Second Conditional

The Second Conditional talks about hypothetical or unlikely situations in the present or future and their imagined results. We pair the past simple in the if-clause with would + base verb (or could / might) in the main clause.

Formula

If + past simple → would + base verb

When do we use it?

Unreal or unlikely present/future situations: If I won the lottery, I would travel the world.
Dreams & wishes: If she were taller, she would join the team.
Advice (soft): If I were you, I’d talk to the manager.
Polite offers & requests: If you needed a lift, I could drive you.
Speculation: If aliens visited, how would people react?

Syntax details

Swap the clauses at will:

If I had more time, I would learn Japanese.
I would learn Japanese if I had more time.

Use were for all persons in formal English (If I were you). In informal speech, was is common.

Affirmative, Negative & Question

Form	Structure	Example
Affirmative	`If + V₂ … , would + base`	If she found a wallet, she would return it.
Negative	`If + did not V₁ … , would not + base`	If they didn’t know the way, they wouldn’t drive at night.
Question	`What would + S + do if + S + V₂ … ?`	What would you do if you lost your phone?

More examples

If I knew his number, I would call him.
If she were rich, she could donate more.
If they practiced daily, they would improve quickly.
If we had a garden, we might grow vegetables.
If it snowed in July, people would be shocked.
If he didn’t smoke, he would feel healthier.
If the store were open, I’d buy milk.
If you studied harder, you might get a scholarship.
If dogs could talk, what would they say?
If I saw a ghost, I would run away.

Common mistakes

❌ If I will have time, I would travel.
✅ If I had time, I would travel.
(Use past simple, not future, in the if-clause.)
❌ If he were taller, he will join the team.
✅ If he were taller, he would join the team.
(Use would, not will, in the result clause.)
❌ She would buy a car if she will have enough money.
✅ She would buy a car if she had enough money.
❌ If I was you, I would apologise. (acceptable informal)
✅ If I were you, I would apologise. (preferred formal)