Second conditional in English
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In this chapter you will learn about the second conditional in English. This conditional is used to express a hypothetical situation.
The second conditional refers to situation that is now or any time and is unreal. It is used to express a hypothetical condition and its possible result.
Situation | Example |
---|---|
To express a hypothetical situation |
|
To expose wishes or dreams |
|
To display warnings, advice or offer help |
|
In the second conditional, it is correct to use 'If I / he / she / it were' instead of 'If I / he / she / it was'.
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Structure: If + past simple + would + infinitive.
If clause (condition) | Main clause (result) |
---|---|
If you went to bed earlier, | you would not be so tired. |
If she spoke Spanish, | she would be working in Spain. |
Other modal verbs, such as 'could' or 'might' can be used instead of 'would' in the second conditional tense. These modal verbs change the possibility and meaning of the sentence.
Examples:
Train your skills by doing the exercises below!
Fill in the missing tense for the second conditional in English.
Remember:
Structure: If + past simple + would + infinitive.
Example 1:
Example 2:
If you to bed earlier, you would not be so tired. (to go)
If I more about computers, I could fix your laptop. (to know)
If I were taller, I not high heels. (to wear)
If you , you would hurt yourself. (to fall)
If we knew where they lived, we them. (to visit)
If she more money, she could go on holiday. (to have)
If he won the lottery, he a new house. (to buy)
If she didn't feel sick, she us going out. (to join)
If it an emergency, he would come immediately. (to be)
If he worked harder, he accepted into the team. (to be)
Fill in the missing tenses for the second conditional in English.
Remember:
Structure: If + past simple + would + infinitive.
Example 1:
Example 2:
If I (to be) you, I (to tell) your mother the truth.
If you (to have) a boat, I (to go) to the lake with you every weekend.
You not (to be) so tired, if you (to go) to bed earlier.
If we (to have) more money, we (to go) on a holiday together.
If I (to be) you, I not (to go) by car to the party.
If he did not (to smoke) so much, he (to feel) better.
If she Italian, she (to talk) to them.
If I (to break) a glass, my mother (to be) very angry.
If we (to win) the jackpot, we (to buy) a big house.
She (to get) her diploma, if she (to pass) the exam.
Fill in the missing tenses to form the second conditional in English.
Remember:
Structure: If + past simple + would + infinitive.
Example 1:
Example 2:
If she (to go) to bed earlier yesterday, she not (to be) so tired today.
If I (to be) you, I (to sell) your car.
If we (to steal) a piece of jewelry, the police (to punish) us.
I (to ask) my parents for more money, if I (to be) you.
If I not (to live) in Spain, I (to live) in Denmark.
If you (to work) a lot, you (to have) more money.
He (to get) less money from his parents, if he (to get) bad results.
I (to have) more time, if I (to stop) working.
She (to buy) a new car, if she (to win) the lottery.
If (to be) you, I not (to buy) that house.
Fill in the missing tense for the second conditional in English.
Remember:
Structure: If + past simple + would + infinitive.
Example 1:
Example 2:
If you to bed earlier, you would not be so tired. (to go)
If I more about computers, I could fix your laptop. (to know)
If I were taller, I not high heels. (to wear)
If you , you would hurt yourself. (to fall)
If we knew where they lived, we them. (to visit)
If she more money, she could go on holiday. (to have)
If he won the lottery, he a new house. (to buy)
If she didn't feel sick, she us going out. (to join)
If it an emergency, he would come immediately. (to be)
If he worked harder, he accepted into the team. (to be)
Fill in the missing tenses for the second conditional in English.
Remember:
Structure: If + past simple + would + infinitive.
Example 1:
Example 2:
If I (to be) you, I (to tell) your mother the truth.
If you (to have) a boat, I (to go) to the lake with you every weekend.
You not (to be) so tired, if you (to go) to bed earlier.
If we (to have) more money, we (to go) on a holiday together.
