Grammar Notes The Second Conditional

Answer Key LESSON DESCRIPTION: LEVEL: Int Students learn and practice the second conditional through writing TIME: 2–3 hours TAGS: conditional, second conditional, unreal conditional, mood, and speaking activities. They also learn the difference between hope and wish and complete a mixed review of the first and hypothetical, subjunctive, would, could, past, verbs, first second conditional. conditional, if, hope, wish, sentence patterns, grammar Exercise 1 Exercise 5 1. c 3. b 5. c 7. a 9. a 1. a) no b) no 2. a 4. b 6. b 8. c 10. a 2. a) no b) no 3. a) yes 4. a) no b) yes 5. a) no b) no Exercise 2 1. were, would go 6. had, would go 2. had, would lend 7. were, would buy 3. were, would go 8. relaxed, would pass 4. could speak, would apply 9. drove, would have 5. knew, would make 10. quit, would get c) yes b) yes c) yes 6. a) yes 7. a) no b) yes 8. a) yes b) no 9. a) no b) no 10. a) no b) yes b) yes c) yes c) yes Exercise 6 Answers will vary. Exercise 7 Exercise 3 Answers may vary. Encourage your students to vary sentences that 1. e 3. j 5. f 7. b 9. c 2. h 4. a 6. i 8. g 10. d Exercise 4 Answers will vary. Here are some samples: 1. If I had some free time, I would go to New York. 2. I would move to a bigger apartment if I had more money. 3. If I had a bike, I would ride to work every day. 4. I would walk to school every day if I lived closer. 5. I would go to the doctor if I felt really sick. 6. If I had a roommate, I wouldn’t feel so lonely. 7. If I knew his name, I would call him. 8. If I were taller, I would join a basketball team. start with the if-clause with ones that start with the main clause. 1. If she paid attention in class, she would understand the homework. 2. If he wore a watch, he wouldn’t always be late. 3. If she practiced more, she would be a good tennis player. 4. If he set the timer on the stove, he wouldn’t burn dinner. 5. If he picked up his toys, his mother wouldn’t get mad. 6. If he drove more slowly, he wouldn’t get so many speeding tickets. 7. If he quit smoking, he wouldn’t cough so much. 8. If she exercised more, she would feel better. 9. If she spent less on clothes, she could take a vacation. 10. If he studied more, he would get good grades. (continued on the next page...) Answer Key cont. Exercise 8 Extra Practice I 1. were, wouldn’t go 7. wouldn’t take, lived On page 17, you will find a page of sentence strips to cut up. Cut the 2. ‘d be, didn’t have 8. drank, wouldn’t be able if and main clauses into strips and give one clause to each student. 3. didn’t go, wouldn’t be 9. didn’t have, wouldn’t be Have the students search the room for the matching clause (note 4. didn’t live, ‘d visit 10. didn’t have, wouldn’t give that there is more than one possibility in some cases­—you can 5. wouldn’t marry, didn’t love 11. didn’t give, ‘d be accept any logical, reasonable match). As an alternative task, give 6. would go, weren’t 12. didn’t have, ‘d go each pair or group a set of mixed-up strips and have them arrange all the strips into the correct order. These tasks would work well as Exercise 9 a warm-up to this lesson or for review later on. Put students into small groups or pairs. Answers will vary. Extra Practice II Exercise 10 On page 18, you will find a comparison chart with all four B. PR ACTICE can be helpful for students to see when and why each is used. Try Answers will vary. Here are some samples: You can find more teaching tips on our blog (http://blog.esllibrary. conditional tenses. Comparing all the conditional tenses at once presenting the chart before or after the Second Conditional lesson. com/2013/03/14/an-easy-way-to-teach-conditionals/) and in our 1. If I pass the exam, I will celebrate. 2. If John comes to the party, we’ll have a lot of fun. 3. If I had a dog, I would name it Coco. 4. If I could speak Spanish fluently, Grammar Practice Worksheets section (https://esllibrary.com/ courses/88/lessons). In that section, you’ll find our lessons on the First and Third Conditional. I would travel through South America. SPELLING NOTE: 5. If my sister lived in a bigger apartment, I could stay over. 6. If I weren’t so shy, I would have more job opportunities. This lesson shows the American spelling of the words 7. If I win the tennis match tomorrow, I will be in the finals. Traveling, Center, Neighbors, and Practice. Most other English- 8. If I could afford to travel, I