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Second Conditional

December 16, 2013 by Bret Tutor

Second Conditional

SecondConditional_SecondConditionalTag_Main

The second conditional refers to a condition in the future that is not likely to happen. For example, you did not read a book assigned for a book report. The possibility of you getting an “A” on the assignment is highly unlikely or what is also referred to as unreal. You could get lucky and guess all of the answers, but again that is near impossible. Here is the structure:

IF Condition Result
past simple WOULD + base verb
If I read the book I would pass my class.

We are still talking about a future condition. In formulating the second conditional we use the past simple tense to address the future activity and then we use WOULD + base verb talk to address the potential future result. Always remember there is only a remote possibility of this condition happening.
For example:

IF Condition Result
past simple WOULD + base verb
If I exercised daily I would be thin.
If he left his job he would be happy.
If he moved to this town I would date him.
If it rained at your wedding what would you do?

The words should, could or might can substitute the word would in some cases. For example: If I won the contest, I should take a picture.
Also, you can switch the order of the clauses(result and condition) along with the if statement:

Result IF Condition
WOULD + base verb if past simple
I would be thin if I exercised daily.
He would be happy if he left his job.
I would date him if he moved to this town.
What would you do if it rained at your wedding?

Filed Under: Conditionals Tagged With: Conditionals, Grammar, Second Conditional

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