Second Conditional — Exercises on If I Had, If I Were You
Practice the second conditional: if I had more time, I would…; if I were you; could and might in the result — unreal present and unlikely future.
-
I don't have a car, but if I ___ one, I'd drive you to the station.
Show answer
had
I don't have a car — this is an unreal present situation → second conditional: 'if' + past simple ('had'). 'Would' never goes in the 'if' part.
-
If I won the lottery, I ___ a house by the sea.
Show answer
would buy
Winning the lottery is very unlikely → second conditional: 'if' + past simple ('won'), 'would' + verb ('would buy'). 'Will' is for real, likely situations.
-
If I ___ you, I'd apologise to her as soon as possible.
Show answer
were
'If I were you' is how we give advice — I'm not you, so it's unreal → past form 'were'. You'll also hear 'if I was you' in conversation.
-
If my job ___ so stressful, I wouldn't need a holiday every two months.
Show answer
weren't
My job IS stressful, so imagining it isn't is unreal → second conditional: 'if' + past form ('weren't'). Present 'isn't' would make it a real possibility.
-
If I ___ how to fix it, I'd do it myself — but I haven't got a clue.
Show answer
knew
I don't know how now ('I haven't got a clue') → unreal present: 'if' + past simple ('knew'). 'Had known' is for an unreal past.
-
What ___ you do if you lost your passport abroad?
Show answer
would
An imagined situation: 'if you lost' (past simple) → the other half takes 'would': 'What would you do?' 'Will' goes with a real, likely 'if you lose'.
-
I'd go running every morning if I ___ have to leave for work at six.
Show answer
didn't
I do have to leave at six, so this is unreal → second conditional: 'if' + past simple ('didn't have to'). 'Wouldn't' never goes after 'if' here.
-
Dreaming of the coast
Every Monday, stuck in traffic on the way to the office, I ask myself the same question: what would happen if I {1} my job and moved to the coast? If I lived by the sea, I {2} before work every morning instead of sitting in a car. Of course, it's a big step, and sometimes I wish I {3} braver. To be honest, if I weren't so cautious, I {4} it years ago. Three years ago I was offered a job at a small hotel by the sea, and I said no. If only I {5} that offer! My partner, Sam, thinks I should stop dreaming, and I wish Sam {6} a bit more interest in the idea. Still, it's not impossible. If I {7} a job I could do from home one day, we could move to the coast.
Show answer
1. left — An imagined, not very likely situation → second conditional: 'if' + past simple ('left'). 'Would' doesn't go in the 'if' part.
2. could go swimming — The 'if' part is unreal present ('if I lived') → result with 'could' + verb: 'could go swimming' (it would be possible).
3. were — A wish about the present — the writer isn't brave enough now → 'wish' + past form: 'were'.
4. would have done — Being cautious is a present trait ('if I weren't'), but the move could have happened years ago → past result: 'would have done'.
5. had accepted — The offer was three years ago → 'if only' + past perfect for a regret: 'had accepted'.
6. would show — The writer wants Sam to change their attitude → 'wish' + 'would' for someone else's behaviour: 'would show'.
7. found — Finding a remote job is possible but uncertain, and the result uses 'could' → 'if' + past simple: 'found'.
Second Conditional: Unreal Present and Unlikely Future
The second conditional is if + past simple with would + verb in the result: If I had more space, I'd get a dog, If I won the lottery, I'd buy a house by the sea. The past form does not refer to past time. It signals distance from reality — the speaker doesn't have the space, and probably won't win. That is the difference from the first conditional, which describes a real possibility: If I have enough money next month, I'll book the flight. The result clause can use could (would be able to) or might (would perhaps) instead of would: If I lived by the sea, I could go swimming every morning. For advice, English uses If I were you; if I was you is common in conversation. The most frequent error is putting would into the if clause — If I would have more time — instead of the past simple: If I had more time.
Last updated: · Satori Editorial