Conditional Type 2

The type 2 conditional refers to an unlikely or hypothetical condition and its probable result. These sentences are not based on the actual situation. In type 2 conditional sentences, the time is now or any time and the situation is hypothetical.

Examples

• If the weather wasn't so bad, we would go to the park. (But the weather is bad so we can't go.)
• If I was the Queen of England, I would give everyone a chicken. (But I am not the Queen.)
• If you really loved me, you would buy me a diamond ring.
• If I knew where she lived, I would go and see her.

It is correct, and very common, to say "if I were" instead of "if I was" (subjunctive mood).

Examples

• If I were taller, I would buy this dress.
• If I were 20, I would travel the world.
• If I were you, I would give up smoking.
• If I were a plant, I would love the rain.

In type 2 conditional sentences, you can also use modals in the main clause instead of "would" to express the degree of certainty, permission, or a recommendation about the outcome.

Examples

• We might buy a larger house if we had more money
• He could go to the concert if you gave him your ticket.
• If he called me, I couldn't hear.

Structure

In a type 2 conditional sentence, the tense in the "if" clause is the simple past, and the tense in the main clause is the simple conditional or the continuous conditional.

As in all conditional sentences, the order of the clauses is not fixed. You may have to rearrange the pronouns and adjust punctuation when you change the order of the clauses, but the meaning is identical.

Examples

• If it rained, you would get wet.
  • You would get wet if it rained.
• If you went to bed earlier you wouldn't be so tired.
  • You wouldn't be so tired if you went to bed earlier.
• If she fell, she would hurt herself.
  • She would hurt herself if she fell.

Simple Conditional

Subject-Verb Agreement

Affirmative

• I would drink...
  • I'd drink...
• You would drink...
  • You'd drink...
• We would drink...
  • We'd drink...
• They would drink...
  • They'd drink...
• He would drink...
  • He'd drink...
• She would drink...
  • She'd drink...
• It would drink...
  • It'd drink...

Interrogative

• Would I drink...?
• Would you drink...?
• Would we drink...?
• Would they drink...?
• Would he drink...?
• Would she drink...?
• Would it drink...?

Negative

• I wouldn't drink...
  • I would not drink...
  • I'd not drink...
• You wouldn't drink...
  • You would not drink...
  • You'd not drink...
• We wouldn't drink...
  • We would not drink...
  • We'd not drink...
• They wouldn't drink...
  • They would not drink...
  • They'd not drink...
• He wouldn't drink...
  • He would not drink...
  • He'd not drink...
• She wouldn't drink...
  • She would not drink...
  • She'd not drink...
• It wouldn't drink...
  • It would not drink...
  • It'd not drink...

Conditional Continuous

Subject-Verb Agreement

Affirmative

• I would be drinking...
  • I'd be drinking...
• You would be drinking...
  • You'd be drinking...
• We would be drinking...
  • We'd be drinking...
• They would be drinking...
  • They'd be drinking...
• He would be drinking...
  • He'd be drinking...
• She would be drinking...
  • She'd be drinking...
• It would be drinking...
  • It'd be drinking...

Interrogative

• Would I be drinking...?
• Would you be drinking...?
• Would we be drinking...?
• Would they be drinking...?
• Would he be drinking...?
• Would she be drinking...?
• Would it be drinking...?

Negative

• I wouldn't be drinking...
  • I would not be drinking...
  • I'd not be drinking...
• You wouldn't be drinking...
  • You would not be drinking...
  • You'd not be drinking...
• We wouldn't be drinking...
  • We would not be drinking...
  • We'd not be drinking...
• They wouldn't be drinking...
  • They would not be drinking...
  • They'd not be drinking...
• He wouldn't be drinking...
  • He would not be drinking...
  • He'd not be drinking...
• She wouldn't be drinking...
  • She would not be drinking...
  • She'd not be drinking...
• It wouldn't be drinking...
  • It would not be drinking...
  • It'd not be drinking...