3. Second Conditional

In hypothetical (counterfactual) constructions, the condition clause expresses a condition that is known to be false, or presented as unlikely. The result clause contains a conditional verb form consisting of would (or could, should, might) plus a main verb in the base form (infinitive without to) [19].

The contrary-to-fact present conditional, often referred to as the "second conditional" or "conditional 2", is used to refer to a current state or event that is known to be false or improbable [19]. Type 2 conditionals talk about imaginary situations in the if-clause and speculate about their imaginary consequences in the main clause. Though past tenses are used, the reference is not to the past time. (That is why this use of the past tense after if is often called 'the unreal present'.) By comparison, Type 1 conditionals talk about things which will possibly happen and consider their real consequences for the future. Depending on the attitude of the speaker, a Type 2 conditional can be used in place of a Type 1 to describe something that is reasonably possible. So:

If you went by train, you would get there earlier.

If you didn't stay up so late every evening, you wouldn't feel so sleepy in the morning.

mean the same, but are more 'tentative' than:

If you go by train, you will get there earlier.

If you don't stay up so late every evening, you won't feel so sleepy in the morning.

However, Type 2 conditionals more often describe what is totally impossible:

If I had longer legs, I'd be able to run faster.

In Type 2 conditionals the past subjunctive (or in colloquial English, simply the past tense) in the if-clause and “would” + non-perfect infinitive in the main clause must be used [9; 142]:

If she were [colloq. was] at work today, she would know how to deal with this client.

If I were [colloq. was] the king, I could have you thrown in the dungeon.

If I were you, I would accept their offer.

The same structure can be used to refer to a future state or event:

If I won the lottery, I would buy a car.

If he said that to me, I would run away.

Basic forms of Type 2 conditionals [6; 285]:

'if'-clause: main clause:

past tense 'would/should' condition to be satisfied likely outcome

be: If I were taller, I would become a policeman.

have. If he had any money, he'd leave home.

other verbs: If you took a taxi, you'd get there quicker.

could: If you could see me now, you'd laugh your head off.

In conditional sentences we may use the expression If it were not for/Were it not for that explains why something has or hasn't happened. In this case one situation is dependant on another situation or on a person [6; 286]. When we talk about the past we use If it hadn’t been for … [12; 88]:

If it weren't for your help, I would still be homeless.

If it hadn’t been for my parents, I would never have gone to university.

In formal contexts, If it were not for can be expressed as Were it not for, with the negative in full (Not * Weren't it*): Were it not for your help, I would still be homeless.

If it were not for and Were it not for are often followed by the fact that: Were it not for the fact that you helped me, I would be homeless.

We can also use Had it not been for…:

Had it not been for my parents, I would have never gone to university.

We often use but for + noun with a similar meaning [12; 88]:

But for Jim’s support, I wouldn’t have got the job (= If it hadn’t been for Jim…).

In unreal conditionals we use if…were + to-infinitive to talk about imaginary future situations [10; 122]:

If the technology were to become available, we would be able to expand the business.

If he were to have a chance of success, he would need to move to London.

However, notice that we can’t use this pattern with many verbs that describe a state, including know, like, remember, understand:

If I knew they were honest, I’d gladly lend them the money.

We sometimes use this pattern to make a suggestion sound more polite:

If you were to move over, we could all sit on the sofa.

In the main clause of Conditional 2 sentences modal verbs may be used [6; 286]:

'If'-clause: past tense main clause: modal

condition to be satisfied likely outcome

If he knew the facts, he could tell us what to do.

If he could get the facts, might

Another modal can replace would in Type 2 conditionals, e.g. when we feel the imaginary consequences are less likely, or when we are referring to ability, possibility, etc.:

condition to be satisfied likely outcome

If he were here he could help us. (ability)

If he were here he might help us. (possibility)

If he failed, he ought to/should try again. (duty)

Progressive and perfect combinations with modals are possible:

If she were here now she could be helping us. If he were in New York, he could have met my sister. If they were in the army they might have been fighting in the jungle most of the time.