Second conditional | Unreal conditionals

Summary

In this lesson, Andrew from Crown Academy of English teaches about the second conditional, used to describe hypothetical or unlikely situations in the present or future. The lesson covers the structure of second conditionals, which combines a past simple condition with 'would' + base verb for the result. It also discusses exceptions like the subjunctive mood with the verb 'to be,' and contrasts the second conditional with the first conditional. Andrew highlights key differences in form and meaning, offering real-life examples and explaining how modal verbs like 'might' and 'could' add nuance to the meaning of second conditionals.

Takeaways

• 😀 The second conditional describes hypothetical or unlikely situations in the present or future.
• 😀 The structure of a second conditional sentence is: If + past simple, would + base verb.
• 😀 The second conditional is used to express unreal situations, such as imagining having a lot of money.
• 😀 The order of the clauses can be reversed, but when the condition comes first, a comma is used.
• 😀 When the verb 'to be' is used in the condition, we use the past simple subjunctive form (e.g., 'If I were you').
• 😀 Using 'If I were you' is a common way to give advice in the second conditional.
• 😀 The verb tense in the condition of a second conditional is the past simple, but it does not refer to past time; it shows an unreal situation.
• 😀 The modal verb 'would' is used in the result clause, with the verb always in its base form (e.g., 'I would go').
• 😀 The second conditional differs from the first conditional in that it talks about unreal or unlikely situations, while the first conditional refers to real or likely events.
• 😀 When modals like 'might,' 'could,' or 'would' are used in the second conditional, they express different levels of possibility, ability, or certainty.
• 😀 The second conditional is ideal for discussing dreams, hypothetical scenarios, or offering advice about unlikely situations.

Q & A

What is the second conditional used for?

The second conditional is used to describe hypothetical, impossible, or unlikely situations in the present or future.

Can you provide an example of a second conditional sentence?

An example would be: 'If I had a lot of money, I would buy an expensive car.' This is a hypothetical situation where the person does not actually have a lot of money.

What is the basic structure of a second conditional sentence?

The structure is: 'If' + past simple verb (condition), followed by 'would' + base form of the verb (result). Example: 'If he knew her telephone number, he would call her.'

Can the order of the condition and result in a second conditional sentence be reversed?

Yes, the order can be reversed. For example, 'He would call her if he knew her telephone number.' When the order is reversed, no comma is needed.

What tense are the verbs in the condition part of the second conditional?

The verb in the condition part of the second conditional is always in the past simple tense, even though it refers to the present or future.

What is the difference between the past simple and past simple subjunctive mood when the verb 'to be' is used?

In the second conditional, when the verb 'to be' is used in the condition, it takes the past simple subjunctive form. For example, 'If I were you, I would go to London.' The subjunctive mood uses 'were' instead of 'was'.

Why is the sentence 'If I was you, I would go to London' incorrect?

This sentence is incorrect because 'was' should be 'were' when using the past simple subjunctive mood in a second conditional sentence, as in 'If I were you, I would go to London.'

What does 'would' represent in the result part of a second conditional sentence?

'Would' in the result part represents a hypothetical action or result. It is followed by the base form of the verb, such as 'I would go' or 'He would call.'

How does the second conditional differ from the first conditional?

The second conditional describes unreal or unlikely situations (e.g., 'If I had a lot of money, I would buy a car'), while the first conditional describes real, possible future situations (e.g., 'If I become president, I will reduce taxes').

What are some common modals used in the second conditional, and what do they express?

Common modals in the second conditional include 'would', 'might', and 'could'. 'Would' indicates certainty, 'might' suggests possibility, and 'could' implies ability in a hypothetical situation.