1 · The second conditional
If + past simple, would + base verbIf I had wings, I would fly. · With I / he / she, we often say were: If I were you…
Write the verbs in brackets in the correct form.
If I (be) rich, I (buy) a house by the beach.
If she (have) more time, she (learn) Spanish.
If we (live) in Sydney, we (go) to the beach every day.
If he (listen) to her, she (not / feel) so alone.
If I (be) you, I (tell) him the truth.
What you (do) if you (win) the lottery?
2 · Which conditional?
First – a real possibility: If it rains, I’ll stay home.
Second – imaginary now: If I were taller, I’d play basketball.
Third – imaginary past: If I had known, I would have called.
Choose the type for each sentence.
If you press this button, the light turns on.
If he calls tonight, I’ll tell him the news.
If I spoke French, I would move to Paris.
If she had studied, she would have passed the exam.
If people don’t sleep, they get tired.
If you were a boy, what would you do differently?
If we leave now, we’ll catch the bus.
If they had listened, they wouldn’t have lost.
3 · Your turn · Talk or write
Finish these sentences about yourself. Use would in the second half.
- If I were a boy / a girl for one day, I would…
- If I could live anywhere in the world, I…
- If I were the leader of my country, I…
- If I didn’t have to work or study tomorrow, I…
Talk about it
- Do you think men and women are treated differently in relationships? How?
- What does the video’s ending show us?
- Why do you think the song uses If I were… and not If I am…?