Second conditional

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• havo, vwo
• Leerjaar 2

Second

Conditional

If I could wish upon a star, I would...

What was the first conditional again?

1. If + present simple / would + ww
2. If + future / will + ww
3. If + past simple / will + ww
4. If + present simple / will + ww

A correct example of the first conditional is..

1. If I started eating healthy, I would lose weight.
2. If he doesn't go to bed early, he won't be well rested tomorrow.
3. I could start playing the guitar if I had a guitar.
4. If it rains, he goes to work by car.

First conditional

If I have the time, I will bake a cake for your birthday tomorrow!

present simple   /  will + ww (future)

We use the second conditional to talk about..

1. Facts and habits
2. Hypothetical present/future situations
3. Realistic future situations
4. Realistic present situations

We form the second conditional with

1. if + past simple, would + infinitive
2. if + present simple, would + past tense
3. If + past perfect, would + infinitive
4. If + past simple, would + past simple

A correct example of the second conditional is..

1. If she went to the police sooner, the thief had been caught.
2. The house smells good if my mom bakes a cake.
3. If I had a dog, I would walk in the park every day.
4. The house would smell good if my mom bakes a cake.

Second conditional

We use the second conditional to talk about hypothetical present/future situations.

We use the structure: If + subject + past verb, subject + would + base verb

E.g.: If Tim watered his plants more often, they wouldn't die. 

              If    S        PV                                                     ,   S     would      BV             

Finish the second conditional:
A good friend (to comfort) me if I (to be) sad.

Finish the second conditional:
If I (to win) the lottery, I (buy) a Ferrari.

Now think of a second conditional yourselves!