openMind Level 2

Unit 12 Grammar 2

SECOND CONDITIONAL
 SECOND CONDITIONAL

What would you do

if you were me?

Would you move to a

different country if you
got a good job offer?

1. How many simple past forms can you see?

2. Are these sentences about the past or the future?
 SECOND CONDITIONAL

Look at the conversation and answer the questions.

What would you do

if you were me? I’m not sure what I’d do if I
were you.

What does ’d stand for? would

Can we use it in the if-clause? no

 SECOND CONDITIONAL

Compare these pairs of sentences.

first conditional

1. If I pass this exam, I will be very happy.

second conditional

2. If I passed this exam, I would be very happy.

Which speaker is
more optimistic? 1
 SECOND CONDITIONAL

Choose the best ending.

1. If I knew more about computers,

a) I’ll help you with your presentation.
b) I’d help you with your presentation.
2. How would you feel if you
a) lost your car keys?
b) lose your car keys?
3. If I were you,
a) I would try to save some money.
b) I’ll try to save some money.
 SECOND CONDITIONAL

Complete the table with the verbs in parentheses.

Second conditional
would/could/might +
If + simple past,
verb
had (have) time, he would
he _____ learn (learn)
__________
If
some French.
I _____
were (be) you, I would
__________
learn (learn) a
If
new skill.

I + were
he/she/it + were
 SECOND CONDITIONAL

We use the second conditional:

1. to talk about situations that are unreal:

If I were rich, … not probable

If I were you, … impossible

2. in the present or in the future:

If I had a good job, … now

If I got a good job, … in the future
 SECOND CONDITIONAL

Put a  or a  next to each sentence.

 1a. People might being happier if they had more
realistic expectations.
 1b. People might be happier if they had more
realistic expectations.
 2a. If you get more sleep, you wouldn’t be so tired.
 2b. If you got more sleep, you wouldn’t be so tired.
 3a. Would you buy a house if you had the money?
 3b. Will you buy a house if you had the money?
 SECOND CONDITIONAL

1. Complete the sentences. Use your own ideas.

If my friend …, I would … If I could live

anywhere, I’d …

How would you feel if …?

2. Work in pairs. Talk to your partner.

 SECOND CONDITIONAL

Grammar wrap-up

We use the second conditional

to talk about past situations. False
True or false?

In the second conditional, would

is often contracted to ’d. True or True
false?