Second conditional

Second conditional
The Second Conditional is used to talk about 'impossible' situations.
* If we were in London today, we would be able to go to the concert in Hyde Park.
* If I had millionsdollars, I'd give a lot to charity.
* If there were no hungry people in this world, it would be a much better place.
* If everyone had clean water to drink, there would be a lot less disease.Note that after I / he/ she /it we often use the subjunctive form 'were' and not 'was'. (Some people think that 'were' is the only 'correct' form but other people think 'was' is equally 'correct' .)* If she were happy in her job, she wouldn't be looking for another one.
* If I lived in Japan, I'd have sushi every day.
* If they were to enter our market, we'd have big problems.
Notethe form 'If I were you' which is often used to give advice.
* If I were you, I'd look for a new place to live.
* If I were you, I'd go back to school and get more qualifications.
The SecondConditional is also used to talk about 'unlikely' situations.
* If I went to China, I'd visit the Great Wall.
* If I was the President, I'd reduce taxes.
* If you were in my position,you'd understand.
Note that the choice between the first and the second conditional is often a question of the speaker's attitude rather than of facts. Compare these examples. Otto thinks these thingsare possible, Peter doesn't.
* Otto – If I win the lottery, I'll buy a big house.
* Peter – If I won the lottery, I'd buy a big house.
* Otto – If I get promoted, I'll throw a big party.* Peter – If I got promoted, I'd throw a big party.
* Otto – If my team win the Cup, I'll buy champagne for everybody.
* Peter – If my team won the Cup, I'd buy champagne for everybody.Note that the 'If clause' can contain the past simple or the past continuous.
* If I was still working in Brighton, I would commute by train.
* If she were coming, she would be here by now....