditional?

If clause (imaginary condition)	Main clause (imaginary result)
If + past simple	would + base verb
If I had a car,	I would drive to work.
If she lived closer,	we'd see her more often.
If they didn't work so much,	they'd be happier.

Short form: would becomes 'd (I'd, she'd, we'd). Negative: would not, wouldn't.

As with the first conditional, you can reverse the order. Use a comma only when the if clause comes first.

• If I knew the answer, I'd tell you.
• I'd tell you if I knew the answer.

When do you use the second conditional?

1. Imaginary situations in the present. The situation is not true now.

• If I spoke Japanese, I would work in Tokyo. (I don't speak Japanese.)
• If he had more time, he would learn the piano. (He doesn't have time.)

2. Unlikely future situations.

• If I won the lottery, I would quit my job. (I probably won't win.)
• If aliens landed tomorrow, what would you do?

3. Impossible situations.

• If I were a bird, I would fly over the mountains.
• If I could go back in time, I'd meet my grandparents as young people.

4. Advice.

• If I were you, I would call her.
• I wouldn't buy that car if I were you.

5. Polite requests and suggestions.

• Would you mind if I opened the window?
• It would be great if you could help me.

Is it if I were or if I was?

With the verb be, the second conditional traditionally uses were for all subjects.

• If I were rich, I'd buy an island.
• If she were here, she'd know what to do.
• If it were cheaper, I'd buy it.

In informal speech, many native speakers say "If I was." This is common and acceptable in conversation. In exams and formal writing, use were. The fixed phrase "If I were you" is always with were.

Could and Might Instead of Would

Modal	Meaning	Example
would	certain imaginary result	If I had a car, I would drive.
could	ability or possibility	If I had a car, I could visit you more often.
might	possible result	If you asked her, she might say yes.

Could can also appear in the if clause, meaning "were able to":

• If I could speak French, I would apply for that job.

More on this modal in our guide to can and could.

What is the difference between the first and second conditional?

The difference is about how realistic the speaker thinks the situation is.

First conditional (realistic)	Second conditional (unrealistic)
If I have time tomorrow, I'll call you.	If I had time, I'd call you. (But I don't.)
If it's sunny on Sunday, we'll go to the beach.	If it were summer now, we'd go to the beach. (It isn't.)
If I get the job, I'll move. (I applied.)	If I got a job in Paris, I'd move. (Just a dream.)

The same situation can use either form, depending on the speaker's view. "If I win the match, I'll be so happy" (I think I can win) vs "If I won the match, I'd be so happy" (I don't expect to win). See the first conditional guide for more.

A Quick Look at the Third Conditional

For imaginary situations in the past, English uses the third conditional: if + past perfect, would have + past participle.

• If I had studied, I would have passed. (I didn't study, and I didn't pass.)

This is a B1 to B2 structure. Make sure the second conditional is comfortable first.

What are the most common second conditional mistakes?

Mistake	Wrong	Right
Would in the if clause	If I would have money, I would travel.	If I had money, I would travel.
Present instead of past	If I have a million dollars, I would buy a boat.	If I had a million dollars, I would buy a boat.
Will instead of would	If I were you, I will go.	If I were you, I would go.
Double would	I would go if I would be free.	I would go if I were free.
Reading it as past time	If I had a dog (last year) ...	If I had a dog (now, but I don't) ...

A note for Turkish speakers

Turkish uses -se plus the past or aorist for unreal situations: "Zengin olsam bir ada alırdım." The English pattern maps closely: olsam becomes "If I were", and alırdım becomes "I would buy": "If I were rich, I would buy an island." The -irdi ending is a good signal that English needs would.

Speaking Practice

Answer these questions out loud, using full sentences.

• If you could live anywhere, where would you live?
• What would you do if you found a wallet in the street?
• If you could meet one famous person, who would it be?
• What would you change about your city if you were the mayor?

This kind of imaginative speaking is excellent preparation for exams and for real conversations. Our guide to improving your English speaking has more ideas.

Practice Quiz

Complete the second conditional sentences.

1. If I (be) ___ taller, I (play) ___ basketball.
2. She (travel) ___ more if she (not / be) ___ afraid of flying.
3. If we (live) ___ by the sea, we (swim) ___ every day.
4. What (you / do) ___ if you (lose) ___ your passport?
5. If I (be) ___ you, I (not / say) ___ that.
6. If he (know) ___ her number, he (call) ___ her.

Answers: 1. were, would play 2. would travel, weren't 3. lived, would swim 4. would you do, lost 5. were, wouldn't say 6. knew, would call

If you had a few minutes a day, you could make real progress. Try the LearnLingo B1 course to practice conditionals with Sage the Turtle.

People Also Ask

What is the structure of the second conditional?

If plus past simple, then would plus base verb. For example: If I had more money, I would travel the world.

Why do we say if I were and not if I was?

If I were is the traditional form and is preferred in formal English and exams, especially in the phrase if I were you. If I was is common in informal speech and is widely accepted.

Does the second conditional talk about the past?

No. Even though it uses a past tense form, the second conditional talks about imaginary situations in the present or future. For imaginary past situations, use the third conditional.

Related Reading

• The First Conditional
• Can and Could: Ability, Requests and Permission
• Past Simple Tense: Rules, Irregular Verbs and Examples
• B1 English Level: What You Can Do