TYPE 2 CONDITIONAL

TYPE 2 CONDITIONAL    

The type 2 conditional is used to refer to a time that is now or any time, and a situation that is unreal. These sentences are not based on fact. The type 2 conditional is used to refer to a hypothetical condition and its probable result. In type 2 conditional sentences, the if clause uses the simple past, and the main clause uses the present conditional.

If clause	Main clause
If + simple past	present conditional or present continuous conditional
If this thing happened	that thing would happen. (but I'm not sure this thing will happen) OR that thing would be happening.
If you went to bed earlier	you would not be so tired.
If it rained	you would get wet.
If I spoke Italian	I would be working in Italy.

FORM

In a Type 2 conditional sentence, the tense in the 'if' clause is the simple past, and the tense in the main clause is the present conditional or the present continuous conditional.

If clause (condition)	Main clause (result)
If + simple past	present conditional or present continuous conditional
If this thing happened	that thing would happen.

As in all conditional sentences, the order of the clauses is not fixed. You may have to rearrange the pronouns and adjust punctuation when you change the order of the clauses, but the meaning is identical.

EXAMPLES

• If it rained, you would get wet.
• You would get wet if it rained.
• If you went to bed earlier you wouldn't be so tired.
• You wouldn't be so tired if you went to bed earlier.
• If she fell, she would hurt herself.
• She would hurt herself if she fell.

FUNCTION

The type 2 conditional refers to an unlikely or hypothetical condition and its probable result. These sentences are not based on the actual situation. In type 2 conditional sentences, the time is now or any time and the situation is hypothetical.

EXAMPLES

• If the weather wasn't so bad, we would go to the park. (But the weather is bad so we can't go.)
• If I was the Queen of England, I would give everyone a chicken. (But I am not the Queen.)
• If you really loved me, you would buy me a diamond ring.
• If I knew where she lived, I would go and see her.

It is correct, and very common, to say "if I were" instead of "if I was" (subjunctive mood).

EXAMPLES

• If I were taller, I would buy this dress.
• If I were 20, I would travel the world.
• If I were you, I would give up smoking.
• If I were a plant, I would love the rain.

In type 2 conditional sentences, you can also use modals in the main clause instead of "would" to express the degree of certainty, permission, or a recommendation about the outcome.

EXAMPLES

• We might buy a larger house if we had more money
• He could go to the concert if you gave him your ticket.
• If he called me, I couldn't hear.

THE PRESENT CONDITIONAL TENSE

The present conditional of any verb is composed of two elements:
would + the infinitive of the main verb, without "to"

Subject	+ would	+ infinitive
He	would	go
They	would	stay

TO GO: PRESENT CONDITIONAL

Affirmative	Negative	Interrogative	Interrogative Negative
I would go	I wouldn't go	Would I go?	Wouldn't I go?
You would go	You wouldn't go	Would you go?	Wouldn't you go?
He would go	He wouldn't go	Would he go?	Wouldn't he go?
She would go	She wouldn't go	Would she go?	Wouldn't she go?
We would go	We wouldn't go	Would we go?	Wouldn't we go?
They would go	They wouldn't go	Would they go?	Wouldn't they go?

PRESENT CONTINUOUS CONDITIONAL

FORM

In type 2 conditional sentences, the continuous form of the present conditional may be used.

If clause (condition)	Main clause (result)
If + simple past	present continuous conditional
If this thing happened	that thing would be happening.

FUNCTION

This form is common in type 2 conditional sentences. It expresses an unfinished or continuing action or situation, which is the probable result of an unreal condition.

EXAMPLES

• I would be working in Italy if I spoke Italian. (But I don't speak Italian, so I am not working in Italy)
• She wouldn't be living with Jack if she lived with her parents. (But she is living with Jack and not with her parents).
• You wouldn't be smiling if you knew the truth. (But you are smiling because you don't know the truth.)

THE PRESENT CONTINUOUS CONDITIONAL TENSE

The present continuous conditional tense of any verb is composed of three elements:
would + be + present participle
The present participle is formed by taking the base form of the verb and adding the -ing ending.

Subject	+ would	+ be	+ present participle
He	would	be	staying
They	would	be	going

TO LIVE: PRESENT CONTINUOUS CONDITIONAL

Affirmative	Negative	Interrogative	Interrogative Negative
I would be living	I wouldn't be living	Would I be living?	Wouldn't I be living?
You would be living	You wouldn't be living	Would you be living?	Wouldn't you be living?
He would be living	He wouldn't be living	Would he be living?	Wouldn't he be living?
She would be living	She wouldn't be living	Would she be living?	Wouldn't she be living?
We would be living	We wouldn't be living	Would we be living?	Wouldn't we be living?
They would be living	They wouldn't be living	Would they be living?	Wouldn't they be living?