If-sentences (2nd conditional)

• newEditor
• Engels
• Middelbare school
• havo
• Leerjaar 3

if clause - second condtional

After this lesson...

you know what the second conditional is and how and when it is used;

what tense and verb(s) are used to form a second condtional;

how to write a sentence in the second condtional.

if clause - second condtional

Are the following sentences likely to happen?

I would be the best president, If I were born in the USA.

If I were smarter, I would study at university.

If I won the lottery, I would be a millionaire!

What is a second conditional?

The second condtional is a clause used to say when things are unlikely to happen.

Things that are unlikely are:
1. getting bitten by a shark

2. winning the lottery

3. being someone else

examples:

If I were you, I wouldn't go out with that man

If I had his number, I would call him.

If I won the lottery, I would buy a big house.

which tenses are used above?

Which tenses are used in the second condtional?

tenses used:

if sentence: past simple

main sentence: would + whole verb:

If I were you, I wouldn't go out with that man

remember!

when you use to be in an if sentence that is in the second condtional you use were instead of was

!

the if sentence and main sentence are normally:

If I were you, I wouldn't go out with that man

but could also be written like this:

I wouldn't go out with that man, If I were you

fill out the 2nd conditional if you...............(listen) carefully, you ........(understand) the lesson.

A

will listen/understand

B

would listen/understood

C

listened/would understand

D

listened/understood

If Lucy (have) enough time, she (travel) more.

If they (solve argument), they (be friends)

if clause - second condtional

After this lesson...

you know what the second conditional is and how and when it is used;

what tense and verb(s) are used to form a second condtional;

how to write a sentence in the second condtional.