1Complete the sentence.
2Complete the sentence.
3Complete the sentence.
4Complete the sentence.
Second conditional: explanation and exercises
B1Updated 2026-09-216 exercises
The second conditional talks about imaginary, unlikely or impossible situations in the present or future. The if-clause uses the past simple, but the meaning is not past: the past form signals distance from reality. The result uses would plus the bare verb.
How it is formed
- Structure
If + past simple, would + verb
If I had a million dollars, I would buy a house.
- Advice
If I were you, I would apologise.
- Question
What would you do if you won the lottery?
When to use it
- Imaginary situations: If I lived by the sea, I would swim every day.
- Unlikely events: If she won, she would cry.
- Advice with If I were you.
Common mistakes
Not this
If I would know, I’d tell you.Say thisIf I knew, I would tell you.
No would in the if-clause.
Not this
If I was you, I would leave.Say thisIf I were you, I would leave.
In formal English and advice, use were for all persons. Was is common in speech.
Not this
If I have time, I would go.Say thisIf I had time, I would go.
Second conditional needs the past form in the if-clause.
Tips for teaching it
- Set it up as “an imaginary world”: ask “What would you do if…?” and let students invent the answers.
- Contrast pairs in the same lesson: If it rains (likely) versus If I won the lottery (imaginary).
- Practise If I were you with a short advice-column activity.
Practice: second conditional exercises
Try these exercises. Answers are checked in your browser and never sent to us. Teachers can share this page with a class as it is.
Frequently asked questions
Why is the past simple used for a present situation?
The past form marks distance from reality, not distance in time. If I knew means “but I don’t know”.
Can I use could or might instead of would?
Yes. Could means ability or possibility; might is weaker: If I had a car, I might drive to work.