00:00Second conditional
00:04There are four different types of conditional sentences.
00:08In this video we're going to look at second conditionals.
00:13Be sure to check out our videos on zero, first and third conditionals.
00:19You can find the links in the video description.
00:24The second conditional is used to talk about hypothetical and unreal situations in the present or future.
00:34We use it to explore imaginary or unlikely situations.
00:42Here's an example.
00:44If I lived at the beach, I would swim every day.
00:50Second conditional is used because it refers to an imaginary situation.
00:56I don't live at the beach, so I can't go swimming every day.
01:01I'm also not planning to move to the beach anytime soon.
01:06But in this sentence, I am imagining that scenario.
01:12Let's now look at the structure that makes this a second conditional sentence.
01:18To form second conditional, we use the word if, followed by past simple tense.
01:26Then, to form our second clause, we use the modal verb would, along with the base verb.
01:33In English, a base verb is always used after a modal verb.
01:38A comma is used to separate our two clauses.
01:44We use would because we are talking about hypothetical situations.
01:50We can use could instead of would.
01:54For example, if I lived at the beach, I could swim every day.
02:00This suggests that living at the beach would make it possible for me to swim every day,
02:05but it's not as certain that I would actually do it.
02:11Similarly, we can use the modal verb might to show a more uncertain or less definite possibility.
02:19For example, if I lived at the beach, I might swim every day.
02:27In this sentence, the condition comes before the result.
02:32We can change the order.
02:34For example, we could say, I would swim every day if I lived at the beach.
02:42In this case, the structure is flipped around, as you can see here.
02:48If we do this, we don't use a comma between the clauses.
02:55Now we know the structure of second conditionals, let's take a look at a couple more examples.
03:02Number one.
03:04If I were you, I'd take that job offer.
03:08Number two.
03:09If I won the lottery, I would retire.
03:14Number three.
03:15If Lily had a car, she'd drive to work.
03:20Did you notice that two of these sentences use contractions?
03:25I'd, which is the contracted form of I would,
03:30and she'd, which is the contracted form of she would.
03:35Contractions are often used in spoken English.
03:40We know they are second conditional because they follow this structure.
03:45If, followed by a clause in past simple,
03:49then a comma,
03:51then would,
03:53and then a base verb.
03:55These sentences all refer to unreal or hypothetical situations.
04:03You might have noticed something unusual in the first sentence.
04:09The word were is used with the subject I.
04:13Normally, for first-person singular, we would use was, I was.
04:22In second conditional sentences, all subjects use were.
04:27If I were, if you were, if he were, if she were, if it were, if we were, if they
04:41were.
04:43As you can see, were is used even with the subjects I or he, she and it,
04:51where we would normally use was in other situations.
04:56This structure expresses unreal or hypothetical conditions.
05:01This is called the subjunctive mood.
05:05In informal speech, you might sometimes hear people say was instead of were.
05:11However, using were is grammatically accurate
05:15and helps to clearly show that the situation is imaginary.
05:22Now it's time to write a second conditional sentence of your own.
05:27Write about a hypothetical situation that is unlikely to happen or is a dream scenario.
05:35If you'd like, use one of these starters.
05:40Here's the usual structure for second conditional sentences.
05:45Remember, when using the verb to be in the past simple clause,
05:50we use were for all subjects.
05:54For example, instead of saying if I was rich, we say if I were rich.
06:02Also, instead of would, you can use other modals, like could or might,
06:09to express possibility, ability or uncertainty.
06:15And finally, remember that we can switch the order, like this.
06:21Would, plus the base verb, then if, then a past simple clause.
06:29I'd love to see your sentence or sentences in the comments below so I can see how you went.
06:39And remember, if you haven't already, check out our videos on zero,
06:44first and third conditionals using the links below.
06:48Hope to see you soon for the next lesson.
06:50Hope to see you soon.
06:51Have a great video.
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