Get This!
Listen and read.
Discuss!
- Why do you think Jane has asked Jackson such questions? How would you answer them?
- Which words and phrases from the dialogue mean the same as the items below?
chance issue
manage stop working
Second Conditional
We use the Second Conditional to talk about the result of an imagined situation in the present or future.
Statements | |
If I had nothing to do, I would call my friends. | if + Past Simple, would + base form of the main verb would = ’d |
Negative sentences | |
If I didn’t have my friends, my life would not be the same. | if + Past Simple, would + not + base form of the main verb would not = wouldn’t |
Questions | |
If you needed help, who would you call? | if + Past Simple, (question word) + would + subject + base form of the main verb |
In the Second Conditional, it is correct to use were after I, he, she and it in the if-clause:
If I were you, I would take up dancing.
She would help you if she were here.
Remember to put a comma when the if-clause comes first.
Let’s Practise!
- If we lived by the beach,
- If I was a film director,
- He would learn to play the guitar
- If I could have any superpower,
- If I had a time machine,
- If you could go on holiday,
- What dishes would you cook
I should call Jane tonight – it’s her birthday tomorrow. We could do something together. If I a gentleman, I her roses. Would she like them? If I what her favourite flower is, I her those, of course. Hmm, maybe I shouldn’t buy flowers after all.
If I more time, I shopping and buy her a nice gift. Actually, Jane would love to have a party. If I some of our friends, maybe it possible to have a surprise party for Jane. She would love that! If I just find my phone, I calling right away ...
Pairwork 1
Ask your partner the following questions. Then your partner answers. Switch roles.
Pairwork 2
Discuss with your partner.
What would our lives be like if we didn’t have ...
- mobile phones?
- electricity?
- cars?
- airplanes?
- books?
- police?
- holidays?
- sports?
Pairwork 3
Play a sentence chain game with your partner using the Second Conditional. Start with If I could do anything I wanted, ... .
If I could do anything I wanted, I would learn to fly.
If I learnt to fly, I would fly to …
How Am I Doing?
I can explain how to form the Second Conditional. | |
I can use the Second Conditional to describe imagined situations in the present or future and their results. |
