Gramática · G16
Second Conditional
daydreams with grammar attached
el segundo condicional
In this unit
The second conditional is for imaginary or unlikely situations. The if-part uses a past tense, and the result uses would + verb ('If I had more time, I'd learn guitar'). A special point: with the verb 'be', we use 'were' for everyone ('If I were you…'). In
stops — the third conditional waits in the next book.
El segundo condicional sirve para situaciones imaginarias o poco probables. La parte del if va en pasado, y el resultado con would + verbo ('If I had more time, I'd learn guitar'). Un detalle: con el verbo 'be' usamos 'were' para todos ('If I were you…'). Aquí también aprenderás a expresar deseos
How you'll practise: Complete the sentence · True or False? · Circle the mistake, then write the correct version below · Rewrite as a wish · Your real life.
El slang se queda en la frase. Toca la palabra con puntos — o clic derecho — y sale qué significa.
The story of English · la historia
For imaginary situations, English uses a past form to talk about the present ('if I had money, I'd travel') — and there is a neat reason. The past feels far away, distant from now. English borrows that feeling of distance to mean 'distant from reality' — that is, not real. So a past form here = 'this isn't true'. English lost most of its old subjunctive, but one piece survives: 'were' in 'if I were you' (not 'was'). Spanish uses its subjunctive here ('si tuviera dinero, viajaría'), so the idea is familiar.
Para situaciones imaginarias, el inglés usa una forma de pasado para hablar del presente ('if I had money, I'd travel') — y hay una razón bonita. El pasado se siente lejano, distante del ahora. El inglés toma prestada esa sensación de distancia para significar 'distante de la realidad' — es decir, no real. Así que aquí una forma de pasado = 'esto no es verdad'. El inglés perdió casi todo su viejo subjuntivo, pero sobrevive una pieza: 'were' en 'if I were you' (no 'was'). El español usa aquí su subjuntivo ('si tuviera dinero, viajaría'), así que la idea es familiar.
In plain English · en cristiano
Second conditional = imaginary. If + past, then would + verb: If I had time, I'd learn guitar. Use were for everyone: If I were you.
Segundo condicional = imaginario. If + pasado, luego would + verbo: If I had time, I'd learn guitar. Usa were para todos: If I were you.
El patrón · The pattern
IF + past If I had the money
WOULD + verb I'd a little (just a little)
IN CONTEXT · en contexto
If I were you, I'd apologise before it's a whole thing.
How do we do this in spanish? · ¿Y en español?
Spanish uses the imperfect subjunctive (Si tuviera… aprendería); English fakes it with a past form and were for everyone.
El español usa el subjuntivo (Si tuviera… aprendería); el inglés lo imita con un pasado y were para todos.
Want to learn it with the song?
The Conditionals Song 3nglishwith3li.com/songs
Letra · Lyrics
“If Polly were rich, she’d hire a butler — which is imaginary.
— Second conditional: if + past, would + verb.”
escáneame todas las canciones→
Ready to try? Hope so… here come the questions
Answers live at the back — no peeking till you’ve had a real go.
Important examples (you might need these) — warm up with these
•If I had the money, I'd flex a bit — just a bit.
Si tuviera el dinero, fardaría un poco, solo un poco.
•If she moved to the city, it'd be a total .
Si se mudara a la ciudad, sería un cambio radical a mejor.
•If the plot were less , I'd actually finish the series.
Si la trama fuera menos regulera, me acabaría la serie.
AComplete the sentence with the second conditional.
1. If I (have) the money, I (flex) a little.
Si tuviera el dinero, fardaría un poco.
2. If she (move) to the city, it (be) a total .
Si se mudara a la ciudad, sería un cambio total a mejor.
3. If the plot (be) less , I (finish) the series.
Si la trama fuera menos regulera, me acabaría la serie.
BTrue or False?
1. The second conditional talks about an imaginary or unlikely situation. True
False
El segundo condicional habla de algo imaginario o poco probable.
2. The past tense here is a real past. ****
El pasado aquí es un pasado real.
3. We use were for I, he and she (If I were you...). ****
Usamos were para I, he y she (If I were you...).
4. I wish + past expresses a wish about now. ****
I wish + pasado expresa un deseo sobre el presente.
CCircle the mistake, then write the correct version below.
1. If I was you, I would apologise.
Si fuera tú, pediría perdón.
2. If I had money I will travel.
Si tuviera dinero, viajaría.
3. I wish I have a car.
Ojalá tuviera coche.
DRewrite as a wish with I wish + past.
1. If I had more time, I'd stream more. (question)→
Si tuviera más tiempo, haría más directos. (pregunta)→
2. If she were here, it'd be a . (negative)→
Si estuviera aquí, sería un ambientazo. (negativa)→
3. Turn it into a wish: 'I wish…'.
Conviértelo en deseo: 'I wish…'.
EYour real life. Write TWO second conditionals about your dream year.
•If you had unlimited money for one day, what would you do? (second conditional)
Si tuvieras dinero ilimitado un día, ¿qué harías?
1.
2.
CAMBRIDGE PRACTICE · B1 Preliminary · Writing · Part 2
Exam tip. B1 Preliminary Writing Part 2 lets you choose a story. A story built on 'If I could...' showcases the second conditional — examiners reward range, so mix in an I wish + past too. Write a short story (about 100 words) that begins with this sentence. Use at least two second conditionals.
Escribe una historia corta (unas 100 palabras) que empiece con esta frase. Usa al menos dos oraciones de segundo condicional.
“If I had one free day, I would...”
BOSS LEVEL · Dream On
Tick True if it's a correct second conditional.
Marca True si es un segundo condicional correcto.
1. If I was you, I'd apologise. (spot the slip: were) ****
'If I was you'… (encuentra el error: were)
2. If I had the money, I'd flex a little. ****
Si tuviera el dinero, fardaría un poco.
3. If she moved to the city, it'd be a total . ****
Si se mudara a la ciudad, sería un cambio total a mejor.
4. I wish the plot weren't so . ****
Ojalá la trama no fuera tan regulera.
How did you do? Did you check the answers?
¿Qué tal? ¿Has mirado las soluciones al final?
✓ what i’ve nailed
LO QUE ME HE CLAVADO