Second Conditional – rules and examples how to use it right

If you knew the Second Conditional, expressing your dreams, hopes, wishes, and expectations in English would be much easier. Therefore, in this article, I suggest that you submerge into all the peculiarities as well as rules of using this type.

Contents

1. When the Second Conditional is used
2. How to form an affirmative sentence
3. How to form a negative sentence
4. How to form a question
5. Punctuation in the Second Conditional
6. “Even if” construction
7. Comparison of the second and other types of conditional sentences

When the Second Conditional is used

First and foremost, the Second Conditional is used when discussing impossible or nearly impossible events in the present. We are doubting about the possibility of a particular situation which might occur, though there is still a small chance of it happening.

• If I were you, I would donate more.
• If Henry stopped being so nervous, he would be healthier.
• If you listened carefully, you wouldn’t ask me twice.

In the examples given, it can be seen that theoretically, the people to whom we give these pieces of advice can still listen to us and start acting as we advise them. However, we understand subconsciously that this is unlikely to happen. That is why this type is often called almost unreal.

How to form an affirmative sentence

In order to build an affirmative sentence the following structure is:

• If I had more time, I would certainly spend it with you.
• If my sister practiced more, she would become a good specialist. 

When we want to give someone advice, suggest something or note certain details about a specific situation, we will use the second form of the verb “to be”.

• If I were you, I would talk to your boss anyway.
• If you were me, you would break up with Jane earlier than me.

Here, we use the verb “were” with all persons, that is, not only with “you”, “we”, “they”.

It is also worth knowing that we can use different modal verbs instead of the verb “would” in the main part of the sentence. Take a look!

• If Sarah had one more chance, she would prove that she loves you.
• If your cat ate less, it could grab that mouse.
• If my brother studied more, he might enter the best university in Kyiv.

How to form a negative sentence

The negative particle “not” can be used both in the if-clause and in the main clause. Everything depends on the meaning of the sentence, so you have to be careful with that. Take a look:

• If Wendy worked better, her colleagues wouldn’t be so mad at her.
• If I were rich, I wouldn’t work at all. 

• If you weren't so stubborn and listened to me, your life would be easier! 
• If James didn’t break his leg, he would dance at the party.
   

How to form a question

Building a question can be done in a different way: we can start the sentence as a normal statement and keep the usual construction for the Second Conditional. Nevertheless, we can move the question word forward.

If you were a president, what would you change in our country?

What would you change in our country if you were a president?

Punctuation in the Second Conditional

By the way, did you notice that there is no comma in the last example? It is not just a coincidence. Let's look at how the punctuation changes, because there are some things to be taken into account here.

We must remember that a comma is placed in a sentence only when ”if” is at the beginning. If the sentence begins with the result part, the comma itself disappears.

• If I eat less, I wouldn’t gain so much weight.
• I wouldn’t gain so much weight if I eat less.

“Even if” construction

Frequently in communication, when we seek emotional emphasis, we have a tendency to exaggerate. The "even if" structure serves as an excellent example of emotional expression.

• Even if you paid me a million dollars, I wouldn’t help you! 
• Even if Adele had all of the Grammys in the world, I wouldn’t listen to her songs.

Comparison of the second and other types of conditional sentences

If you're interested in learning more about how the second type differs from others, a free lesson from Green Forest is recommended.

Type zero is used when discussing universally known facts, natural events, and phenomena.

The first type is simply an expression of an ordinary situation that may occur under certain circumstances in the future.

Finally, the third type points us to certain situations in the past, which already have their consequences and results and, in fact, cannot be changed.