English Grammar - Second Conditional

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second conditional

form

If + past simple/continuous + would

functions & examples

We use the second conditional to talk about situations or actions in the present or future, which are not likely to happen or are imaginary, hypothetical or impossible.
If I won the lottery, I would travel around the world and buy a castle in Norway.
(I think that it is very unlikely that I will win the lottery. However, in this unlikely condition, I will travel and buy a castle)

If I wasn't watching TV now, I would be playing football.
(I am watching TV, and imagining what I would do if I wasn't)

If I were an alien, I would be able to travel around the universe.
(It is impossible for me to be an alien. However, I am imagining what I would do in this situation)

important points

We can use other modal verbs in place of would.
If I had more money, I could buy a car.
(Buying a car would be possible)

If I won the lottery, I might give all the money to charity.
(Giving the money to charity is only a possibility)

See also 0 conditional | 1st conditional | 3rd conditional

teaching second conditional

"The easiest (and probably most used) example is the lottery...

Start off by asking students about the lotto in their country. You could even make the whole lesson themed around this, maybe with a text about the lottery to start off for some reading comprehension. (Do a search for "lottery" on the internet and you'll find plenty of news stories about people who've won big).

Next, ask students what they would do if they won the lottery. Don't worry about correct form in their answers at this stage - the important thing is that they get the gist of the question (I'm yet to meet a student who hasn't understood the gist of "If you won the lottery, what would you do?") Develop some of their answers, maybe making another question out of it: "Oh, so if you bought a new car, what kind of car would you buy?"

After a time, ask them if they think they are going to win the lottery in the future, or if it's just imagination. Most, hopefully, will say it's just imagination, it's extremely unlikely they'll ever win.

Now, highlight the form on the board, and then ask them some other examples: "If you lived on Mars, what would you eat?" "If you were an animal, which animal would you be?" etc etc. This time, make sure they answer with the correct form.

Then, have them think of five questions to ask their partner. By making them form their own questions, you are making sure that they understand we're talking about the future, and about hypothetical situations.

A board game with second conditional questions works well for some freer practice in groups."
Posted by Daniel

"I teach second conditional by using cards in which you present hypothetical situations. You write half of the conditional and the students have to complete them. You can do this activity individually or in groups."
Posted by Javier

"Listen to the song "If I had a million dollars" by the Barenaked Ladies. It's full of second conditional. Do a gap fill as you listen to it."
Anonymous

"When students have grasped the structure, it's fun to play "Crazy Sentences". In this game, the class is divided in two. Half write one part of the conditional sentence (the "if" part). The other half write the second part on separate slips of paper. You gather the slips (maintaining the groups) in two bags or hats. One by one each student takes a pair and reads aloud the "crazy sentence". Some examples are: "If I had a dog I would give it to charity." If I travelled to Mars, I would buy twenty pairs of shoes." It brings lots of fun to the classroom and can be played using other grammar structures. Hope you liked it! Virginia."
Posted by Virginia

"I use a powerpoint slide show with normal situations, and then unlikely situations, introducing the second conditional and then eliciting answers. Also songs are really useful. Specially Mariah Carey´s "All I've ever wanted" and Eric Clapton's "Tears in heaven".
Anonymous

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