Second conditional
Second conditional
If I had a job, I'd get my own flat.
If David spoke good English, he could get a job in that new hotel.
I would get on better with my parents if I didn't live with them.
I wouldn't do that job unless they paid me a really good salary.
We use second conditional to talk about a hypothetical / imaginary present or future situation and its consequence.
If I had a job... (I don't have a job, I'm imagining it).
We use the past simple after if and would / wouldn't + infinitive in the other clause.
We can also use could instead of would in the other clause.
If your sister were here, she'd know what to do.
If it was warmer, we could have a swim.
After If, we can use was or were with I, he and she.
If I were you, I'd buy a new computer.
We often use second conditional beginning If I were you, I'd... to give advice.
Choosing between the first or second conditional
Using a first or second conditional usually depends on how probable you think it is that something will happen.
If I have time, I'll help you.
This is a real situation, it's possible that I'll have time (first conditional).
If I had time, I'd help you.
This is a hypothetical / imaginary situation, I don't have time (second conditional).
My ideal holiday would be a week in the Bahamas.
I'd never buy a car as big as yours.
Exercício a
I wouldn't live with my parents if I didn't have to.
Nick wouldn't have to commute every day if he worked from home.
If they didn't have such a noisy dog, they would get on better with their neighbours.
I wouldn't buy that bike if I were you. It's too expensive.
Would we sell our house if somebody offered us enough money?
If my mother-in-low lived with us, we would get divorced.
Would you share a flat with me if I paid half the rent?
If my sister tidied her room more often, it wouldn't be such a mess.
You wouldn't treat me like this if you really loved me.
If we painted the kitchen white, would it look bigger?
I wouldn't buy a house with a garden if I didn't enjoy gardening so much.
Exercício b
I'll stay with my sister if I have to go to London for my job interview.
I'd buy my own flat if I had enough money.
My kids would get up earlier if they didn't go to bed so late.
Where will you live if you go to university?
If you don't pass your exams, what will you do?
I'd buy a bigger house if I were sure we could afford it.
We couldn't have a dog if we didn't have a garden.
How will you get to work if you sell your car?
If we sit in the shade, we won't get sunburnt.
If you could change one thing in your life, what would it be?
He won't be able to pay next month's rent if he doesn't find a job soon.
If she made less noise, her neighbours wouldn't complain so often.