Type 2 Conditionals: unreal present

Type 2 conditionals are not based on fact. They are used to talk about unreal present or future situations which are contrary to facts in the present and, therefore, are unlikely to happen in the present or future.

If-clause (condition)	Main clause (result)
If + past simple or past continuous	would/could/might + present bare infinitive

If I didn’t feel so tired, I’d come out with you. (But I feel very tired)

If I won the prize, I’d take a long travel.

The past form won, lived etc. does not have a past meaning in sentences like these; it has a hypothetical present or future meaning. We often use wereinstead ofwasafterif, especially in a more formal style.

This ring wouldn’t be so cheap if it were really made of gold.

I’d come to see you if I weren’t so busy.

We often use if I were youto give advice andif you were meto ask for advice.

If I were you, I would try to solve the problem.

What would you do if you were me?

We can use the modal verbs mightorcouldinstead ofwouldin the main clause to imply apossiblerather than a definiteconsequence.

If I got a lot of money, I might (could) go to China. (= I would perhaps go to China).

We can also use couldin the main clause to expressability.

If you knew Chinese, you could translate this text easily.(I would be able to translate this text easily)

Practice

1. Rewrite the following sentences using if constructions.

Example: He smokes too much; perhaps that’s why he can’t get rid of his cough.

If he didn’t smoke so much he might get rid of his cough.

1. They don’t clean the windows, so the rooms look rather dark.

2. He is very fat; that’s why he feels tired.

3. I don’t know English; that’s why I can’t understand them.

4. We haven’t got central heating, so the house is rather cold.

5. She doesn’t help me, possibly because I never ask her for help.

6. He works very fast; that’s why he makes a lot of mistakes.

7. I live far from the centre, so I am always late for work.

8. They speak French to her, so she can improve foreign language.

9. She gets the job, so she can go to London.

10. He lives not a long way from my house, so we can visit each other more

often.

2. Read the following statements. Decide if the sentences are true or false.

1. If I got a premium bonus, I could buy a car.

___ a) I recently got a premium bonus.

___ b) I want a new car.

2. If I had three wishes, I wouldn’t ask for a palace.

___ a) I don’t want a palace.

___ b) I have three wishes.

3. If I had more free time, I would watch films in English.

___ a) I have free time.

___ b) I’m going to watch films in English.

4. Your friend tells you, “If I were you, I would apply for that job”.

___ a) your friend thinks you shouldn’t apply for that job.

___ b) your friend is giving you advice.

5. She would come to dinner if we invited her.

___ a) she came to dinner.

___ b) we are going to invite her.

6. If my flat were too small, I would try to find a bigger one.

___ a) my flat is big enough.

___ b) I’ m not looking for a bigger flat right now.

7. If they didn’t’ earn enough money, they might look for a better job.

___ a) they don’t earn enough money.

___ b) they are looking for a better job.

8. If it weren’t so hot, I would go fishing.

___ a) I’m going fishing.

___ b) it’s hot.