Lesson Summary
Let's study 2nd Conditional sentences! I'll explain how we use the Second Conditional & help you practice with examples and exercises!
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Video Transcript
Section 1
Hey there I'm Emma from mmmEnglish! Today we're going to roll up our sleeves and practise with the second conditional. Now this is one of my favourite grammar structures in English because we use it in different ways and we can have lots of fun with it as well.
So that you know exactly what will happen in this lesson let me give you a bit of an overview.
Firstly we're going to talk about the meaning, when and why you should use the second conditional. Then we're going to look at what it looks like, what words, what tenses, what punctuation are important to help you use the second conditional accurately. Then I've got a few important extra tips to help you use the second conditional correctly. So make sure you stick around for that part and of course, there'll be some practice at the end.
I'll be making a series of videos about conditionals so make sure you subscribe to the channel and turn on notifications so that you know when each new lesson is ready for you.
Now this lesson is a little longer than usual because I really want to give you a clear and complete understanding of the second conditional. So go grab a coffee or a cup of tea, settle in.
You won't regret it. Before we dive into this lesson, I want to make sure you know that the Lingoda Language Sprint is about to start. This intensive online language course runs for ninety days and it's gonna boost your English grammar, your vocabulary, your speaking skills. Plus you can earn one hundred per cent of your money back if you finish it and because Lingoda are now an official partner of Cambridge Assessment English, all sprinters can take the Cambridge online language test for free. Sprint registrations are open right now so you still have time to join. In just three months you could be speaking English more confidently and more accurately.
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Alright let's get started with this lesson. When can you use the second conditional? We use it in a few ways:
1. to imagine that our lives or someone else's life is different
2. we use it to ask hypothetical questions
3. to give advice
4. and to give reasons why you can't do something
So you might have practised a little with the first two but the third and the fourth are both interesting and different ways to use the second conditional. So I'm really excited to get into those.
1. To imagine life is different
But let's start with number one. We use the second conditional to talk about things in the future that are unlikely or things that are impossible in the present.
So we use it to imagine and to dream that the present situation is different than it really is. Now this could be because it's impossible now or because it's really unlikely to become real in the future, not completely impossible but unlikely.
So with the second conditional, we say if this happened then that would happen. So for example.
If I had enough money, I would buy a house.
If the present situation was different then I would do that.
If I won the lottery, I'd buy a house.
Now this is an unlikely event in the future right because it's unlikely I'm gonna win the lottery. Possible but unlikely. Before we keep going with the other ways to use the second conditional, let's spend a little bit of time focusing on what it looks like.
Conditional sentences all have an if clause and a main clause which is sometimes also called the result clause because it can only happen if the if clause occurs. It's a condition, right? If this happens, then that happens.
Now what exactly makes a conditional sentence the second conditional?
So the second conditional uses a past simple verb in the if clause then ‘would' followed by the infinitive verb in the main clause.
If she lived in London, she would have English friends.
The if clause is the condition. Does she live in London? No, we're talking about a hypothetical situation here right so the result clause suggests what would be different and would tells us that we're imagining the result or you know she would have English friends. It's not real. She doesn't have English friends now but it could happen if she lived in London.
If she lived in London, she would have English friends.
Now you can definitely make one or both clauses negative in a second conditional sentence.
If I didn't want to go, I would tell you.
If I didn't finish my homework, I wouldn't tell my teacher.
2. hypothetical questions
And of course, we can ask second conditional questions too. Hypothetical questions to ask someone to imagine what they would do in a different situation. So these situations are not real but it's kind of fun to ask these types of questions right? It really helps to keep conversations going sometimes.
What would you do if you quit your job?
If you won a million dollars, would you travel the world?
If you only had one day in Singapore, what would you do?
See how fun these types of questions can be?
Choose one of them to answer in the comments below but make sure you write your answer as a full second conditional sentence to practise the structure okay?
If I only had one day in Singapore, I would…
Now you can actually use ‘could' in the if clause to ask a similar question so you would be saying if you were able to or if it were possible to.
If you could travel to any country, where would you go?
Now notice that when you use ‘could' in the if clause, the verb that follows ‘could' is in the infinitive form not in the past simple and that's because it's a modal verb right? Standard English grammar rule. After modal verbs, we always have the infinitive.
3. give advice
Now we've been talking about hypothetical situations so far but what are these other uses because we can use the second conditional to give advice and if you think about it, when someone asks you for advice, you usually try to imagine what you would do in their situation and share that with them. So for example.
If I were you, I'd talk to my boss before I quit my job.
If I were her, I'd break up with him.
