G2R – the second conditional

If you COULD live anywhere in the world, WOULD you LIVE in a major metropolis like New York City?

Alright everyone, here’s our first post of Grammar2Remember. Let’s brush up on our use of the second conditional.

• BRUSH UP – review

There are a few things to keep in mind about the second conditional:

1. It talks about the present or the future.
2. It talks about an unreal possibility or option, which means what you’re saying is not true at the moment.
3. We use the past tense in the if clause (the subordinate clause) and a conditional modal (would, could, may, might) in the result clause (the main clause).
4. Use “were” if you are using the verb “to be” in the if clause.

like this:

1. If we had some extra time, we would stop by for a visit.
   (This means: We don’t have any extra time, so we won’t stop by for a visit.)
2. If I were rich, I might buy a boat.
   (This means: I am not rich, so I won’t buy a boat.) [Using might means I am less certain.]
3. If she knew how to cook, she would cook up a feast because she has a lot of free time.
   (This means: She doesn’t know how to cook, so she won’t cook up a feast.)
4. If he didn’t like that place, he wouldn’t go there every Sunday.
   (This means: He likes that place, so he goes there every Sunday.)
5. If she were coming to the party, we could celebrate her birthday then.
   (This means: She’s not coming, so we can’t.)

• COOK UP A FEAST – cook a lot

To practice, finish the following sentences.

1. If I were at home, I would …  (watch a movie.)
2. If I were at work, I could …  (work on my project and finish it early.)
3. If I were on vacation; I might …  (spend the whole day at the beach.)
4. If I knew the President, I might …  (call him now and then.)
5. If I knew how to scuba dive, I would definitely …  (go to the tropics on my next vacation.)

Alright, everyone, I hope you found this lesson useful. It’s important to practice, so make sure you say complete sentences. You may also write some sentences in the second conditional in the comments section below.

To study more and practice the second conditional further, check out part 2 of this series, where we review advanced structures.

Until next time!
Joe Yu
the small guide
thesmallguidesite.com