2nd Conditional

The second conditional is also called the present unreal conditional.

STRUCTURE

 If     +     Simple Past     +     Modal     +     Base Verb
Examples:

• If I had more money, I would buy a car.
  
• If he were 16, he could drive.
  

USES

Unreal situations in the present

• If I were the teacher, I would make class shorter.
  

Imagined events

• If I were rich, I would buy a private jet.
  

Impossible present situations

• I would go to the party, if I didn't have to work.
  

Was vs. Were

Use “were” for all subjects.
Examples:

• If I were rich, I would not work.
  
• If he were older, he would understand.
  

Questions 

Here are some examples of questions using the 2nd conditional:

• What would you do if you were me?
  
• If you had $1,000, what would you buy?
  
• If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you want to live?
  
• Who would you like to meet, if you could meet anyone?
  

Notice that the questions are often unreal situations.  In the examples, it is clear that it is impossible to live anywhere in the world or meet anyone in the world.