would go to Europe. speaking countries spell these words this way: Travelling, 9. If the plane arrives on time, he will take them to the concert. Centre, Neighbours, and Practise (when used as a verb; Practice 10. If they knew her address, they would send her a card. when used as a noun). Make it a challenge for your students 11. If you get the job, we will go to a restaurant and celebrate. to find these words in the lesson and see if they know the 12. If he didn’t have to work, he could take me on a date. alternate spellings. Exercise 11 1. a 3. c 5. c 7. c 9. b 11. a 2. b 4. c 6. b 8. a 10. b 12. b Grammar Notes SECOND CONDITIONAL A. Introduction to Conditionals Conditionals are used to express a hypothetical situation. This is when you don’t know if something will happen or not, so you make a guess about what the result might be. There are four conditional patterns in the English language, and they usually involve an “if” clause. This lesson will focus on the second conditional, also known as the unreal conditional. B. The Second Conditional Tip #1 Pattern: If + past, would + base verb The verb in the if clause is a simple past verb, and the verb in the main clause is would + the base form of the verb. A sentence can begin with either clause with no change in meaning. Remember that a sentence that begins with an if clause is followed by a comma. Use: The second conditional shows an unlikely or impossible outcome that wouldn’t happen in most cases (unless a specific condition were somehow met). • • If they had more money, they would buy a car. They would buy a car if they had more money. Examples Sentences • If we won the lottery, we would travel around the world. • We would travel around the world if we won the lottery. • If I had wings, I would fly to Japan. • I would fly to Japan if I had wings. • If Lisa lived near the beach, she would learn to surf. • Lisa would learn to surf if she lived near the beach. Condition Outcome Explanation winning the lottery traveling around the world Winning the lottery is rare, so this is very unlikely. having wings flying to Japan I don’t have wings, so this is impossible. living near the beach learning to surf She doesn’t live near the beach now, so this is unlikely. 2 Grammar Notes cont. B. The Second Conditional cont. Examples cont. Sentences Condition • If I were rich, I wouldn’t work anymore.* • I wouldn’t work anymore if I were rich. • If my grandparents were young again, they would do things differently. • My grandparents would do things differently if they were young again. • If the children had a pool, they would swim every day. • The children would swim every day if they had a pool. • If she grew an extra head, she would be twice as smart. • She would be twice as smart if she grew an extra head. Outcome Explanation being rich not working I don’t have a lot of money right now, so this is unlikely. being young again living life in a different way They can’t go back in time, so this is impossible. having a pool swimming every day They don’t have a pool now, so this is unlikely. being twice as smart She can’t grow another head, so this is impossible. growing another head *Tip #2 Tip #3 Tip #4 The Be verb in conditional sentences is always were (not was) for all subjects. Some people choose to ignore this rule, but it’s best to follow it. Would can contract to ‘d with subjects that are pronouns. Would not can contract to wouldn’t with any subject. Could + base verb can be used in place of a past verb or would + base verb to indicate ability or possibility. • If the clerk were taller, she’d be able to reach the top shelf. • If I could ski, I would buy a season’s pass at my local mountain. • If my coworker inherited a lot of money, he probably wouldn’t work here anymore. • If I didn’t have to babysit tonight, I could go to Marco’s party. • If I were a dog, I would lie around in the sun all day. • If Juan were an astronaut, he would fly to the moon. Exercise 1 MULTIPLE-CHOICE Circle the best answer. Ex. I would buy a new car if I more money. a) had b) have c) will have 1. If I were hungry, I a) came b) would come c) will come a sandwich. 7. a) make b) will make c) would make 2. If he his homework every day, he would get better marks. 