The Second Conditional

1. Usage of the Second Conditional#

We use the Second Conditional for:

• Imaginary Scenarios: Dreaming about things that are not true now.
• Highly Unlikely Events: Situations with very low probability.
• Giving Advice: Put yourself in someone else’s position (using “If I were you…”).
• Impossible Present Situations: Things that physically cannot happen.

2. Formula and Structure#

The if-clause uses the Simple Past tense, and the main clause uses would + base verb.

Formula: If + Simple Past, ... would + base verb

Alternative: would + base verb + if + Simple Past

Examples:

• Unlikely Event: If I won the lottery, I would travel the world. (I haven’t won and likely won’t).
• Imaginary Scenario: If I owned a spacecraft, I would fly to Mars.
• Advice: If I were you, I would accept the job offer.

3. The “Were” Rule (Substring of To Be)#

In formal English, when using the verb to be in the if-clause, we use were for all grammatical subjects, including I, he, she, and it (instead of the usual was).

• Formal: If I were rich, I would buy a yacht. (Recommended in writing).
• Informal/Spoken: If I was rich, I would buy a yacht. (Common in casual conversation).
• Always “Were” for advice: If I were you… (Never: “If I was you”).

4. Alternative Modals in the Main Clause#

You can replace would with could (to express ability) or might (to express possibility) to change the shade of meaning.

• Ability: If I had his number, I could call him. (I would be able to call him).
• Possibility: If we went to bed early, we might get enough sleep. (Maybe we would get enough sleep).