Second and third conditionals: Unreal conditionals

Exercises: 1 2 3

Exercise 2

Choose the correct forms of the second and third conditionals for each gap.

1 If she _______ more experienced, she would be more likely to get the job.

A.were

B.had been

C.would be

D.would have been

2 If the food _______ so bad, we wouldn't have complained.

A.wasn't

B.hadn't been

C.wouldn't be

D.wouldn't have been

3 If I _______ her, she might feel a bit better.

A.was calling

B.called

C.would call

D.would have called

4 If it wasn’t raining, we _______ a picnic today.

A.had

B.'d had

C.'d have

D.'d been had

5 If he hadn’t run out of money, he _______ his trip.

A.didn't cancel

B.hadn't cancelled

C.wouldn't be cancelled

D.wouldn't have cancelled

6 Life would be fantastic if I _______ half of what you earn.

A.was earning

B.had earned

C.would earn

D.would have earned

7 If I hadn't written it in my diary, I ________.

A.forgot

B.had forgotten

C.would forget

D.might have forgotten

8 He could have died if he ________ a helmet.

A.didn't wear

B.hadn't been wearing

C.wouldn't wear

D.wouldn't have worn

9 I'd tell you if I ________.

A.knew

B.had known

C.would know

D.would have known

10 If you had listened to me, none of this ________.

A.happened

B.had happened

C.would happen

D.would have happened

Exercises: 1 2 3

Second conditional: Grammar chart

Second conditional grammar chart, showing sentence structures for hypothetical situations.

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We use the second conditional to talk about hypothetical or imaginary situations in the present or the future. We can use past simple or past continuous in the if clause, and we can use would, could or might + simple infinitive (do) or continuous infinitive (be doing) in the main clause.

If there were a fire, it would be impossible to escape.
If you weren’t making so much noise, I could concentrate.
I wouldn’t have a car if I lived in the city.
If it weren’t for him, I might not be talking to you right now.

When we use the verb be in the if clause, we can use either was (spoken English) or were (more formal) after I, he, she or it. But when we are giving advice, we always use if I were you (NOT was).

If he was/were rich, he wouldn’t be living in this house.
If I were you, I’d call him as soon as possible. (NOT was)

As with all conditional types, we use a comma after the if clause when it goes at the beginning of the sentence, but we don’t use a comma when the if clause goes at the end.

If you weren’t making so much noise, I could concentrate.
I could concentrate if you weren’t making so much noise.

Third conditional: Grammar chart

Third conditional grammar chart explaining sentence structure for past hypothetical situations with examples like "If you had come to class, you would have passed the exam."

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We use the third conditional to talk about hypothetical or imaginary situations in the past. We can use the past perfect simple or past perfect continuous in the if clause and we can use would, could or might + the perfect infinitive in the main clause.

If you had come to class more often, you would have passed the test.
I wouldn’t have been late if I hadn’t overslept.
He could have died if he hadn’t been wearing a helmet.
If the jacket had been a bit cheaper, I might have bought it.