5. If my brother found a $20 bill on the street, he it. a) knew b) know c) will know 9. If my friend so busy, he would have time to hang out with me. a) told b) would tell c) tell a) will ask b) asked c) asks their a) wasn’t b) was c) weren’t 3. If our partners were here, they us what to do. 4. I would help her if she I would call them if I telephone number. 8. She wouldn’t fall asleep in class if she so tired. a) did b) does c) will do a) will keep b) kept c) would keep 6. I to your party on Saturday if I didn’t have to work. me. a) weren’t b) were c) was 10. If I didn’t have to go out tonight, I relax at home. a) could b) didn’t c) wouldn’t Exercise 2 FILL IN THE BLANKS Complete the following sentences using the correct form of the verbs provided. went Ex. Frank is always tired. If he he 1. would feel (feel) to bed earlier every night, (go) much better. It’s Monday today, but if it Saturday, I (be) 2. I don’t have any money now, but if I (apply) (make) (buy) skis, I (have) 10. Robert smokes a lot. If he a little cheaper, it. 9. John has a lot of car accidents. If he (have) skiing with you. (go) (be) 8. He fails his exams because he gets so nervous. If he he two languages, how to knit, (know) We are not going to buy that house, but if it we shopping with you. (go) a sweater for you for your birthday. 6. I don’t own a pair of skis. If I 7. (can speak) it to you. for a job at the Multicultural Center. 5. Sue doesn’t know how to knit. If she she (lend) free, I (be) 4. Amy can only speak one language, but if she she some, I (have) 3. I have to work tomorrow, but if I to the beach. (go) (drive) (relax) , he (pass) more carefully, fewer accidents. (quit) smoking, his cough (get) better. . Exercise 3 MATCHING Match the first part of the sentence on the left with the best ending on the right. Each choice can only be used once. e 1. If I were rich, ... a) if I were bald. 2. If I had a dog, ... b) if the neighbors were very noisy. 3. I would go to the dentist... c) I would take it again. 4. I would buy a wig... d) if I were rude to the customers. 5. I would quit my job... e) I would buy a private island. 6. If I saw a bad car accident, ... f) if I had to work overtime every day. 7. I would move... g) I could move to Mexico. 8. If I spoke Spanish, ... h) I would name it Fido. 9. If I failed the course, ... i) I would call an ambulance. 10. My boss would fire me... j) if I had a bad toothache. Exercise 4 COMPLETE THE SENTENCES Complete the following sentences using your own words. Ex. If I only had one month to live, I would travel around the world. 1. If I had some free time, 2. I would move to a bigger apartment if 3. If I had a bike, 4. I would walk to school every day if 5. I would go to the doctor if 6. If I had a roommate, 7. If I knew his phone number, 8. If I were taller, Exercise 5 COMPREHENSION Read the conditional sentences below and answer the questions that follow each one. Ex. If it weren’t raining, I would go for a long walk. Yes a) Is it raining? No b) Am I going for a long walk? 6. I probably wouldn’t sunburn so badly if I didn’t have such fair skin. a) Do I have fair skin? b) Do I get bad sunburns? 1. If I knew her well, I would call her. a) Do I know her well? b) Am I going to call her? 2. He would apply for the job if he had a university degree. a) Does he have a university degree? b) Is he going to apply for the job? c) Does he want to apply for the job? 3. If I couldn’t speak French, I wouldn’t go to France for my month-long vacation. a) Can I speak French? b) Am I going to France for my vacation? 4. If I owned a car, I wouldn’t take the bus to work. a) Do I own a car? b) Do I take the bus to work? c) Would I rather drive to work than take the bus? 5. If I had a lot of money, I would lend you some. a) Do I have a lot of money? b) Am I going to lend you some money? 7. If I were afraid to watch scary movies, I wouldn’t go to that show. a) Am I afraid to watch scary movies? b) Am I going to go to that show? 8. I would go to your party if I didn’t have a lot of homework tonight. a) Do I have a lot of homework tonight? b) Am I going to go to your party tonight? c) Do I want to go to your party? 9. If I had the chance to relive my high school days, I wouldn’t. a) Will I get the chance to relive my high school days? b) W  ould I like to relive my high school days? I would climb Mount Everest if my leg weren’t broken. a) Will I climb Mount Everest? b) Is my leg broken? c) Do I want to climb Mount Everest? Exercise 6 SURVEY Work in small groups. Complete the chart below by asking your classmates the following questions using the second conditional. # Question 1 If you won a million dollars, what would you do with it? 2 If you could have three wishes, what would you wish for? 3 If you could buy a new car, what kind would you buy? 4 If you could spend a day with any famous person in the world, who would you choose? 5 If you had enough money to travel to any place in the world, where would you go first? 6 If you could have any job you wanted, what would it be? 7 If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you choose to live? 8 If you were the leader of your country, what would you try to do first? Classmate #1 Classmate #2 Classmate #3 Exercise 7 WHAT’S YOUR ADVICE? Read the following situations and write some advice using the second conditional. Ex. Lee eats a lot of junk food and sweets, but he complains that he is fat. If he ate healthier, he wouldn’t have a problem with his weight. 1. Andrea doesn’t pay attention in class. Then she doesn’t understand the homework. 2. Sayid is always late because he doesn’t wear a watch. 3. Maria is not a good tennis player because she never practices. 4. Min’s father always burns dinner because he doesn’t set the timer on the oven. 5. Johnny’s mom often gets mad at him because he doesn’t pick up his toys. 6. Toshi gets a lot of speeding tickets because he drives too fast. 7. Kwan coughs a lot because he smokes. 8. Claire doesn’t feel good because she doesn’t exercise. 9. Ana can never take a vacation because she spends all her money on new clothes. 10. Kevin doesn’t get good grades because he doesn’t study much. Exercise 8 NEGATIVE SENTENCES Complete the following sentences with the correct tense of the verbs provided. Use contractions whenever possible. Ex. I 1. If I 2. She 3. If he 4. If you 5. Sophia 6. Maya 7. I 8. If I 9. If I 10. If you 11. If you 12. If I ‘d buy that computer if it (buy) (be) (be) (go, not) (live, not) (marry, not) (go) (take, not) (drink) (have, not) (have, not) (give, not) (have, not) you, I weren’t to that restaurant. The food is terrible. (go, not) at work today if she so far away from me, I Andrew if she such a bad cold, I you every weekend. him. (love, not) sick. (be, not) closer. (live) to sleep. (be able, not) in bed now. (be, not) your sales receipt, the store the taxi driver a tip, he to work tonight, I so tired every day. (be, not) (visit) to the party if her baby coffee in the evening, I such a bad headache. (have, not) to bed so late every night, he the bus to school if I so expensive. (be, not) (give, not) (be) (go) you your money back. angry. to the football game with you. Exercise 9 GROUP DISCUSSION Discuss the following questions in small groups. 1. What would you do if you saw someone having a heart attack? 2. What would you do if a fire broke out in your house or apartment? 3. H  ow would you feel if you went to a party and you were the only one who didn’t bring a present? 4. What would you do if you were lying in bed late at night and you heard someone trying to break into your house? How would you feel? 5. What would you do if your neighbors had noisy parties every weekend? 6. How would you feel if your landlord told you that you had to move out of your apartment in one week? What would you do? 7. How would you feel if your teacher told you that you were going to have a big exam tomorrow? What would you do? 8. What would you do if the person you loved were moving to another country? 9. How would you feel if your doctor told you that you only had two more months to live? What would you do? 10. What would you do if you went hiking up a mountain and got lost? What would you do if you saw a bear? Now think of five more questions to ask your group. Use the second conditional in each question. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. Exercise 10 HOPE & WISH A. Review Compare the verbs hope and wish in the chart below. Hope Wish Patterns hope + simple present wish + simple past wish + would/could + base verb Uses likely, possible situations unlikely or impossible situations Examples • I hope I do well this semester. • I hope you feel better soon. • The children hope it snows. • I wish I had more time to finish this project, but it’s due now. • I wish I could fly. • She wishes she were* rich. *Note As with second conditional sentences, the Be verb after wish becomes were, not was, for all subjects. B. Practice Read the examples using hope and wish and the first and second conditional. Then finish the sentences using the first or second conditional. Ex. I hope it is sunny tomorrow. If it is sunny, I will go to the beach. Ex. I wish I were ten years younger. If I were ten years younger, I would train for a marathon. 