Grammar Practice Worksheets

Second Conditional
Table of Contents
2 Grammar Notes 10 Exercise 8
Second Conditional Negative Sentences

4 Exercise 1 11 Exercise 9
Multiple-Choice Group Discussion

5 Exercise 2 12 Exercise 10
Fill in the Blanks Hope & Wish

6 Exercise 3 14 Exercise 11
Matching Quiz: First & Second Conditional

6 Exercise 4 15 Answer Key

Complete the Sentences
17 Extra Practice I
7 Exercise 5 Sentence Strips
Comprehension
18 Extra Practice II
8 Exercise 6 Conditional Comparison Chart
Survey

9 Exercise 7
What’s Your Advice?

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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
Use: The second conditional shows an unlikely or
the verb. A sentence can begin with either clause with
impossible outcome that wouldn’t happen in
no change in meaning. Remember that a sentence
most cases (unless a specific condition were that begins with an if clause is followed by a comma.
somehow met).
• If they had more money, they would buy a car.
• They would buy a car if they had more money.

Examples

Sentences Condition Outcome Explanation

• If we won the lottery, Winning the

we would travel around the world. traveling
winning the lottery is rare,
around
• We would travel around the world lottery so this is very
the world
if we won the lottery. unlikely.

• If I had wings, I would fly to Japan. I don’t have

having flying
wings, so this
• I would fly to Japan if I had wings. wings to Japan
is impossible.

She doesn’t live

• If Lisa lived near the beach, she would learn to surf. living near learning near the beach
• Lisa would learn to surf if she lived near the beach. the beach to surf now, so this
is unlikely.

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Grammar Notes cont.

B. The Second Conditional cont.

Examples cont.

Sentences Condition Outcome Explanation

I don’t have a
• If I were rich, I wouldn’t work anymore.* not lot of money
being rich
• I wouldn’t work anymore if I were rich. working right now, so
this is unlikely.

• If my grandparents were young again, They can’t

they would do things differently. living life in
being go back in
a different
• My grandparents would do things young again time, so this
way
differently if they were young again. is impossible.

• If the children had a pool, they would swim every day. They don’t have
having swimming
a pool now, so
• The children would swim every day if they had a pool. a pool every day
this is unlikely.

She can’t
• If she grew an extra head, she would be twice as smart. growing
being twice grow another
another
• She would be twice as smart if she grew an extra head. as smart head, so this
head
is impossible.

*Tip #2 Tip #3 Tip #4

The Be verb in conditional Would can contract to ‘d with Could + base verb can be used
sentences is always were subjects that are pronouns. in place of a past verb or would
(not was) for all subjects. Would not can contract to + base verb to indicate ability or
Some people choose to wouldn’t with any subject. possibility.
ignore this rule, but it’s
• If the clerk were taller, • If I could ski, I would buy
best to follow it.
she’d be able to reach a season’s pass at my
• If I were a dog, I would lie the top shelf. local mountain.
around in the sun all day.
• If my coworker • If I didn’t have to babysit
• If Juan were an astronaut, inherited a lot of money, tonight, I could go to
he would fly to the moon. he probably wouldn’t Marco’s party.
work here anymore.

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Exercise 1
MULTIPLE-CHOICE

Circle the best answer.

Ex. I would buy a new car if I more money. 6. I to your party on Saturday
if I didn’t have to work.
a) had
b) have a) came
c) will have b) would come
c) will come
1. If I were hungry, I a sandwich.
7. I would call them if I their
a) make
telephone number.
b) will make
c) would make a) knew
b) know
2. If he his homework every day, c) will know
he would get better marks.
8. She wouldn’t fall asleep in class
a) did
if she so tired.
b) does
c) will do a) wasn’t
b) was
3. If our partners were here, c) weren’t
they us what to do.
9. If my friend so busy,
a) told
he would have time to hang out with me.
b) would tell
c) tell a) weren’t
b) were
4. I would help her if she me. c) was

a) will ask
10. If I didn’t have to go out tonight,
b) asked
I relax at home.
c) asks
a) could
5. If my brother found a $20 b) didn’t
bill on the street, he it. c) wouldn’t

a) will keep
b) kept
c) would keep

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Exercise 2
FILL IN THE BLANKS

Complete the following sentences using the correct form of the verbs provided.

Ex. Frank is always tired. If he went to bed earlier every night,

(go)

he would feel much better.

(feel)

1. It’s Monday today, but if it Saturday, I to the beach.

(be) (go)

2. I don’t have any money now, but if I some, I it to you.

(have) (lend)

3. I have to work tomorrow, but if I free, I shopping with you.

(be) (go)

4. Amy can only speak one language, but if she two languages,
(can speak)

she for a job at the Multicultural Center.

