GRAMMAR

Second Conditional

We use the second conditional for expressing unreal situations. They are imaginations in the present. These situations are unlikely to happen in the present or future.


Audio 8

  Type 1

*If – clause                      ,                    Main - clause
       (Past – continuous)               (Auxiliary        would or wouldn’t)


Examples:

CASE A

If Rachel was playing her stereo, it wouldn’t be so quiet here.
If Nestor was singing a song, she would fall in love.


OR

CASE B

It wouldn’t be so quiet here if Rachel was playing her stereo.
She would fall in love if Nestor was singing a song.

NO COMMAS

Note: When you want to use the past continuous, refer to actions that take long time to do such as: cooking, singing, watching, cleaning, dancing or eating.


Audio 9

 Type 2

*If – clause                ,               Main - clause
                 (simple past)              (Auxiliary        would or wouldn’t)


Examples:

If I had a printer, I wouldn’t ask you for copies.
If a visitor wanted information, he would ask the counter.
If a tourist asked me a favor, I would be happy to help.

Note: You can use negative sentences in both clauses.