Now if you're wondering why in both of those examples I was using ‘were' with the subject I, I'm going to talk about that in a few minutes.
4. give reasons why
But lastly, you can use the second conditional to give reasons why you can't do something. You've probably already noticed that English speakers are usually quite polite to each other.
Instead of just saying ‘no' we often try and soften our responses by explaining why we can't do something and sometimes you might just want to explain a situation a little more so the second conditional can really help you to do this. So for example.
If I had the money, I'd lend it to you.
I don't have to explain myself any further here. This sentence already explains that I don't have the money so I can't help. But it suggests that maybe you want to, that maybe you would if you could.
If I wasn't so busy, I'd invite you over for dinner.
But I am really busy so I can't invite you over.
So we've covered what the second conditional looks like and when you can use it but now I want to share some extra tips to help you understand it better and to help you use it accurately.
So the first one I want to mention is that ‘if' is a conjunction, right? The purpose of conjunctions is to join two sentences or two different clauses together. There's a really strong relationship between the two clauses in a conditional sentence, right? They're really connected. The if clause contains a condition and the main clause contains the result, right? They rely on each other.
Now you may know that with all conditional sentences, you can change the order of your clauses. When this happens, it doesn't change the meaning but there is an important punctuation change that you need to make.
If it stopped raining, I would go for a walk.
I would go for a walk if it stopped raining.
Now the meaning in these two sentences is exactly the same but notice that when the main clause comes first, we don't include that comma before the if clause. Now to be honest this is really only significant if you're sitting an English exam or you're doing academic writing. You're going to get marked down for that type of punctuation error. But generally, that's not really something you need to lose sleep over.
Now in spoken English, the subject and ‘would', they're usually contracted.
I'd
you'd
she'd
he'd
they'd
we'd
Now it's much easier to say this type of sentence quickly and it helps you to sound a little more relaxed as well. But these contractions, very common in spoken English, common in informal written English but you shouldn't be using contractions in formal written English, right? Just steer clear completely.
Now one of the most interesting parts about the second conditional is that it breaks some standard be verb grammar rules, right? We can actually use ‘were' instead of ‘was' with I, he, she and it, right?
Both of them are grammatically correct but I guess ‘were' is a little more formal alright so we would use it in more formal situations.
If I was you, I would break up with him.
If I were you, I would break up with him.
Both of those sentences are the same.
If she was taller…
If she were taller… she would be an air hostess.
So again we can use either, it's totally okay, ‘were' is a little more formal.
All right, phew, oh my gosh! So after all of that, I want you to practise writing some sentences with me in the comments. Now if you're feeling pretty confident about this, go ahead and create your own sentences, freestyle, you know. Get creative. Give advice. Talk about hypothetical situations. Give reasons why but if you're feeling still maybe a little uncertain, I've added these questions in the description below so all you need to do is copy them and paste them into your comment and then complete the answers yourself. So I'll be down there checking your answers all weekend to make sure you're getting them right and if you need some help and support, I'll be there.
If you enjoyed this lesson, make sure you give it a like, subscribe to my channel so that you know when the next lesson is going to be ready for you. As I said, I will be adding more lessons just like this, with the first, the third, mixed conditionals as well. They're coming. So I'm guessing that your grammar brain is a little fried right now so if you're keen to keep practising with me, let's try something a little lighter, maybe some pronunciation perhaps. Thanks for watching friends. I will see soon. Bye!
mmmEnglish Video Lessons are a series of video lessons created to build confidence in English learners and focus on English in daily life. Download them and watch them anywhere! Subscribe to my YouTube Channel to be the first to get my new videos, and come and say hi on my Facebook page!!
If I won a million dollars,I,d defenetly travel all over the word!
We'd buy a house if we decided to stay here.
I'd ask my parents for a loan if I couldn't afford it on my own.
If you asked me to, I would do it.
I'd take you with me if I were you.
If he drove a car he'd make his life easier.
Yes, if I got a million dollare, I could travel around the worl
If I had enough money,I would pay tuition for my friends.
I would love to travel to the Australia because my sister is living there.
I would love to travel to Australia because my sister is living there ✅
Where's the conditional?
is really your sister living in Australia?.because my sister is living there too and my dream to go with her
If I were you I wouldn't do that
If I had enough money I would buy a big house
If I helped her she'd make a cake .
Copy/Paste these Practice Sentences into the comments for me to check!
1. We would buy (buy) a house if we decided (decide) to stay here.
2. I would ask (ask) my parents for a loan if I were you.
3. If you asked me to clean the machine, I would do it.
4. I would take you with me if I had not busy or, I would take you with me if I had time
5. He would say that is the best book If he could read it.
I'm grateful for you Emma!
