Second Conditional
Use:
The second conditional structure is used to talk about imaginary situations and the consequences.
Example: If I had a car, I could visit my friend.
(But the truth is, I do not have a car, and I cannot visit my friend).
The second conditional structure is also used to talk about imaginary abilities and the consequences.
Example: If I could fly, I wouldn’t need a car.
(But the truth is, I cannot fly, and so I need a car.)
Form:
1) Make the second conditional in this way.
| If | I you he she... | past simple | , | I you he she... | would / wouldn’t ‘d could / couldn’t | verb (infinitive form) |
Example: If we had more money, we would buy that house.
Or
| I you he she... | would / wouldn’t ‘d could / couldn’t | verb (infinitive form) | if | I you he she... | past simple |
Example: She’d be more successful if she worked harder.
2) The verb to be can use were for all subjects. This is particularly true in the sentence: If I were you…
If I were you, I’d buy a bicycle.
However, this rule is often overlooked.
If he were more careful, he wouldn’t break everything. =>
If he was more careful, he wouldn’t break everything.
3) To talk about imaginary abilities, use could.
| If | I you he she... | could + verb (infinitive) | , | I you he she... | would / wouldn’t ‘d | verb (infinitive form) |
Example: If I could help you, I would!
4) Notice that the infinitive verb after the modal verbs is not necessary if the meaning is clear. Don’t contract modal verbs when there is no infinitive verb present.
If I could pay, I’d... => If I could pay, I would...
Common errors:
1) Many students write would after If
If I would have a lot of money, I would buy that car!
=> If I had a lot of money, I would buy that car!
2) Many students forget to use could to talk about abilities.
If I played the drums, I’d join a band.
=> If I could play the drums, I’d join a band.
Third Conditional
Use:
Use the third conditional to talk about past events. Use it to describe what could have happened (event ‘b’) as a result of something else (event ‘a’). However, neither event a nor event b happened. Therefore the third conditional describes hypothetical, imaginary situations.
If I had been at home yesterday, I’d have got your phone call.
(But, I was not at home, and I didn’t receive your call.)
The third conditional is often used to criticise:
If you had worked harder, you wouldn’t have failed the test.
(But you didn’t work hard and you failed the test).
Or it can be used to express regret:
If I hadn’t spent all my money, I could’ve bought a computer.
(But I spend all my money and I couldn’t buy a computer).
Or it can be used to express relief:
If I we’d taken that route, we’d have been stuck in the traffic jam for hours!
(But we didn’t take that route, and we didn’t get stuck)
Form:
a) Make the third conditional structure this way:
| If | past perfect (had + past participle) (hadn’t + past participle) | , | would have would’ve ‘d have wouldn’t have | past participle |
| EVENT A | EVENT B |
If you’d told me that Anna had put on weight, I wouldn’t have congratulated her on becoming pregnant.
Or:
| I / you / he / she / we / it / they | would have would’ve ‘d have wouldn’t have | past participle | if | past perfect (had + past participle) (hadn’t + past participle) |
| EVENT B | EVENT A |
Jim wouldn’t have made those mistakes if you had trained him properly.
b) You can also use may have / may not have, might have / might not have or could have / couldn’t have to describe less certain possibilities rather than certain consequences.
You might have had an accident if you’d driven home in the snow last night.
c) Sometimes the if clause is implied but not spoken.
‘I’d have helped.’
means ‘I’d have helped if you’d asked me.’
‘I wouldn’t have said that.’
means ‘I wouldn’t have said that if I’d been there.’
Common Mistakes
Some students write would after if. Would does not go in the If clause, it goes in the other clause.
If I would have seen Sally, I’d have told her the news. → If I had seen Sally, I’d have told her the news.
Mixed Conditionals
Use:
Mixed conditional sentences combine two different conditional patterns.
Several patterns can be used:
• mixed first conditional sentences
First conditional sentences can use a variety of modal verbs.
If + present simple, can / may / might / will / should + verb (infinitive)
If you give me some money, I can buy some milk.
If I finish my homework, may I go out with my friends?
If you switch the photocopier off and on again, it should work.
First conditional sentences can also use going to, as well as will.
If + present simple, going to + verb (infinitive)
If you don’t get ready soon, we’re going to be late!
The present continuous and going to can also appear in the If clause
If you’re going to the shop, can you buy me some cola?
If you’re going to pay him, make sure you get a receipt.
The present perfect may also appear in the If clause.
If you’ve finished your work, you can go home.
• mixed third / second conditional
This combination describes an imagined event in the past and the present result.
If + past perfect, would + verb (infinitive)
If he'd taken the medicine, he wouldn't still be sick.
He wouldn’t still be sick if he’d taken the medicine.
• mixed second / third conditional
This combination describes a situation which is never true, and the past consequence of this situation.
If + past simple, would have + verb (infinitive)
If you were better at speaking in public, the presentation would have been more successful.
The presentation would have been more successful if you were better at speaking in public.
Exercises
a) Complete these sentences:
Example: If Sally lived in Brighton, she would be (she/be) near her parents.
Fred would read more, if he didn’t (he/not/work) so hard.
1. If Elizabeth didn’t have to work in the evenings, _________ (she/go) to concerts.
2. Susan wouldn’t go to work by car if _____ (she/live) near a train station.
3. If Peter didn’t live in a flat, ____ (he/have) a dog.
4. Pam wouldn’t definitely learn French if ____ (she/get) a job in France.
b) Complete the Conditional Sentences (Type III) by putting the verbs into the correct form. Use conditional II with would in the main clause.
• If you (study) 
for the test, you (pass) 
it.
• If you (ask) 
me, I (help) you.
• If we (go) to the cinema, we (see) my friend Jacob.
• If you (speak) English, she (understand) .
• If they (listen) to me, we (be) home earlier.
• I (write) you a postcard if I (have) your address.
• If I (not / break) my leg, I (take part) in the contest.
• If it (not/ start) to rain, we (walk) to the museum.
• We (swim) in the sea if there (not / be) so many sharks there.
• If she (take) the bus, she (not / arrive) on time.
c) Complete the sentences with the verbs in brackets.
In case you (buy) a car, will you teach me to drive?
If I (not be) in a hurry, I wouldn't have made so many mistakes.
She won't finish it on time if she (not start) right now.
She (get angry) if you had told her.
On condition that they (support) our product, they would get a discount.
Even if I (ask) him, he won't come.
Had I driven slowly, I (not crash)
It will be a disaster unless they (help) us.
If you (have) something to eat, you wouldn't have felt sick.
I wouldn't risk it if I (be) you.
She would get fat if she (not stop) eating.
The chicken wasn't good. It (taste) better if you had put some spices on it.
Listening
Listen to three people. They are describing their jobs.
Which speaker (A, B or C) is a midwife (a nurse who delivers babies), a farmer, a guitarist?
c) Listen again and note which speaker …
a) has a very stressful job.
b) has never had a day off through illness.
c) works nights.
d) dropped out of school.
e) gets up very early.
f) has made loads of money.
g) works outdoors.
h) works long hours.
Lexis
Replace the underlined words or phrases in these sentences with appropriate italic words: