Second conditional (+ wish / if only)
B1 35 / 50
In short
Use the second conditional to talk about present or future situations that are unreal, imaginary, or unlikely: if + past simple, would + base verb. The past tense here means “not real,” not “past time.”
The rule
The second conditional imagines a situation that is not true now (or is very unlikely to happen) and gives its result.
| Part | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| If-clause (the imaginary situation) | if + past simple | If I had a car, … |
| Main clause (the imagined result) | would / could / might + base verb | … I would drive to work. |
- would (‘d) = the normal/probable result: If I won, I would celebrate.
- could = would be able to / would be possible: If I had more money, I could travel.
- might = the result is possible but not certain: If you asked her, she might say yes.
The past simple does not mean the past. It is a “distance” signal that tells the listener the situation is imaginary.
were for all persons. In careful English we use were (not was) for I/he/she/it after if:
If he were taller, he could be a model. / If it weren’t so late, we’d stay.
(was is common in speech, but were is the safe, correct choice.)
If I were you, I'd ... is the fixed formula for giving advice:
If I were you, I’d apologise.
Second vs first conditional (see lesson 28). The first conditional is for real, possible future situations; the second is for unreal or unlikely ones.
| First conditional | Second conditional | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | real / likely | unreal / unlikely / imaginary |
| Form | if + present, will + base | if + past, would + base |
| Example | If it rains, I’ll stay home. | If it snowed in July, I’d be shocked. |
Comma: when the if-clause comes first, put a comma after it. When it comes second, no comma: If I knew, I’d tell you. / I’d tell you if I knew.
Forms & patterns
Second conditional:
| If-clause | Main clause |
|---|---|
| If + subject + past simple | subject + would / could / might + base verb |
| If I lived abroad, | I would learn the language. |
| If she were here, | she could help us. |
wish / if only. These express a wish that the present were different (a present regret) - same “unreal past” idea.
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Present regret / unreal wish | wish / if only + past simple | I wish I had more time. |
| With be | wish / if only + were | I wish I were taller. |
| Annoyance / wanting change | wish / if only + would + base | I wish you would listen. |
If only is just a stronger, more emotional version of wish: If only I knew his name!
wish + would is used for something that annoys you or that you want to change - usually another person’s behaviour or a situation outside your control. You normally don’t use wish + would about yourself.
Examples
| English | Note |
|---|---|
| If I won the lottery, I’d travel the world. | Imaginary future; won = unreal, not past. |
| If I had more time, I would help you with this. | Present situation that is not true. |
| If he were taller, he’d play basketball. | were with he in careful English. |
| If I were you, I’d take the job. | Fixed advice formula. |
| If it snowed in July, everyone would be amazed. | Very unlikely - second, not first, conditional. |
| I wish I had a bigger flat. | Present regret about a real situation. |
| If only I knew his name! | Strong unreal wish about now. |
| I wish you would stop interrupting me. | wish + would = annoyance at someone’s behaviour. |
| I wish it would stop raining. | Wanting a situation to change. |
Common mistakes
- If I will have time, I would help. -> If I had time, I would help. - after if use the past simple, never will/would.
- If I would win, I’d be happy. -> If I won, I’d be happy. - would goes only in the main clause.
- I wish I have more money. -> I wish I had more money. - wish about now takes the past simple.
- I wish you would be taller. -> I wish you were taller. - use wish + past/were for states; wish + would is for changeable actions/annoyance.
- If I knew it I would tell you. -> If I knew it, I would tell you. - comma after a leading if-clause.
Tips
- “Past form = unreal, not past time.” This one idea unlocks both the second conditional and wish.
- For advice, just reach for the ready-made phrase If I were you, I’d …
- Quick test: real and likely? -> first conditional (if + present, will). Imaginary or unlikely? -> second (if + past, would).
- Remember the split: wish + past = a state you regret; wish + would = an action you want to change or that annoys you.