Second Conditional

24 May 2014 by Diane

The Second Conditional is used to talk about a present or future hypothetical situation.

IF + SUBJECT + VERB (PAST) , SUBJECT + WOULD (COULD / MAY / MIGHT) + BASE VERB

ex. If I won the lottery, I would buy a new car.  

I would forgive him if he apologized to me.

Remember: Use “WERE” with I/HE/SHE/IT if the situation is IMPOSSIBLE or VERY UNLIKELY.

ex. If I were able to fly, I would travel all around the world.  (This is impossible!)

If I were a millionaire, I would quit my job. (This is very unlikely!)

Here’s a second conditional joke...