Second Conditional: Imaginary Present or Unlike ly Future

the Second Conditional can be used used to talk about imaginary present situations, where we are imagining something different from what is really the case. We can also use it to talk about things in the future that are unlikely to happen, as the condition is unlikely to be met. We use the past tense in the condition part and would for the

result.

There's a very small chance of winning the lottery, so the trip is unlikely

I would travel around the world.

I won the lotteryIf

unlikelyWOULD + base verbfuturepast

simple

I don't have the time, so I'm not going to learn Italian.

I would learn Italian. I had the

time, If

impossible WOULD + base verb

presentpast simple

Possibility Result TimeCondition IF

With the verb to be, there are two forms that can be used with I, he, she & it:

I'd marry her.I was you,If

Was I, he, she, it

I'd marry her. I were you, If

Were I, he, she, it

ResultConditionIF

Third Conditional: Imaginary PastThe third conditional is used when we are talking about the past and imagining something different from what actually

happened:

I didn't know and didn't help.I would have helped.

I had known, If

WOULD HAVE + Past Participle

Past Perfect

What actually happenedResult Condition

Although this didn't happen, it is only a good suggestion or piece of advice.

you should have helped.

you had known,If

Although this didn't happen, the result is only a possibility.

I might have helped.

I had known, If

Although this didn't happen, the result is only a possibility.

I could have helped.

I had known, If

Although this didn't happen, the speaker is sure about the result.

I would have helped.

I had known, If

WOULD HAVE+ past participle

past perfect

CertaintyResultConditionIF