Second Conditional

Use the Second Conditional for imaginary or unreal present/future situations.

Explanation

If + Past Simple, ... would + base verb. Example: If I won the lottery, I would travel the world.

Situations that are unlikely or impossible right now.

With 'to be', use 'were' for all persons in formal English. Example: If I were you, I would apologize.

Could/might can replace would for possibility. Example: If I had more time, I could help you.

If + Past Simple, ... would + base verb. Example: If I won the lottery, I would travel the world.

Alternatives

Could/might can replace would for possibility. Example: If I had more time, I could help you.

Were for all persons

With 'to be', use 'were' for all persons in formal English. Example: If I were you, I would apologize.

Imaginary / unreal situations

Situations that are unlikely or impossible right now.

1
“If I had a million dollars, I would buy a house by the sea.”
Imaginary situation.
2
“If I were you, I would take the job.”
Advice with 'were'.
3
“She would travel more if she had time.”
Reverse order, no comma.
4
“What would you do if you saw a ghost?”
Hypothetical question.
5
“If we lived closer, we would see each other more often.”
Unreal present situation.