How to Use Second Conditional Grammar

I have had hundreds of students ask about how to use the conditional grammar. Well, it really is not as hard as you think. This blog is the 2nd part of a series of 3 blogs which cover the 1st, 2nd and 3rd conditional. The blog links to this series can be found below.

Let’s look at what makes the 2nd conditional grammar!

Second Conditional: unreal possibility or dream

The second conditional is like the first conditional. We are still thinking about the future. We are thinking about a particular condition in the future. But there is not a real or a likely possibility that this condition will happen. For example, you do not have a lottery ticket. Is it possible to win? No!

So what is the grammar structure of the 2nd conditional?

If + simple past verb + would/could + present verb

Would/could + present verb + if + simple past verb

Can I see some examples?

If I saw an alien I would run!

I would run if I saw an alien!

Let’s have a little fun with the 2nd conditional, the hypothetical situation!

Can you finish the sentences in our blog comment box?

If I won the lottery, I would / could …

If I could do anything in the world, I would / could …

If I could eat anything, I would / could …

My answers:

If I won the lottery, I would be on vacation right now.

If I could do anything in the world, I would go to every country in the world.

If I could eat anything, I would eat snake.

Final remarks:

Can you add more similar examples of the 2nd conditional in the blog comment box for our teachers to check for you?

If you want to improve your grammar or any other part of your English, please book a free trial class  with ETO today!

By: Luke 

ETO American English teacher

How to Use First Conditional Grammar

How to Use Third Conditional Grammar

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