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?
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By: Luke
ETO American English teacher
How to Use First Conditional Grammar
How to Use Third Conditional Grammar
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