If I (to be) you, I not (to go) by car to the party.
If he did not (to smoke) so much, he (to feel) better.
If she Italian, she (to talk) to them.
If I (to break) a glass, my mother (to be) very angry.
If we (to win) the jackpot, we (to buy) a big house.
She (to get) her diploma, if she (to pass) the exam.
Fill in the missing tenses to form the second conditional in English.
Remember:
Structure: If + past simple + would + infinitive.
Example 1:
Example 2:
If she (to go) to bed earlier yesterday, she not (to be) so tired today.
If I (to be) you, I (to sell) your car.
If we (to steal) a piece of jewelry, the police (to punish) us.
I (to ask) my parents for more money, if I (to be) you.
If I not (to live) in Spain, I (to live) in Denmark.
If you (to work) a lot, you (to have) more money.
He (to get) less money from his parents, if he (to get) bad results.
I (to have) more time, if I (to stop) working.
She (to buy) a new car, if she (to win) the lottery.
If (to be) you, I not (to buy) that house.
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I learn Italian with Alessio and I would say that it's a great experience. He is a very thoughtful teacher who puts a lot of thought into how he presents the material. He paces me just right so I feel myself challenged but not overwhelmed. His lessons are engaging, useful, and he is very patient. I would highly recommend him to anyone interested in learning Italian.
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Hey everyone!
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I have two years of teaching experience in private English language schools, and I also have a CELTA certificate. Therefore, I know how to teach English effectively and create lessons to practice speaking, reading, writing, and listening skills.
I love to use technology in the classroom, and I always create fun and colourful PowerPoint presentations to guide us through the lesson. I am always open to suggestions from my students. If you want to focus more on certain topics or activities, I am happy to make that possible for you.
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Hello!
Do you want to learn Italian from zero or improve your language level? Do you need to pass a language certification's exam?
My name is Alessio, and I am and experienced Italian instructor with passion for my job.
Contact me, and we can discuss together a customized plan of lessons.
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I learn Italian with Alessio and I would say that it's a great experience. He is a very thoughtful teacher who puts a lot of thought into how he presents the material. He paces me just right so I feel myself challenged but not overwhelmed. His lessons are engaging, useful, and he is very patient. I would highly recommend him to anyone interested in learning Italian.
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Have you always dreamed of becoming an expert in the English language? Now you can!
I am a sworn translator and have more than 15 years of experience. Together with me you will be a near native speaker in no time!
My name is Wendy and I have been working as a sworn translator and reviser in the English and Dutch language for more than 15 years. In addition, I occasionally help students and pupils with their lessons, young and old.
Would you also like to become a language professional? Or do you just want to be able to get by in the English or Dutch language, and especially want to practice speaking? Then you're in the right place with me. I would be happy to help you!
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Wendy is an enthusiastic new teacher. She is very patient and has a passion for the languages she teaches. She has lots of useful learning materials, and you will certainly feel welcome in her class.
This review was written by a coLanguage team member during a manual screening of this teacher profile.
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Do you want to learn a new language?
Do you want to be able to communicate in Greek or in English in real-life settings or to conduct business?
Do you need help preparing for school?
Do you need help with homework or revision for upcoming exams?
Do you need help preparing for a language exam?
If the answer is `YES` to any of the above questions then contact me for a friendly chat.
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A CELTA certified English Language Teacher and a native Greek; dynamic and results-orientated with long tutoring experience, a strong background in sciences and languages. I am currently completing an M.Ed degree in teaching English as a Foreign/International language.
Trustworthy and approachable with strong rapport skills.
Experienced in working with children, young learners, and adults across various educational settings.
A strong talent to develop and implement creative, hands-on learning that reaches every student`s learning style and ability, whilst empowering students to succeed and reach their individual goals. Every lesson is tailored to the needs of the student. The use of specific handbooks is determined by each student`s desires and needs. Any extra material when needed will be provided by the teacher.
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