Conditional Centence type 2

 Conditional Centence type 2

In this blog I will submit an article about :

SECOND TYPE IF CONDITIONAL

In a type 2 conditional sentence, the tense in the "if" clause is the simple past, and the tense in the main clause is the present conditional or the present continuous conditional.

Examples

• If it rained, you would get wet.
• You would get wet if it rained.
• If you went to bed earlier you wouldn't be so tired.
• You wouldn't be so tired if you went to bed earlier.
• If she fell, she would hurt herself.
• She would hurt herself if she fell.

Function

The type 2 conditional refers to an unlikely or hypothetical condition and its probable result. These sentences are not based on the actual situation. In type 2 conditional sentences, the time is now or any time and the situation is hypothetical.

Examples

• If the weather wasn't so bad, we would go to the park. (But the weather is bad so we can't go.
• If I was the Queen of England, I would give everyone a chicken. (But I am not the Queen.)
• If you really loved me, you would buy me a diamond ring
• If I knew where she lived, I would go and see her.
• The second conditional uses the past simple after if, then 'would' and the infinitive:

if + past simple, ...would + infinitive

(We can use 'were' instead of 'was' with 'I' and 'he/she/it'. This is mostly done in formal writing).

It has two uses.

First, we can use it to talk about things in the future that are probably not going to be true. Maybe I'm imagining some dream for example.

• If I won the lottery, I would buy a big house.(I probably won't win the lottery)
• If I met the Queen of England, I would say hello.
• She would travel all over the world if she were rich.
• She would pass the exam if she ever studied.(She never studies, so this won't happen)

Second, we can use it to talk about something in the present which is impossible, because it's not true. Is that clear? Have a look at the examples:

• If I had his number, I would call him. (I don't have his number now, so it's impossible for me to call him).
• If I were you, I wouldn't go out with that man.
• How is this different from the first conditional?

This kind of conditional sentence is different from the first conditional because this is a lot more unlikely. For example (second conditional): If I had enough money I would buy a house with twenty bedrooms and a swimming pool (I'm probably not going to have this much money, it's just a dream, not very real)

But (first conditional): If I have enough money, I'll buy some new shoes (It's much more likely that I'll have enough money to buy some shoes)

Notes:

1. The sentence can begin with an if clause or a main clause. If the sentence begins with an ‘if clause’, put a comma between the if clause and the main clause.

If + past tense, or could + (,) +  present unreal conditional ( would  or modals )

Present unreal conditional ( would or modals ) + if + past tense, or could

Examples:

• If I went to Paris, I would see the Eiffel Tower. / I would see the Eiffel Tower if I went to Paris.
• If you had a n invitation card, you should go to the party. / You should go to the party if you had an invitation card.
• If we used the time properly, we would finish our project. / we would finish our project if we used the time properly.

2. If you want, we can use modals in both ‘ıf clause’ and ‘main clause’ or you can use modals only in one part.

Examples:

• If I had enough experience fort he job, the boss could hire him.
• If I could speak english very well, I would look for a job in foreign companies.
• If I understood what the teacher said, I could tell you.

3. In ‘If Clauses Type 2’, we usually use ‘were’ which is past form of ‘to be’ instead of ‘was’ although the pronoun is ‘I, he, she or it’.

Examples:

• If I were you, I wouldn’t marry with him.
• If she were ill, she couldn’t attend the meeting.
• If it weren’t snowy, I would go out.

4. In Type 2, one or two of the clauses can be negative

Examples:

• If I woke up late, I wouldn’t I be aware of what happened.
• If my mother did not remind me, I would forget my worksheet at home.
• If she were angry, she wouldn’t not talk to us.

5. Using Type2 in questions

Examples:

• What would happen if humans disappeared?
• What would we do firstly if a fire broke out?
• Would you cry if he left you?
• What would happen if you didn’t drink water?
• What would you do if you learned that you had a bad illness?

6. Tenses and structures can be used in If Clauses- Type 2 are given below:

In If Clause; past form of to be, past continuous tense, should, could and had to are also used.

Examples:

• If you were clever, you would understand what I meant.
• If she were cooking, I would help her.
• If he could come here, they would show him something that you would like.
• If I had to attend to the meeting, I would miss the plane.
• If she should join us (were to join us), She wouldn’t be bored.

In Main clause; would, would be doing, could, would be able to, might ve would have to are also used.

Examples:

• If I had one more chance, I would try to find out where I made the mistake.
• If it weren’t important, I would not be looking for him right now.
• If I had a good education, I could apply for a job abroad.
• If he earned lots of money, he would be able to buy a new car.
• If we had time, we might get the course.
• If she did not finish the project, she would have to get up early today.

7. Would can be written short as ‘d’. You can always use this abbreviation.

Example:

• If you lost time, you would ( you’d ) miss the bus.