1. I hope I pass the exam. If Exercise 10 cont. 2. I hope John comes to the party. If 3. I wish I had a dog. If 4. I wish I could speak Spanish fluently. If 5. I wish my sister lived in a bigger apartment. If 6. I wish I weren’t so shy. If 7. I hope she wins the tennis match tomorrow. If 8. I wish I could afford to travel. If 9. He hopes the plane arrives on time. If 10. They wish they knew her address. If 11. I hope you get the job. If 12. I wish my boyfriend didn’t have to work tonight. If Exercise 11 QUIZ Complete this review of the first conditional, second conditional, hope, and wish. Circle the best answer. 1. If he had a new car, he us to school. 2. You will live longer if you smoking. into a car accident, I would call 911. 8. He will more milk if he remembers. a) buy b) buys c) bought a) will stop b) stop c) stopped 3. I’m sick of all this rain. I wish it sunny. 9. I wish I the name of that song. a) will remember b) could remember c) remember a) was b) is c) were 4. I would clean the whole house if I more time. a) would have b) will have c) had in June, she will start work in July. 6. We hope you 10. If my boss wanted me to redo this report, I a) won’t b) would c) will 11. If our teacher gives us more homework, I time to go out tonight. a) won’t have b) wouldn’t have c) not have a) would graduate b) will graduate c) graduates a) got b) get c) would get If I a) will get b) would get c) got a) would drive b) will drive c) drove 5. If she 7. well soon. 12. They wouldn’t be here now if it for all your hard work. a) wasn’t b) weren’t c) isn’t . Extra Practice I SENTENCE STRIPS If I had a bad cough, I would go to the doctor. If I saw a robbery, I would call the police. If I had a headache, I would take an aspirin. If I didn’t pay my bills, I would get into trouble. If we didn’t go to their party, they would be very disappointed. If the factory closed down, many people would lose their jobs. If someone walked into the building with a gun, I would be terrified. If my boyfriend broke up with me, I would be very sad. If my landlord raised the rent, I would look for a new apartment. If you paid attention in class, you would understand the lesson. If it rained, we would have to cancel the picnic. If I weren’t on a diet, I would order dessert. If we took a taxi, we would arrive on time. If you apologized to him, he would forgive you. If I needed money, I would borrow some from the bank. If I sold my car, I probably wouldn’t get much money for it. If it stopped raining, we would go for a long walk. If I saw someone drowning, I’d jump in the water and try to save him or her. If I were shy, I wouldn’t be able to make public speeches. Extra Practice II CONDITIONAL COMPARISON CHART Name Zero Conditional First Conditional (Real Conditional) Form If + present, present If + present, will + verb Time Function Example • Present Use this conditional to show an outcome that happens if a specific repeated condition is met. • Present/ Future Use this conditional to show a likely or possible outcome that will probably happen if a specific condition is met. • • If he takes vitamins every day, he doesn’t get sick. He doesn’t get sick if he takes vitamins every day. If she studies for the test, she will get a good grade. She will get a good grade if she studies for the test. Unlikely situation Second Conditional (Unreal Conditional) Third Conditional If + past, would + verb If + had + p.p., would + have + p.p. Present/ Future Past Use this conditional to show an unlikely or impossible outcome that probably wouldn’t happen (unless a specific condition were met). Use this conditional to show a past regret or different outcome that would have happened if a specific condition had been met. • • If he won the lottery, he would quit his job. He would quit his job if he won the lottery. Impossible situation • • If I had wings, I would fly to Antarctica. I would fly to Antarctica if I had wings. • If I had remembered to call my friend last night, she wouldn’t have sent me an angry text message. My friend wouldn’t have sent me an angry text message if I had remembered to call her last night. •