second conditional

The second conditional imagines something different from the real world: a situation that isn't true now, or one you don't really expect. The if part uses the past simple, but the meaning is about now or the future. The other part uses would and the base verb.

In speech and messages, would becomes 'd: I'd, she'd, we'd. The negative is wouldn't.

Either part can come first

When the if part comes first, put a comma after it. When it comes second, you don't need one.

First or second conditional

The first conditional (if + present, will) is for something that can really happen. The second is for something unreal or unlikely.

If I were you

After if, you can use were for every person, also with I, he, she and it. If I were you gives advice. If I was is common in speech, but were is better in writing.

Could and might

Use could for "would be able to" and might for "would perhaps".

Common mistakes

In this pattern, would goes in the other part, not after if.

• × If I would have more money, I would travel. → If I had more money, I would travel.
• × If I have a car, I would drive. → If I had a car, I would drive.
• × I would to buy it. → I would buy it.