The Second Conditional: A Quick Guide to Hypotheticals

The second conditional is a key English grammar structure used to talk about things that are impossible in the present or unlikely to happen in the future. It's perfect for dreaming, imagining, giving advice, and explaining polite refusals.

WHEN TO USE IT

TO IMAGINE & DREAM

For unlikely future events or impossible present situations.

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"If I won the lottery, I would buy a house."

HOW TO FORM IT

THE BASIC FORMULA

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TO GIVE ADVICE

By imagining what you would do in 00 someone else's position. PUNCTUATION MATTERS SPECIAL RULE: 'WAS' VS. 'WERE'

"If I were you, I would talk to my boss."

TO POLITELY REFUSE

By giving a hypothetical reason why you cannot do something.

I would go for a walk if it stopped raining.

"If I had the money, I would lend it to you."

   "If he was here..."            "If he were here..."

For l/he/she/it, you can use 'were' instead of 'was' for a more formal tone.

"If she were taller, she would be an air hostess."

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