(apply)

5. Sue doesn’t know how to knit. If she how to knit,

(know)

she a sweater for you for your birthday.

(make)

6. I don’t own a pair of skis. If I skis, I skiing with you.

(have) (go)

7. We are not going to buy that house, but if it a little cheaper,

(be)

we it.
(buy)

8. He fails his exams because he gets so nervous. If he , he .

(relax) (pass)

9. John has a lot of car accidents. If he more carefully,

(drive)

he fewer accidents.
(have)

10. Robert smokes a lot. If he smoking, his cough better.

(quit) (get)

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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,

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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. 6. I probably wouldn’t sunburn so badly
if I didn’t have such fair skin.
Yes a) Is it raining?
No b) Am I going for a long walk? a) Do I have fair skin?
b) Do I get bad sunburns?
1. If I knew her well, I would call her.
7. If I were afraid to watch scary movies,
a) Do I know her well? I wouldn’t go to that show.
b) Am I going to call her?
a) Am I afraid to watch scary movies?
2. He would apply for the job if he b) Am I going to go to that show?
had a university degree.
8. I would go to your party if I didn’t have
a) Does he have a university degree? a lot of homework tonight.
b) Is he going to apply for the job?
a) Do I have a lot of homework tonight?
c) Does he want to apply for the job?
b) Am I going to go to your party tonight?
3. If I couldn’t speak French, I wouldn’t go c) Do I want to go to your party?
to France for my month-long vacation.
9. If I had the chance to relive
a) Can I speak French? my high school days, I wouldn’t.
b) Am I going to France for my vacation?
a) Will I get the chance to
4. If I owned a car, I wouldn’t take the bus to work. relive my high school days?
b) W
 ould I like to relive
a) Do I own a car? my high school days?
b) Do I take the bus to work?
I would climb Mount Everest
c) Would I rather drive to work
if my leg weren’t broken.
than take the bus?

a) Will I climb Mount Everest?

5. If I had a lot of money, I would lend you some.
b) Is my leg broken?
a) Do I have a lot of money? c) Do I want to climb Mount Everest?
b) Am I going to lend you some money?

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Exercise 6
SURVEY

Work in small groups. Complete the chart below by asking your

classmates the following questions using the second conditional.

# Question Classmate #1 Classmate #2 Classmate #3

If you won a million dollars,

1
what would you do with it?

If you could have three wishes,

2
what would you wish for?

If you could buy a new car,

3
what kind would you buy?

If you could spend a day with

4 any famous person in the
world, who would you choose?

If you had enough money to

5 travel to any place in the world,
where would you go first?

If you could have any job you

6
wanted, what would it be?

If you could live anywhere

7 in the world, where would
you choose to live?

If you were the leader of

8 your country, what would
you try to do first?

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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.

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Exercise 8
NEGATIVE SENTENCES

Complete the following sentences with the correct tense of the verbs provided.
Use contractions whenever possible.

Ex. I ‘d buy that computer if it weren’t so expensive.

(buy) (be, not)

1. If I you, I to that restaurant. The food is terrible.

(be) (go, not)

2. She at work today if she such a bad headache.

(be) (have, not)

3. If he to bed so late every night, he so tired every day.

(go, not) (be, not)

4. If you so far away from me, I you every weekend.

(live, not) (visit)

5. Sophia Andrew if she him.

(marry, not) (love, not)

6. Maya to the party if her baby sick.

(go) (be, not)

7. I the bus to school if I closer.

(take, not) (live)

8. If I coffee in the evening, I to sleep.

(drink) (be able, not)

9. If I such a bad cold, I in bed now.

(have, not) (be, not)

10. If you your sales receipt, the store you your money back.
(have, not) (give, not)

11. If you the taxi driver a tip, he angry.

(give, not) (be)

12. If I to work tonight, I to the football game with you.

(have, not) (go)

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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.

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Exercise 10
HOPE & WISH

A. Review

Compare the verbs hope and wish in the chart below.

