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Learning activity 4

Presentation

Second conditional: if + past present + would + verb in base form

These animals are sad because they are caged in the zoo. Here are their
thoughts:

Fuente: SENA

Note: We use the second conditional to talk about a hypothetical or imaginary

situation in the present or future and its consequence.

Also, remember that in addition to “would” you can also use the modal
“could” for the second conditional.

 If I won the lottery, I could buy a new car.

 He could visit his grandpa if he had the time.

If I didn’t live here, I would jump all day.

The second conditional has two parts, the condition and the result:

If I were in the jungle I would run freely

Condition Result

If + past simple verb in Would / wouldn’t + verb in

past simple base form

Note: The second conditional can also be made if the following way would /
wouldn’t + verb in base form + if + verb in past simple.

He would pass the course if he studied more.

They would travel abroad if they spoke English.

Remember that the second conditional starts with would / wouldn’t + verb in
base form + if + past simple we don’t use the comma (,). But, when it starts
with if + past simple, would / wouldn’t + verb in base form we use the
comma (,) between the clauses.

I would go downtown if I had the time.  No comma (,).

If she didn’t need the money, she wouldn’t work on Sundays.  Comma (,).

Note: Don’t forget that when you use auxiliaries, such as: did or do; the main
verbs are used in their bare forms. For example:

 She didn’t need the money. √

 She didn’t needed the money. X
 Correct Incorrect
If you went to bed early, you would feel If you went to bed early you
better. would feel better.
They would arrive quicker if they took a They would arrive quicker, if they
taxi. took a taxi.

Practice

A. Complete each sentence with one word from the box using second
conditional. Verb be is used twice.

Note: You’re given a true condition before each sentence to provide extra
information about the situation. For example:

1. True condition: I am not in Paris. I am in Bogota.

Sentence: If I were in Paris, I _would visit_ the Eiffel tower.

marry / sleep / explain / visit / have / go / be(2)

2. True condition: I love ballads. This music is too strong.

If the music __________ better, this bar would be more popular.

3. True condition: I never go to the tennis club.

I could play tennis if I __________ to the club.

4. True condition: It’s 2.00 a.m. and I can’t sleep.

If my neighbors weren’t so noisy, I __________ better.

5. True condition: I love Maria but I can’t marry her.

If Maria weren’t my cousin, I __________ her.

6. True condition: I don’t have any money. I am at home.

We could go to the movies if we __________ enough money.

7. True condition: I haven’t visited the doctor. I’ve been ill for three days.
 If I were you, I __________ to the doctor.

8. True condition: The teacher explained the topic twice. The second time,
he was more detailed.
If the teacher __________ better, we would be confused.

B. Look at the picture and write a sentence for each situation using mixed
conditionals. One example is done for you.

I am too fat. I
can’t wear
this shirt.

Fuente: SENA

Example:

If I were slimmer I could wear this shirt.

 It is raining
today. We
can’t play
outside.

Fuente: SENA

1. ________________________________________________

My mom is
open- minded
that’s why she
is my best
friend.

Fuente: SENA

2. ________________________________________________
 This city is
very safe. You
can walk on
any street at
night.

Fuente: SENA

3. ________________________________________________

This job is
very
stressful. I
don’t like it…

Fuente: SENA

4. ________________________________________________
 The traffic is
terrible. I
always arrive
late to the
office.

Fuente: SENA

5. ________________________________________________

This song is
very difficult. I
can’t play it.

Fuente: SENA

6. ________________________________________________

C. Join each condition with a result. One example is done for you:
 Conditions Results

a. If hunters didn’t kill the Panda I would adopt a puppy.

bear

b. If my car were bigger I would live in the big city.

c. If I spent more time at home I would finish it faster.

d. If the movie were more It wouldn’t be in danger of

interesting extinction.

a.

e. If the air weren’t polluted She would watch it.

f. If this exercise weren’t difficult I would give you a ride in the

mornings.

D. Use the words in parentheses to complete the text with the appropriate
conditional form.
 Fuente: SENA

Did you hear about the man who won 500 million dollars in the lottery? If I (win)
__________the lottery, I (quit) __________ my job immediately. I (buy)
__________ a Lamborghini and a private jet to travel around the world. I (go)
__________ to Las Vegas and gamble in all the casinos. I would also do good
things for society. For example, I (build) ___________ a big house for orphans
in my country. I (create) __________ schools for poor children and hospitals in
remote places. But my personality (change) __________ at all. I would be the
same person I am now.

Production

A. Read the following situations. Write some pieces of advice for each one. A
sentence is given. Make sure your advice is different from the example
suggested.

Situation
There are Richard and Julia. They
are going to marry. But Julia is not
happy with Richard’s tuxedo. What
would you do If you were Julia?
Advice
If I were Julia, I would tell Richard to
wear a black tuxedo because it is an
important day, not a silly one.
 Fuente: SENA

Advice:

Situation Advice
Michael has an important
presentation today at his job, but
he forgot to do it. Michael has a
mixed of feelings. He doesn’t’ want
to go to work, but he doesn’t want
to give a bad impression. What
would you do if you were Richard?
 Fuente: SENA

Situation Advice
Sarah’s friend has told her that he
got a copy of the exam which is
tomorrow. She doesn’t feel
comfortable cheating.
Nevertheless, if she doesn’t pass
that exam, she will fail the course.
What would you do if you were
Sarah?

Fuente: SENA

B. Select one of the following hypothetical situations and write a composition

 explaining what you would do in such case. Use at least three second
conditional sentences in the description. Write at least 6 sentences total.

 What would you do if you won the lottery?

 What would you do if you found out your partner was cheating on you?
 What would you do if you only had 24 hours left to live?

If I…

Document control

Name Position Dependence Date

Theme expert Dirección de

Kelly Johanna Asesor English Dot formación October
Author
Vera Diettes Works - Programa profesional. 2014
de bilingüismo Dirección General

Centro
Rachman Copy editor – Línea November
Adaptation Agroindustrial.
Bustillo Martínez de producción 2014
Regional Quindío