USES OF THE SECOND CONDITIONAL
To talk about unlikely, hypothetical situations and their possible consequences.
- If I won a million pounds, I‘d buy a nice house in the countryside.
- I probably wouldn’t survive very long if I were alone on a desert island!
- If aliens landed in my garden, I’m sure my Mum would offer them tea and biscuits.
To give advice.
- You don’t know what to have for lunch? Well, if I were you, I‘d try that new cafe down the road.
- I don’t have much experience in relationships, but if I were you, I would break up with him.
- If I were you, I would take an umbrella because it looks like it’s going to rain.
STRUCTURE
Example: If I won the lottery, I would travel the world.
Condition (if-clause): past simple
Result (main clause): would + base verb
You can change the order of the sentence and the meaning stays the same:
I would travel the world if I won the lottery.