USE:
The second conditional is used to express an unreal or improbable condition and its result. The past forms are used to show this is different from reality.
The condition is unreal because it is different from the facts that we know. We can always say ‘But…..’
If I were Prime Minister, I would lower taxes for all the people. /But I’m not Prime Minister./
If I had a tattoo, I would have a little butterfly on my shoulder. /But I don’t have a tattoo./
What would you do if you saw a ghost? /But I don’t think you’ll see a ghost./
FORM:
In the if clause we use if+Past Participle. In the main clause we use would+infinitive /verb stem/.
Positive and negative
If I had more money, I’d buy a washing machine
If we didn’t have to, we wouldn’t work so hard.
If she knew the answer, she’d tell us.
Question
What would you do if you had a year off?
Would you travel around the world? Yes, I would. /No, I wouldn’t.
NOTE:
1. The condition clause can come at the beginning or the end of the sentence.
If I had more time, I’d do it.
I’d do it if I had more time.
2. Were can be used instead of was in the condition clause.
If I were you, I’d go to bed.
If he were here, he’d know what to do.
Použitá literatúra:
1. Project 5, Third edition, Teacher’s Book, Tom Hutchinson, James Gault, Oxford University Press, 20092. Project 5, Third edition, Student’s Book, Tom Hutchinson, Oxford University Press, 2009
3. New Headway, the Third edition, Pre-Intermediate, Student’s Book, John and Liz Soars, Oxford University Press, 2007