Thank you so much for your information.
And have question. I'm little confused. Actually there should be one one negative form the sentence.
But is it possible to say: “If she didn't invite me, the accident wouldn't happen.”?
If I got 1 million dollars, I wouldn't be here. 🙂
Hi Emma,
I enjoy your classes a lot. You have a nice voice and your explications are clear and interesting. You give a lot of advice to develop English skills. If I lived in Australia, I would take presence class with you, but, I can see your videos, thanks for it. If I won the lottery, I would live in Australia for a year and increase my English. If I speak more frequently in English, I could improve my conversation skills.
Thanks again
Miguel López
1- We would buy a house if we decided to stay here
2- I would ask my parents for a loan if II were you
3- If you ask me to apply, I would
4- I would take you with me if I could
5- If he less drank, his life would be better.
Thanks a lot for your so much good videos. You are great!!!!
If he drank less, his life would be better ✅
And thank you for the kind words!
1.What would you do if you quit your job?
If I quit my job I would try to find a new one more relevant to my education and experience such as in a accountant office.
2. If I only had one day in Singapore, I would walk over the traditional paths to see natives culture and living conditions.
1.If I had your education I would work to a more wellpayed and respectfull job.
Thank you ever so much indeed. You are pretty, smart, generous and sweet.
If there was not flight prevention before Nawroz, I would visit Australia.
If I had IELTS score, I would stop learning the English language.
I would travel to all the countries if I were you.
Hi Emma, thank you so much! In this video I got one thing positive to fight boring situation right now related, especially, to pandemic Covid-19. Honestly, you are inspiring me. Thank you for sharing this with all of us. Keep smiling Emma, we need it!
If I only had one day in Singapore, I would visit the most famous or popular place there.
we would bought a house if we decided to stay here .
i would ask my parents for a loan if i were you.
if you asked me to swim i went to the river.
if i could climbed the mountain i would go with him.
We would buy a house if we decided to stay there ✅
If you asked me to swim, I would go to the river ✅
If I could climb the mountain, I would go with him ✅
If there wasn't flight prevention, I'd visit Australia during Nawroze.
I'd visit most of the countries in the world if I were you.
1. We would buy a house if we decided to stay here.
2. I would ask my parents for the loan if I were you.
3. If you asked me to help you with your homework, I could do it in twenty minutes.
4. I would take you with me if you weren't sick.
5. If he were alive now, I wouldn't be a widow and wouldn't so cry :((
Hi teacher.
Since few days I am starving to understand conditionals. I gone through many possible ways. I picked somehow buy I would say it did not work out well.
My big concern is that i checked many sites and they suggests 2nd conditional is a situation where something won't take place in future or present.Ijust want to know why they say it like this.. if I say if had car I would go to the park . It's clear I don't have car but who knows if get money in future and buy a car. So why they strictly say it's kind situation which is impossible ?
Hello Emma. First up I want to say words of gratitude to your work.
If my sister respected herself she would divorce with her husband.
If my sister respected herself, she would divorce her husband ✅
Excellent lesson teacher! Thanks!
Edvar Venâncio.
Thank you, Edvar!
If I watched all the brilliant videos created by mmmEnglish, I would significantly improve my English.
✅✅✅
1. If I were in Bali I would be at the beach right now
2. What would you do if you were twewnty yeras younger?
3. If I were you I would call your mother before she call you
4. If I were free I wold travel to africa with you
twenty years ✅
If I were you, I would call your mother before she calls you ✅
If I were free, I would travel to Africa with you ✅
5. If he was/were older I would buy a car for him.
Correct!
Thank you very much my teacher.
I made a lot of sanitizing hand gel, I'd donate a lot for hospitals.
Thanks Emma
If I take a Plain I would arrive early to New York, If I don't eat enough I would loss my health , If don't run I would loss the subway, If I don't go to Frankfurt I would not get in the nw job.
This lesson was interesting and will be useful, thanks for your advices .
thank's for your advices.
Hi Emma, thank you for your warm, gracious pedagogy. If I only lived closer to you, I would try to see you whenever possible…
1) wE bought a house if we would decide to stay here.
2 ) I'd ask my parents for a loan if I were you.
3 ) If you asked me to accompany your parents to rail station I would do it.
4 ) I would take you with me If you were gone out galley.
5 ) If he were me he would finish the work.
We would buy a house if we decided to stay there ✅
If you asked me to accompany your parents to the rail station, I would do it ✅
I would take you with me if you were going to the gallery ✅
1. We would buy a house if we decided to stay here.
2. I would ask my parents for a loan if I was you.
3. If you asked me to help with your Math homework, I would do it soon.
4. I would take you with me if it stopped raining.
5. If he was here, she would go away.
I try to practice your questions.
