Second Conditional

We use the second conditional when we imagine a situation in the present or a future. The situation is
unreal, unlikely or impossible.

We describe the unreal situation in the if clause. We talk about the result of y that situation in the main
clause.

(Unlikely situation) If I stole from work, (result) I’d feel bad.

(Result) I’d like a holiday from work (impossible present situation) If I had more money.

If - clause Main clause

If + past simple/ past continuous. Would/could + base form When we talk about impossible
present situations with be,

We usually use If I were

Statements If I was

If she crashed my car, I’d be very angry. If I were taller, I’d be better at
basketball.
I’d give more money to charity if I were rich
Also, we can use the second
If it was raining and I saw a hitchhiker, I’d stop. conditional to give advice or
opinion, with the phrase
I could go on more holidays if I had more money
If I were you

If I was you
Statements If I were you, I wouldn’t park here.
(I’m imagining situation where I’m
You)
He wouldn’t stop to the help if he saw an accident.
If you didn’t have a job, you couldn’t pay the rent.
Hollywood wouldn’t stop making films if people didn’t go to the cinema.

Questions and short answers

What would you do if you lost your job?

If you didn’t know the answers, would you cheat?
Would you buy your child a motorbike?
Yes, I would / No, I wouldn’t

Unless can be used instead of If… not … in conditional sentences.

. I won’t buy this car unless you agree = if you don’t agree