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 Second Conditional

There are 10 questions in this quiz. Choose the correct answer.

1. Complete the question.
What would you do if there _____ an earthquake?

could be
would be
were

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Second Conditional

Use:
The second conditional structure is used to talk about imaginary situations and the consequences.
Example: If I had a car, I could visit my friend.
(But the truth is, I do not have a car, and I cannot visit my friend).

The second conditional structure is also used to talk about imaginary abilities and the consequences.
Example: If I could fly, I wouldn’t need a car.
(But the truth is, I cannot fly, and so I need a car.)

Form:
1) Make the second conditional in this way.

If I past simple , I would / wouldn’t verb

you you ‘d (infinitive form)
he he
could / couldn’t
she... she...

Example: If we had more money, we would buy that house.

Or

I would / wouldn’t verb if I past simple

you ‘d (infinitive form) you
he he
could / couldn’t
she... she...

Example: She’d be more successful if she worked harder.

2) The verb to be can use were for all subjects. This is particularly true in the sentence: If I were you…
If I were you, I’d buy a bicycle.
 However, this rule is often overlooked.
If he were more careful, he wouldn’t break everything. =>
If he was more careful, he wouldn’t break everything.

3) To talk about imaginary abilities, use could.

If I could + verb (infinitive) , I would / wouldn’t verb

you you ‘d (infinitive form)
he he
she... she...

Example: If I could help you, I would!

4) Notice that the infinitive verb after the modal verbs is not necessary if the meaning is clear. Don’t contract
modal verbs when there is no infinitive verb present.

If I could pay, I’d... => If I could pay, I would...

Common errors:
1) Many students write would after If
If I would have a lot of money, I would buy that car!
=> If I had a lot of money, I would buy that car!

2) Many students forget to use could to talk about abilities.

If I played the drums, I’d join a band.
=> If I could play the drums, I’d join a band.

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 B1 Grammar topics

Alternative comparison (B1_alternative_comparison.htm) 6/10

Both, either, neither (b1_both_either_neither.htm)

Conditional, 2nd (B1_second_conditional.htm)

Conditional, 3rd (B1_3rd_conditional.htm)

Connecting words (b1_connectors.htm)

Embedded questions (b1_questions.htm)

Future Continuous (b1_future_continuous.htm)

 So, such, too, enough (b1_intensifiers.htm)

May, might + adverbs of probability (b1_may_might.htm)

Modals for Recommendations (b1_modals_recommendations.htm)

Modals for Past Deduction (b1_past_modals.htm)

Modals for Present Deduction (B1_present_modals_of_deduction.htm)

Prepositions of place (b1_prepositions_of_place.htm)

Prepositions of time (b1_prepositions_of_time.htm)

Present Perfect Continuous (B1_presperf_continuous.htm)

Present Perfect vs Past Simple (b1_presentperfect_pastsimple.htm)

Passives (B1_simple_passives.htm)

Past Perfect (B1_past_perfect.htm)

Reported Speech (B1_reported_speech.htm)

Question Tags (B1_question_tags.htm)

Should have (B1_should_have.htm)

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Grammar by CEF Level (../CEFR/cefr_grammar.htm)

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