Hope Wish

wish + simple past

Patterns hope + simple present
wish + would/could + base verb

Uses likely, possible situations unlikely or impossible situations

• I wish I had more time to finish this

• I hope I do well this semester.
project, but it’s due now.
Examples • I hope you feel better soon.
• I wish I could fly.
• The children hope it snows.
• 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

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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

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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. 7. If I into a car accident, I would call 911.

a) would drive a) will get

b) will drive b) would get
c) drove c) got

2. You will live longer if you smoking. 8. He will more milk if he remembers.

a) will stop a) buy

b) stop b) buys
c) stopped c) bought

3. I’m sick of all this rain. I wish it sunny. 9. I wish I the name of that song.

a) was a) will remember

b) is b) could remember
c) were c) remember

4. I would clean the whole house 10. If my boss wanted me to redo this report, I .
if I more time.
a) won’t
a) would have b) would
b) will have c) will
c) had
11. If our teacher gives us more homework,
5. If she in June, she will start work in July. I time to go out tonight.

a) would graduate a) won’t have

b) will graduate b) wouldn’t have
c) graduates c) not have

6. We hope you well soon. 12. They wouldn’t be here now

if it for all your hard work.
a) got
b) get a) wasn’t
c) would get b) weren’t
c) isn’t

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Answer Key
LESSON DESCRIPTION: LEVEL: Int

Students learn and practice the second conditional through writing TIME: 2–3 hours
and speaking activities. They also learn the difference between
TAGS: conditional, second conditional, unreal conditional, mood,
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 6. a) yes b) yes
2. a 4. b 6. b 8. c 10. a 2. a) no b) no c) yes 7. a) no b) yes
3. a) yes b) yes 8. a) yes b) no c) yes
Exercise 2 4. a) no b) yes c) yes 9. a) no b) no
5. a) no b) no 10. a) no b) yes c) yes
1. were, would go 6. had, would go
2. had, would lend 7. were, would buy Exercise 6
3. were, would go 8. relaxed, would pass
4. could speak, would apply 9. drove, would have Answers will vary.
5. knew, would make 10. quit, would get
Exercise 7
Exercise 3
Answers may vary. Encourage your students to vary sentences that
1. e 3. j 5. f 7. b 9. c start with the if-clause with ones that start with the main clause.
2. h 4. a 6. i 8. g 10. d
1. If she paid attention in class,
she would understand the homework.
Exercise 4 2. If he wore a watch, he wouldn’t always be late.
3. If she practiced more, she would be a good tennis player.
Answers will vary. Here are some samples: 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.
1. If I had some free time, I would go to New York.
6. If he drove more slowly, he wouldn’t get
2. I would move to a bigger apartment if I had more money.
so many speeding tickets.
3. If I had a bike, I would ride to work every day.
7. If he quit smoking, he wouldn’t cough so much.
4. I would walk to school every day if I lived closer.
8. If she exercised more, she would feel better.
5. I would go to the doctor if I felt really sick.
9. If she spent less on clothes, she could take a vacation.
6. If I had a roommate, I wouldn’t feel so lonely.
10. If he studied more, he would get good grades.
7. If I knew his name, I would call him.
8. If I were taller, I would join a basketball team.
(continued on the next page...)

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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
conditional tenses. Comparing all the conditional tenses at once
can be helpful for students to see when and why each is used. Try
B. PR ACTICE
presenting the chart before or after the Second Conditional lesson.
Answers will vary. Here are some samples: You can find more teaching tips on our blog (http://blog.esllibrary.
com/2013/03/14/an-easy-way-to-teach-conditionals/) and in our
1. If I pass the exam, I will celebrate.
Grammar Practice Worksheets section (https://esllibrary.com/
2. If John comes to the party, we’ll have a lot of fun.
courses/88/lessons). In that section, you’ll find our lessons on
3. If I had a dog, I would name it Coco.
the First and Third Conditional.
4. If I could speak Spanish fluently,
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

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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.

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Extra Practice II
CONDITIONAL COMPARISON CHART

Name Form Time Function Example

Use this conditional to show • If he takes vitamins every day,

an outcome that happens he doesn’t get sick.
Zero Conditional If + present, present Present
if a specific repeated • He doesn’t get sick if he
condition is met. takes vitamins every day.

Use this conditional to show • If she studies for the test,

First Conditional Present/ a likely or possible outcome she will get a good grade.
If + present, will + verb
(Real Conditional) Future that will probably happen if • She will get a good grade
a specific condition is met. if she studies for the test.

Unlikely situation
Use this conditional to show • If he won the lottery, he would quit his job.
an unlikely or impossible • He would quit his job if he won the lottery.
Second Conditional Present/
If + past, would + verb outcome that probably
(Unreal Conditional) Future Impossible situation
wouldn’t happen (unless a
specific condition were met). • 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

Use this conditional to show
friend last night, she wouldn’t
a past regret or different
If + had + p.p., have sent me an angry text message.
Third Conditional Past outcome that would have
would + have + p.p. • My friend wouldn’t have sent
happened if a specific
me an angry text message if I had
condition had been met.
remembered to call her last night.

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