Thank you so much for your teaching.
if i had a good teacher, i would learn English.
1. We would buy a house if we decided to stay here.
2. I would ask my parents for a loan if I were you.
3. If you asked me about that conditional clause, I would definitely explain it in detail.
4. I would take with me if you finished your task.
5. If he were there, he would control the situation.
Thank you so much, teacher!
I would take you with me if you finished your task ✅
If I could travel to any country, I would go to Kanada. I want to see Niagara falls very much.
1. If I didn't afraid of blood I would become a doctor.
2. If you didn't need to work, what would you do?
3. If I were her, I would try to get this job.
4. If I celebrated my birthday, I would invite all my colleagues.
Canada ✅
If I wasn't afraid of blood, I would become a doctor ✅
1. We wouldn't buy a house if we didn't decided to stat here.
2. I would ask my parents for a loan If I were you.
3. If you asked me to learn spoken English, I would do it happily.
4. I would take you with me to Khamsom village for fishing if you were older.
5. If he were my brother, I would teach how to cook.
Thank you Good teacher.
We wouldn't buy a house if we didn't decide to stay there ✅
If he were my brother, I would teach him how to cook ✅
If I had remedy of that diseas I would have give it you for free.
Excellent lesson .Always difficult the second condition.
If you asked me to help you in Polish, I would give you a few lessons next month.
I would take you with me if you enjoyed hiking in the mountains.
If he got the job as a warehouse worker, he would help his poor parents.
If I only had one day in Singapore, I would see the Gardens by the Bay.
If I only had one day in Singapore, I would go to a beach.
If you had a free flight ticket, wich place woud you choose?
If you had a free flight ticket which place would you choose to visit?
1. We would buy a house if we decided to stay here.
2. I ‘d ask my parents for a loan if I were you.
3. If you asked me to buy, I’d buy it.
4. I would take you with me If I could it
5. He would talk to she if she were here
I would take you with me if I could ✅
He would talk to her if she were here ✅
if you had corona virus medicine, what would you do to your country?
I would send it to whole world to change that game , if i had Corona virus medicine.
If the virus were not present here and now, I could go to work. If I went to my job, I would earn more money. In spite of everything, my good friend every day, except during the weekend, go to his job. I often tell them. “If I were you, I would have more serious about this situation”. But he ask me. “What would you do if you lost your job.” Of course I answered him with a question: “What could you do if you got a sick”
Probably I should have put: “But he asked to me” instead without “to”.
Aegvc
Dear Emma, if I knew where to find the thumb, I'd give your lesson a thumbs up.
You are brilliant,Emma!
Emma Mam ! Had you been in India,I would have attended your classes
If I were a resident of your country, I would attend your classes regularly.
You are really a good teacher.Thumbs up
If they paid well , i would finish that work more accurately Would you finish that work , if you had enough time.
If i was you , i would ask him for transport service to my place.
If i had more time , i would clean it too.
IF I WERE YOU I WOULD NEVER LET HER GO
IF I HAD VIDEO CALL FACILITY I WOULD CALL YOU EVERYDAY
IF YOU COULD SELECT ONE SUBJECT WHICH SUBJECT WOULD YOU SELECT
IF I FOUND MY BOOK I WOULD GIVE IT YOU
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If I had a girlfriend,i would go for date with her.
If my girlfriend were with me here, we would celebrate our love anniversary.
If I knew that you were there, we would never come.
If I had an experience of cooking, I would prepare food for you.
He would never be I'll if he prevented.
How would you love me if I were tour husband?
To whom would you get marry if you didn't get marry with me? If you really loved me, you would bring out the moon and stars for me? If he were not silly boy, he would be loved.
I I were a a kid, everyone would kiss me.
Thank you so much for this lesson.I have a question. in our textbook, the example of the second type condition given is: ‘If I did not fall, I would win the race'. The speaker says this AFTER a race in which he fell on the track and finished last. Is the example correct here?
or should it have been ‘If I had not fallen I would have won the race'. pls reply. because the children have been being taught the same textbook for the past 4 years.
Rewrite the sentences using the Second conditional so that they have the same meaning as the sentence original:
1- Jenny has got two small children so she doesn’t travel.
2- My sister doesn’t have enough money, so he isn’t going to buy a new car.
3- Anne doesn’t have a lot of friends, so she doesn’t go out often.
4- We need to hurry because we are late.
5- You have a stomach ache because you eat a lot of junk food.
6- I can’t do this exercise because it’s so diffi cult.