CONDITIONAL : TYPE 2 SECOND CONDITIONAL: UNREAL SITUATIONS Second conditional sentences express unreal or improbable situations. We past tense forms to show "unreality" and distance from the present. Form: In a Type 2 conditional sentence, the tense in the 'if' clause (condition) is the simple past, and the tense in the main clause (result) is the present conditional: * Positive: If I won some money, I'd go round the world. My father would kill me if he could see me now. * Negative: I would give up my job if I didn't like it. If I saw a ghost, I wouldn't talk to it. * Question: What would you do if you saw someone shoplifting? If you needed help, who would you ask? Function: In these sentences, the time is now or any time, and the situation is unreal. They are not based on fact, and they refer to an unlikely or hypothetical condition and its probable result. The use of the past tense after 'if' indicates unreality. We can nearly always add a phrase starting with "but", that expresses the real situation: 1. We use the second conditional to express an unreal situation and its probable result. The situation or condition is imrprobable, impossible, imaginary, or contrary to know facts. Example: If I were the president of my country, I'd increase taxation. If my mother was still alive, she'd be very proud. If Ted needed any money, I would lend it to him. 2. To make a statement about something that is not real at present, but is possible: Example: I would visit her if I had time. (= I haven't got time but I might have some time) 3. To make a statement about a situation that is not real now and never could be real: Example: If I were you, I'd give up smoking (but I could never be you) OTHER MODAL VERBS Other modal verbs are possible in the result clause: Examples: I could buy some new clothes if I had some money. If I saved a little every week, I might be able to save up for a car. Note that after I / he/ she /it we often use the subjunctive form 'were' and not 'was'. (Some people think that 'were' is the only 'correct' form but other people think 'was' is equally 'correct' .) QUESTION: Complete the following sentences: 1. If he were a young man, he ________ able to walk faster. 2. We'd be on the beach if we ________ in Mexico!
CONDITIONAL : TYPE 2
SECOND CONDITIONAL: UNREAL SITUATIONS
Second conditional sentences express unreal or improbable situations. We past tense forms to show "unreality" and distance from the present.
Form:
In a Type 2 conditional sentence, the tense in the 'if' clause (condition) is the simple past, and the tense in the main clause (result) is the present conditional:
* Positive:
If I won some money, I'd go round the world. My father would kill me if he could see me now.
If I won some money, I'd go round the world.
My father would kill me if he could see me now.
* Negative:
I would give up my job if I didn't like it. If I saw a ghost, I wouldn't talk to it.
I would give up my job if I didn't like it.
If I saw a ghost, I wouldn't talk to it.
* Question:
What would you do if you saw someone shoplifting? If you needed help, who would you ask?
What would you do if you saw someone shoplifting?
If you needed help, who would you ask?
Function:
In these sentences, the time is now or any time, and the situation is unreal. They are not based on fact, and they refer to an unlikely or hypothetical condition and its probable result. The use of the past tense after 'if' indicates unreality. We can nearly always add a phrase starting with "but", that expresses the real situation:
1. We use the second conditional to express an unreal situation and its probable result. The situation or condition is imrprobable, impossible, imaginary, or contrary to know facts.
Example:
If I were the president of my country, I'd increase taxation. If my mother was still alive, she'd be very proud. If Ted needed any money, I would lend it to him.
If I were the president of my country, I'd increase taxation.
If my mother was still alive, she'd be very proud.
If Ted needed any money, I would lend it to him.
2. To make a statement about something that is not real at present, but is possible:
I would visit her if I had time. (= I haven't got time but I might have some time)
3. To make a statement about a situation that is not real now and never could be real:
If I were you, I'd give up smoking (but I could never be you)
OTHER MODAL VERBS
Other modal verbs are possible in the result clause:
Examples:
I could buy some new clothes if I had some money. If I saved a little every week, I might be able to save up for a car.
I could buy some new clothes if I had some money.
If I saved a little every week, I might be able to save up for a car.
Note that after I / he/ she /it we often use the subjunctive form 'were' and not 'was'. (Some people think that 'were' is the only 'correct' form but other people think 'was' is equally 'correct' .)
QUESTION: Complete the following sentences:
1. If he were a young man, he ________ able to walk faster. 2. We'd be on the beach if we ________ in Mexico!
1. If he were a young man, he ________ able to walk faster.
2. We'd be on the beach if we ________ in Mexico!