Second Conditional: Structure, Usage and Examples

Learn the second conditional to describe improbable or impossible situations in English with this helpful guide.

The second conditional is a crucial structure in English grammar used to discuss improbable or impossible situations in the present or future. 

The structure of the second conditional is: If + past simple + would + verb.

Here are some examples to illustrate its use:

• If I were rich, I would buy a mansion.
  • This sentence describes an improbable situation because, in reality, the speaker is not rich.
• If I had more time, I would exercise more.
  • This implies that the speaker does not have more time currently, hence they don't exercise more.
• If I were you, I would talk to him.
  • This suggests that the speaker is not in the listener’s position, but offers advice on what they would do in that scenario.

The second conditional helps convey situations that are not likely to happen or are purely hypothetical. It's commonly used to give advice, express dreams, or discuss unreal scenarios.

Watch this video and practice forming your own second conditional sentences.