S03: How to form and use the Second Conditional.
How To Form The Second Conditional:
The second conditional is formed by using: if plus imperfect subjunctive, then conditional.
IF + SUBJECT + VERB IN IMPERFECT SUBJUNCTIVE, THEN SUBJECT + VERB IN CONDITIONAL
Examples:
When to use the Second Conditional:
We use the second conditional for present or future situations that are hypothetical, unreal, unrealistic or impossible.
The second conditional speculates about how the present or future would be different if the present or future situation were to change.
Transcript:
Hi, the second conditional. If plus imperfect subjunctive, then conditional. OK, the form of the imperfect subjunctive is the same as the past simple except for the verb to be. Let's look at a couple of examples to start with. If I lived in Germany. OK, If I lived, that I lived is the same form as the past simple, but in reality is an imperfect subjunctive. If I spoke ten languages, again imperfect subjunctive. If I didn't live in Spain. Now for the verb to be I prefer were. If I were rich. Not if... well, if I was many people say, but I prefer if I were. So, if plus imperfect subjunctive then conditional, if I spoke ten languages, I would be satisfied. OK. If I were rich, I would buy a big car. If I lived in Germany my life would be different. OK, all of those are examples. Now what is the use and the meaning of this. We use this to talk about hypothetical situations in the present and the future. Let's try an example. If I spoke ten languages, I don't speak ten languages, I only speak two, maybe three. Erm... If I spoke ten languages, then I would be happy. OK, this is talking about a hypothetical, improbable, present or future. Yes. And that is the idea. If I studied more, I would pass my exams, but the reality is I am not going to study more, I am not studying, therefore I will not pass my exams. Again a hypothetical situation in the present with a result in the future. So, there you are, second conditional. If plus imperfect subjunctive, same as past simple, except if I were, or if he were, then conditional. Thank you and I will see you in the next video, the third conditional. see you there.
Hi, the second conditional. If plus imperfect subjunctive, then conditional. OK, the form of the imperfect subjunctive is the same as the past simple except for the verb to be. Let's look at a couple of examples to start with. If I lived in Germany. OK, If I lived, that I lived is the same form as the past simple, but in reality is an imperfect subjunctive. If I spoke ten languages, again imperfect subjunctive. If I didn't live in Spain. Now for the verb to be I prefer were. If I were rich. Not if... well, if I was many people say, but I prefer if I were. So, if plus imperfect subjunctive then conditional, if I spoke ten languages, I would be satisfied. OK. If I were rich, I would buy a big car. If I lived in Germany my life would be different. OK, all of those are examples. Now what is the use and the meaning of this. We use this to talk about hypothetical situations in the present and the future. Let's try an example. If I spoke ten languages, I don't speak ten languages, I only speak two, maybe three. Erm... If I spoke ten languages, then I would be happy. OK, this is talking about a hypothetical, improbable, present or future. Yes. And that is the idea. If I studied more, I would pass my exams, but the reality is I am not going to study more, I am not studying, therefore I will not pass my exams. Again a hypothetical situation in the present with a result in the future. So, there you are, second conditional. If plus imperfect subjunctive, same as past simple, except if I were, or if he were, then conditional. Thank you and I will see you in the next video, the third conditional. see you there.