Unreal Conditional IDIOMA TECNICO 4

Grammar Notes
SECOND CONDITIONAL
A. Introduction to Conditionals
Conditionals are used to express a hypothetical situation. This is when you

don’t know if something will happen or not, so you make a guess about
what the result might be. There are four conditional patterns in the English
language, and they usually involve an “if” clause. This lesson will focus
on the second conditional, also known as the unreal conditional.
B. The Second Conditional

Tip #1
Pattern: If + past, would + base verb The verb in the if clause is a simple past verb, and the
verb in the main clause is would + the base form of
Use: The second conditional shows an unlikely or
the verb. A sentence can begin with either clause with
impossible outcome that wouldn’t happen in no change in meaning. Remember that a sentence
most cases (unless a specific condition were that begins with an if clause is followed by a comma.
somehow met).
• If they had more money, they would buy a car.
• They would buy a car if they had more money.
Examples
Sentences Condition Outcome Explanation
• If we won the lottery, Winning the

we would travel around the world. winning the traveling
lottery is rare,
lottery around
so this is very
• We would travel around the world the world
if we won the lottery. unlikely.
• If I had wings, I would fly to Japan. I don’t have

having flying wings, so this
• I would fly to Japan if I had wings. wings to Japan is impossible.
She doesn’t live

• If Lisa lived near the beach, she would learn to surf. living near learning near the beach
the beach to surf now, so this
• Lisa would learn to surf if she lived near the beach.
is unlikely.
Grammar Notes cont.
B. The Second Conditional cont.
Examples cont.
Sentences Condition Outcome Explanation
I don’t have a
• If I were rich, I wouldn’t work anymore.* not
being rich lot of money
working
• I wouldn’t work anymore if I were rich. right now, so
this is
unlikely.
• If my grandparents were young again, They can’t

they would do things differently. living life in
being go back in
a different
young again time, so this
• My grandparents would do things way
differently if they were young again. is impossible.
• If the children had a pool, they would swim every day. They don’t have
having swimming
a pool now, so
• The children would swim every day if they had a pool. a pool every day
this is unlikely.
She can’t
• If she grew an extra head, she would be twice as smart. growing being twice
grow another
another as smart
• She would be twice as smart if she grew an extra head. head, so this
head
is impossible.
*Tip #2 Tip #3 Tip #4

The Be verb in conditional Would can contract to ‘d with Could + base verb can be used
sentences is always were subjects that are pronouns. in place of a past verb or would
(not was) for all subjects. Would not can contract to + base verb to indicate ability
Some people choose to wouldn’t with any subject. or possibility.
ignore this rule, but it’s
best to follow it. • If the clerk were taller, • If I could ski, I would buy
she’d be able to reach a season’s pass at my
• If I were a dog, I would lie the top shelf. local mountain.
around in the sun all day.
• If my coworker • If I didn’t have to babysit
• If Juan were an astronaut, inherited a lot of money, tonight, I could go to
he would fly to the moon. he probably wouldn’t Marco’s party.
work here anymore.
CONDITIONAL COMPARISON CHART
Name Form Time Function Example
Use this conditional to show • If he takes vitamins every day,

an outcome that happens he doesn’t get sick.
Zero Conditional If + present, present Present
if a specific repeated • He doesn’t get sick if he
condition is met. takes vitamins every day.
Use this conditional to show • If she studies for the test,

First Conditional Present/
a likely or possible outcome she will get a good grade.
(Real Conditional) If + present, will + verb Future
that will probably happen if • She will get a good grade
a specific condition is met. if she studies for the test.
Unlikely situation
Use this conditional to show • If he won the lottery, he would quit his job.
Present/ an unlikely or impossible • He would quit his job if he won the lottery.
Second Conditional If + past, would + verb
(Unreal Conditional) Future outcome that probably
wouldn’t happen (unless a Impossible situation
specific condition were met). • If I had wings, I would fly to Antarctica.
• I would fly to Antarctica if I had wings.
• If I had remembered to call my

Use this conditional to show
friend last night, she wouldn’t
If + had + p.p., a past regret or different
Third Conditional Past have sent me an angry text message.
would + have + outcome that would have
• My friend wouldn’t have sent
p.p. happened if a specific
me an angry text message if I had
condition had been met.
remembered to call her last night.

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Grammar Notes

Conditionals are used to express a hypothetical situation. This is when you

B. The Second Conditional

Sentences Condition Outcome Explanation

• If we won the lottery, Winning the

• If I had wings, I would fly to Japan. I don’t have

She doesn’t live

Sentences Condition Outcome Explanation

• If my grandparents were young again, They can’t

*Tip #2 Tip #3 Tip #4

Name Form Time Function Example

Use this conditional to show • If he takes vitamins every day,

Use this conditional to show • If she studies for the test,

• If I had remembered to call my

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