Read some examples of second conditional sentences and how to use them.
SECOND CONDITIONAL SENTENCES – There are four types of conditional sentences, and here are some examples of this particular type.
A conditional sentence presents a hypothetical situation along with its potential result. It is made up of a subordinate clause that states the condition and a main clause that shows the outcome. Conditional sentences are generally classified into four types, and in this article, we will focus on the second type.
What is a first conditional sentence? This is used to talk about unreal or hypothetical situations in the present or future. Simply speaking, it talks about unreal or improbable situations or what could happen in an alternate reality. Its formula is: If + [simple past], … would + [infinitive].
The if clause is the condition, and the main clause is the result. For example: If the weather wasn’t so bad, we would go to the park.
It is also correct and common to say if I were instead of if I was, like If I were you, I would give up smoking.
When if is followed by the verb be, it is grammatically correct to say if I were, if he were, if she were, and if it were. However, it is also common to hear these structures with was, especially in the he/she form.
Here are some examples:
- If I were you, I wouldn’t mention it.
- If she was prime minister, she would invest more money in schools.
- He would travel more if he was younger.
- If it doesn’t rain tomorrow, we’ll go to the beach.
- If we had a garden, we could have a cat.
- If I had more experience, I would apply for that job.
- If I had enough money, I would go to Europe next summer.
- If I had the latest phone, I would take better pictures.
- If it snowed here, we would build a snowman.
- If I were you, I would talk to the teacher about the problem.