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A2 · Pre-intermediate15 min

Second Conditional

Syllabus topic 22: Second Conditional

Second Conditional. The second conditional imagines an unlikely or unreal present/future situation: if + past form, would + base verb.

How it works

The second conditional imagines an unlikely or unreal present/future situation: if + past form, would + base verb. Were is common for all subjects in formal hypothetical be clauses. The past form signals distance from reality, not necessarily past time.

Examples in context

Notice how each form fits its sentence. Read the context before choosing a form.

  • If I had more time, I would travel.
  • If she were here, she would help.
  • What would you do if you found a wallet?
  • I would buy it if it were cheaper.
  • If I were you, I would apologise.

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If I had more time, I ___ travel.

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